The launch of the Damodar City Labasa Hotel under the Ramada Encore by Wyndham brand is expected to increase visitor numbers to Labasa and Vanua Levu.
This new hotel, which features 40 rooms, represents a major milestone as the first international hotel brand to set up in Labasa.
Speaking at the launch in Suva today, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Viliame Gavoka, described the new hotel as a “much-needed investment” that marks “a pivotal moment in our journey toward growth.”
Gavoka highlighted the government’s commitment to boosting tourism in Vanua Levu, which currently accounts for only 3 per cent of Fiji’s total tourist visits, and he underscored the North’s potential for sustainable growth, job creation, and increased income.
“We need to invest in substantially increasing that 3 per cent figure,” he said.
The development is part of a broader investment in the region’s future, with Damodar North Pte Limited investing $60 million into the comprehensive Damodar City Labasa project, of which $10 million has been allocated to the construction and fit-out of the new hotel.
The Damodar City Labasa Hotel is expected to have a positive ripple effect on the local economy.
“You don’t just employ people at the hotel, but create businesses for those who will sustain your hotel – the farmers, taxi drivers, and retail,” Gavoka said, “Today’s event is more than a celebration; it is a symbol of what is yet to come.”
He also highlighted the Fiji Government’s investment in Vanua Levu’s development, supported by a US$200 million World Bank-funded initiative.
“In the first phase, we are investing US$61.5 million,” Gavoka said, outlining plans to improve transport infrastructure, essential services, and local engagement in tourism.
