Mana Island, an idyllic sanctuary in the epicentre of Fiji’s breathtaking Mamanuca archipelago, has sold to Japanese property investment firm Rex Holdings Pty Ltd, who are looking to further job creation in the region. The deal, assisted by Pacific Trade Invest (PTI) Australia’s Impact Investment Manager, Leata Alaimoana-Roberts, comes at an ideal time as the Blue Pacific looks to revive its post-pandemic tourism industry.
The portfolio of new owners, Rex Holdings, is one that now extends throughout the Pacific, with the Mana Island investment their second in the region, following the previous backing of a separate entity in Port Vila, Vanuatu. With a strong hospitality focus in the Japanese market, the sale also presents an opportunity for the group to further expand throughout the Pacific region.
Currently employing more than 150 staff, this figure is expected to grow in coming months, with Rex Holdings committed to ensuring ample job creation in a post-pandemic environment. Secure under new ownership the resort will continue to be operated by local staff, while ongoing resort operations will remain unaffected by the sale.
With over 15 years hotel management experience in Vanuatu, Hiro Osuka, Director of REX Holdings Pty Ltd, said the acquisition of Mana Island Resort and Spa is a clear reflection of their business strategy.
“With Rex Holdings’ esteemed reputation as outstanding stewards of the properties and places in which it invests, our strategic shift into the Fijian market will not only diversify our management resources, but also contribute to the hospitality industry in-country while further enhancing cross-cultural communication between Fiji and Japan.
“Our management team are resolutely dedicated to delivering excellent guest experiences, and we look forward to working alongside local partners towards sustainable development growth across the Pacific region.”
In a move that highlights the optimistic sentiment of investors industry-wide, Alaimoana-Roberts says the sale of Mana Island and its associated resort and spa are proof of the many investment attraction options to be found throughout the Blue Pacific region.
“The sale demonstrates the revitalisation of tourism investment in the Pacific. The market has responded to a reinvigorated resort business in a region that is a first-rate tourism destination.
“For over two years now the tourism industry has been in a holding pattern. This major sale shows that businesses are willing to adapt and can have a strong future. Optimism around the removal of border restrictions and a return to tourism has started to drive activity and investors don’t want to miss this opportunity.
“It is through commercial opportunities like these that we are able to encourage jobs and further investment into the region, while acting as a major driver for impact on both an economic and community level. There is immense potential for growth within this space and we are proud to have been able to support Rex Holdings on this journey.”
Boasting an array of accommodation options, Mana Island Resort and Spa is home to five restaurants and four bars, two swimming pools, a water sports hub, a dive centre, boutique shop, several tennis courts and a kids club. Mana Island is considered one of Fiji’s premier island locations, given the ease of accessibility from Viti Levu, its high-quality land and marine environment, and the precedent that has been set by the existing standard of accommodation facilities.
As a world-renowned destination, Fiji enjoys direct flights from many international destinations including Australia, New Zealand and the USA. As the most popular travel destination in the South Pacific, the islands of Fiji account for close to 40 per cent of travel to the Pacific, a figure that continues to grow annually, with visitor arrivals having shown significant growth from 2000 to 2019, increasing from 300,000 annually to over 900,000.
If you would like to find out more about investment in the region, reach out to the team here.
