The FNPF-owned IHG Fiji Hotels portfolio has secured three Gold awards at the 2025 ANZ Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards (FETA), recognising excellence in training, events and emerging leadership across its Fiji operations.
The awards were presented on Saturday 28 February 2026 at Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort and Spa, bringing together tourism operators and industry leaders from across the country to celebrate achievements within Fiji’s tourism sector.
The IHG Fiji portfolio, which includes InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa, Grand Pacific Hotel Suva and Holiday Inn Suva, received the Gold award for Training and Development, highlighting the group’s continued investment in developing skills and career pathways for its teams.
InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa was also named Gold winner for Conference and Incentive Operator of the Year, recognising the resort’s strong performance in hosting meetings, conferences and incentive travel programmes.
Adding to the evening’s achievements, Akshay Chand, Portfolio Director of Information Technology for the FNPF-owned IHG Fiji Hotels portfolio, was awarded the Rising Star title in recognition of his leadership and contribution to the group’s operations.
This year’s awards attracted strong participation from across the tourism industry, with local reports noting 249 registrations and 65 finalists shortlisted across multiple categories, underscoring the competitiveness of the programme.
In addition to the three Gold awards, InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa also received a Silver award in the Community CSR category and a Bronze award for Spa InterContinental as Spa Operator of the Year, reflecting the resort’s continued commitment to community engagement and high-quality guest experiences.
Lachlan Walker, Regional General Manager for Fiji and the Pacific at IHG Hotels and Resorts, said the recognition reflects the dedication and professionalism of the teams across the portfolio.
“These awards recognise the consistency and care our teams bring to their work every day, whether that is developing our people, delivering complex group experiences or supporting our communities,” he said.
“They are also a strong endorsement of the standards, governance and long-term investment behind our operations in Fiji. On behalf of IHG, I want to thank our owners, the Fiji National Provident Fund, for their continued partnership and confidence in our teams. It is a privilege to represent Fiji through hospitality that is professional, warm and genuinely local.”
The recognition reinforces the portfolio’s ongoing focus on strengthening local capability, supporting communities and enhancing Fiji’s tourism offering through service excellence and professional development.
Akshay Chand said the Rising Star recognition was a reflection of the support and collaboration within the organisation.
“I am grateful for the recognition and proud to be part of a portfolio that backs its people. The award reflects the support I have received from my colleagues and leaders, and it motivates me to keep raising the bar for how we use technology to improve guest and team experiences,” he said.
The IHG Fiji Hotels portfolio acknowledged the organisers of the ANZ Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards, category sponsors and the wider tourism community, while also congratulating all winners and finalists for continuing to raise the standard of tourism experiences across Fiji.
