Only about 30 of the 900 staff are meaningfully employed by Hilton Fiji Beach Resort and Spa and DoubleTree Resort as the others have lost their jobs but the owners of the group of hotels are hoping locals can come and stay and take advantage of their reduced rates.
Area General Manager, David Wells says they are employing about 30 staff during the weekend when locals visit the hotels.
He says occupancy is not full like typical tourism times so they are happy to have any business to help stimulate some economic activity in the Western Division.
Wells says they have plans for the weekdays as people will be going on their annual breaks during the end of the year. He says they are planning to open on a full-time basis, seven days a week from the third week of December to the first week of January after which they will reassess and see if it is viable enough to stay open throughout.
Wells adds they will have their normal activities for the holiday season but this time it will be for the locals instead of international tourists.
He adds they have some special Christmas rates coming out next week which is going to be really discounted compared to other years.
Wells has also highlighted that rates at Hilton are one-third of their normal rates which begins from $218 per night with a complimentary upgrade to a one-bedroom beachfront villa, that includes breakfast for two adults and two children, free wifi and late checkout.
Rates at DoubleTree begin from $159 that includes breakfast for 2 adults and 2 children under the age of 8 and a range of other activities.
He also adds they need to survive and there is quite a significant holding cost whether they are open or closed as the resort must be maintained.
