TravelOnline, a major Australian Tour Operator that sends over 27,000 passengers to Fiji annually in partnership with its ground operator Rosie Holidays, has injected $250,000 into the Koroipita community.
The township is a community with over 300 homes, and 1330 residents, from low-income families that enjoy the safety of a cyclone-certified home, running water, electricity, recreational facilities, and supported income generating and advancement projects.
In 2019, the management team from TravelOnline joined a Rosie Holidays community outreach program building homes at the Koroipita Township outside of Lautoka.
When the borders re-opened in 2023, TravelOnline visited Koroipita and awarded a long term contract to the Koroipita Micro-enterprise Sewing Boutique to produce cotton beach bags that would be gifted to every TravelOnline client arriving in Fiji.
Each cotton bag is machine stitched with a unique tropical design and includes a welcome card sharing the Koroipita story.
The boutique has produced over 12,000 beach bags, generating a sales revenue of over $250,000 and providing full-time employment to four women in the community.
TravelOnline Managing Director, Glenn Checkley says they are aware of the impact COVID-19 had on the Fijian tourism industry and Fiji’s economy.
Checkley says as part of their commitment to help everyday Fijians get back on their feet, their ground agent Rosie Holidays introduced them to the Koroipita sewing boutique in 2023.
They donated new sewing machines and the Family Advancement team together with Sew Aid provided training.
Rosie Holidays Managing Director, Tony Whitton, who is also a Trustee of Koroipita Model Town sasy the Beach Bag project is another example of how the tourism dollar circulates to everyone in Fiji.
He says TravelOnline shares their belief that tourism has the power to improve the social and economic well-being of every Fijian.
Whitton says they have been involved in Koroipita for over 20 years building homes, pathways, playgrounds and even their kindergarten.
In recognition of TravelOnline’s contribution to the Koroipita community, the Board of Trustees has named a street in the company’s honour.
The official street naming ceremony will take place tomorrow.
