FNPF-owned IHG Fiji hotels have raised FJ$60,000 for two community causes in Fiji, with FJ$46,000 going towards refurbishment works at Sigatoka Hospital and a further FJ$14,000 being donated to the Sacred Heart Soup Kitchen in Suva.
The funds were raised through two initiatives held during September as part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ annual Giving for Good programme, bringing together hotel guests, staff, tourism and business partners to support people and services in local communities.
The largest contribution came from the Giving for Good Charity Golf Tournament, held on 26 September at Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course. The tournament brought together corporate partners, suppliers and supporters from across Fiji’s business and tourism sectors and raised FJ$46,000 for refurbishment work at Sigatoka Hospital.
The contribution will support improvements to the hospital, helping strengthen a health facility that serves communities in the Sigatoka and wider Nadroga-Navosa area.
The fundraising continued throughout September through the hotels’ Stay for Good campaign in support of the Sacred Heart Soup Kitchen in Suva. FJ$1 from every eligible room night stayed at InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa, Grand Pacific Hotel Suva and Holiday Inn Suva during the month was pledged to the organisation, generating a further FJ$14,000.
The Sacred Heart Soup Kitchen provides meals and care to people experiencing hardship and vulnerability in the Suva community. The initiative is led by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Suva and relies on support from volunteers and donors to continue its community meal programme.
Together, the two initiatives show how Fiji’s tourism and hospitality sector can extend its contribution beyond the visitor experience, using hotel operations, partnerships and guest participation to support community needs.
Lachlan Walker, Regional General Manager, Fiji and Pacific, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said the fundraising reflected the contribution of guests, sponsors, business partners and hotel teams who came together to support causes within the communities where the hotels operate.
“Giving for Good is about using the reach of hospitality to make a meaningful difference in the communities where we operate. The success of this year’s fundraising activities reflects the generosity of our guests, sponsors, business partners and hotel teams, who came together to support important community causes,” he said.
The fundraising was carried out across InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa, Grand Pacific Hotel Suva and Holiday Inn Suva, all of which are owned by the Fiji National Provident Fund.
Giving for Good is IHG Hotels & Resorts’ annual global initiative supporting community engagement, fundraising and volunteering. In Fiji, the September programme brought together hospitality workers, guests, businesses and community organisations around practical initiatives supporting health and social wellbeing.
The charity golf tournament was made possible through the support of sponsors and partners from across Fiji’s business, tourism and hospitality sectors.
Gold Sponsors were Hydro Sports Fiji, Ramsami & Sons, Cost U Less, Motibhai, Markwell Foods / Five Star Foods, Mannat Investment Pte Ltd and International Hotel Suppliers.
Silver Sponsors were Goodman Fielder International, Pro Pack and Nivis Motors.
Bronze Sponsors were Fiji Weddings, Vision Commercial and Vantex Solutions.
Supporting Partners were Fiji Airways, Sheraton Fiji, Yatule, Tanoa Hotels, Maui Palms, Victoria Wines, Malamala Beach Club, South Sea Sailing, VaiWai, Premium Sign Crafters, Pure Fiji, Denarau Golf Club, Vinod Patel and Tappoos.
The combined FJ$60,000 raised through the September initiatives will support two very different community needs, from improvements to a regional hospital in the west to the provision of food and care for vulnerable people in Suva. It also highlights the contribution that coordinated support from Fiji’s hospitality and business communities can make to organisations working directly with people who need assistance.
