Australia, Sydney – 30 May 2023: The multi-award winning luxury resort InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa has announced a lineup of new sustainability initiatives today, ahead of World Environment Day (5 June). With sustainable travel on the rise, as shown by Expedia’s Sustainable Travel Study, these new programs were designed for Aussie holidaymakers of all ages, and include the Coral Reef Restoration Program, on-site herb garden at the Spa InterContinental and Natadola Honey Bee Hives project.
The new initiatives help to bolster the resort’s ongoing commitments to sustainability which also includes regular beach clean-ups, food waste management, phasing out single-use plastic in bathrooms, IHG’s ‘A Greener Stay’ initiative, and more.
Australian cricketer Alex Carey and his family recently participated in the new initiatives while visiting the resort, giving them a holiday to remember for years to come.
Carey says “’Incorporating eco-friendly activities into our holiday not only provided us with endless hours of fun with our kids but it was also a great way to help give back to the environment whilst travelling. It’s great to see resorts like InterContinental Fiji incorporating their commitment to sustainability into hands-on activities for travellers to experience.”
“The highlight of our holiday to Fiji was embarking on the Coral Reef Restoration Program at InterContinental Fiji. The kids loved it! The resort’s Marine Biologist was really insightful and we got to marvel at the marine life whilst collecting coral fragments to give them a new home,” continues Carey. (https://www.tmjandsleep.com.au/)
Lachlan Walker, Area General – South Pacific, IHG, expressed the significance of providing greener stays for travellers. He stated, “Post-Covid, we understand that guests are increasingly conscious of their environmental impact while travelling, and Australians form the majority of our guests. As a leading luxury resort in Fiji, we believe we are in a position to help drive the change in attitudes towards travelling sustainability through offering educational and first-hand experiences that our guests can participate in, which can also in turn help to preserve the beautiful ecosystem of Natadola Beach. We are excited to be adding new initiatives to our suite of ongoing sustainability efforts”.
New Sustainability Initiatives at InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa
Protecting the Coral Reefs
The coral propagation program was started in collaboration with Reef Safari, with the aim to rebuild reef structures by placing coral fragments on metal frames around the resort’s house reef, rejuvenating the reef, and growing them over time. With reef structure restored, fish life will move there and in the longer term, result in the recruitment of more coral larvae to the area.
Guided by the Resorts Marine Biologist Makalesi Nalasi, guests will begin by making “cookies”, a cement ball structure, followed by a boat ride to rescue coral fragments for planting, then taken to a dedicated site for transferring coral fragments and attaching them to the cookies. The marine biologist will then place it in the water. Guests of all ages can participate in the immersive experience and contribute to the restoration of the marine ecosystem. InterContinental Fiji plans to plant 3,000 coral fragments over the next twelve months.
Coral Reef Restoration Program: Every Sunday from 11 June, 9AM FJT, Reef Safari Dive Shop near Toba Bar & Grill. FJD $99 per pax
For guests who are keen to learn about the rich marine ecosystem at Natadola Bay, the resort’s restoration efforts, and the impact of the work being done, they can join the twice-weekly presentations conducted by the resident Marine Biologist at Kama Lounge & Bar.
Coral Reef Protection Presentations: Every Monday and Friday, 4pm FJT, Kama Lounge & Bar
Elevated Bliss at Spa InterContinental Herb Garden
At Spa InterContinental, relaxation is taken to a whole new level with the new Herb Garden. This experiential highlight combines elements and visuals of nature harmoniously to relax, restore and inspire the mind, body, and spirit. Freshly grown herbs add a touch of Fijian magic to the pampering spa experience, whether it’s the treatment, an infused tea, or a smoothie, nourishing both body and soul. During the Spa Herb Garden Tour, guests will get to sample infused tea and sesame honey bars.
Spa Herb Garden Tour: Every Tuesday and Thursday, 9.00 AM
Indulge in Homegrown Honey
When enjoying breakfast at Navo restaurant and Club InterContinental, guests will have the opportunity to obtain honey straight from the honeycomb, ensuring they enjoy the freshest honey possible while adding a touch of fun to the experience. The home-grown raw honey is also used in Spa InterContinental’s Signature Natadola Bay Honey Retreat, where the journey begins with a luxurious sugar and honey scrub, then a yoghurt honey wrap followed by a facial.
To date, beekeeper Simione Neirube has set up six beehives in the Engineering gardens, each containing approximately 10,000 bees. Around ten litres of honey are harvested from all the hives every three months.
Breakfast at Navo Specialty-Dining: 7:00am – 10:30am daily, for adults only
In addition to the above programs and activities, InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa also offers the following initiatives to guests:
Natadola Beach Clean-Up
Natadola Beach has been recognized as one of the best beaches in the world, with its powdery white sand and crystal-clear waters stretching as far as the eye can see. InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa conducts monthly Beach Clean-Up Days to protect this pristine environment and collect litter around Natadola Bay. Staff members, local organisations, and guests work together to keep the beach clean, protect our ocean, and raise awareness about litter and single-use plastic pollution.
Natadola Beach Clean-Up: Enquire with the Leisure Concierge team (located near the Family Pool), 8:00am – 7:30pm daily
Phasing Out Single-Use Plastic Bathroom Amenities in Guest Rooms
Since March 2023, InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa has phased out all single-use plastic bottles of bathroom amenities in guest rooms and public areas and replaced them with bulk amenities. Guests can still expect to access the same high-quality amenities they have come to enjoy except they will now be provided in larger refillable containers. The amenities are supplied by the award-winning, locally owned, and produced Pure Fiji, which offers a range of Pure Fiji products that incorporate traditional Fijian blends and provide natural care for a discerning consumer.
Food Waste Management
With up to 700 guests eating at the resort each day, there is inevitably food waste. To tackle this issue, the resort works with the farmers from Sanasana village to ensure that the leftover food is collected and repurposed as feed for the piggery owned by Tukai.
A Greener Stay
Launched in December 2022, ‘A Greener Stay’ provides IHG guests staying two nights or more with the option to opt out of housekeeping services and, in return, receive 500 IHG ® One Rewards points per night. To participate, guests simply have to hang a sign outside their door or inform the Front Desk. This program is aligned with IHG® Green Engage to help hotels with water and energy conservation. All IHG hotels worldwide use the Green Engage system, an innovative online environmental sustainability system that gives hotels the means to measure and manage their environmental impact.
