Page 41 - Fiji Traveller Issue 1
P. 41

Apisai Vasu: A jack of all trades






        By Kite Pareti                                      tournament. So it was like a double celebration!”
                                                             In 2012, Vasu was recognised as ‘Frontliner of the Year’ for his
         Plantation Island Resort’s Sales and Relationships Manager,   service to Fiji’s tourism sector at the 15th AON Fiji Excellence
        Apisai Vasu, is quite literally, a jack of all trades.  Tourism Awards, just one of the many accolades he has received.
         Vasu has been at Plantation  for more than 20 years, joining as   Vasu says his success and experiences reflect his beginnings.
        a trainee straight out of the Fiji Institute of Technology’s tourism   “My upbringing was not an easy one, but I thank God for my
        and hospitality school.                             parents…  They  were  my  ‘first  school’,  I  would  say.  They’ve
         “From tourism school, I joined PIR doing reception work,   always encouraged me to remain humble and to keep trusting in
        reservations, and I also looked after our medical centre for a   God, and believe that with God, everything is possible.”
        while,” says Vasu.                                   Plantation Island Resort reopened its doors in April this year,
         In his current role, Vasu’s responsibilities are on-site sales and   although Vasu was fortunate enough to keep working throughout
        events, particularly weddings.                      the Covid-19 shutdowns. Without guests on the island, this meant
         “I’m also overseeing the activities department. That consists   filling other roles, such as being the resort’s night security officer.
        of water sports, and also our kids club. We just opened our new   “I was blessed to be working here during the pandemic. From
        $1.5 million kids club.”                            300 staff members, I was one of the three staff members that was
         But  perhaps  one  of  Vasu’s  most  important  functions  is  as   still on-site,” he says.
        on-island civil marriage celebrant, a role he also fills at sister   Vasu reflects that even though Covid-19 was a “big mountain”
        properties, Lomani Island Resort and at the Fiji Gateway Hotel.   to overcome, he chooses to view it positively as it reconnected
         “One of our hotel directors suggested that I become a Civil   families and friends. “It has taught me to keep sharing, even the
        Marriage Celebrant. I asked myself whether I could do it, and   little you can offer.”
        our director said I could. So I applied at Suvavou House and
        got it on the same day that the Fiji Sevens Rugby team won a   plantationisland.com





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