Kaori Media

13/09/2026

🗣️ Interview with Hon. Bill Gavoka, Deputy Prime Minister & Minister for Tourism & Civil Aviation of Fiji, for an upcoming Los Angeles Times report on Fiji 🇫🇯

🌏 Strategic Vision: After a swift post-COVID recovery that exceeded 2019 arrival numbers within a year, Fiji is now focused on quality and sustainability. With tourism driving over 40% of GDP, the immediate priority is closing the gap between strong airline capacity and room availability, around 4,000 new rooms are being built, backed by some of the best developer incentives anywhere.

🗺️ Spreading the Benefits: Today ~80% of tourism sits in just two of Fiji's 14 provinces. Under its sustainable tourism framework, the government is expanding across the archipelago's 330 islands, including a 10-year, ~US$200 million World Bank initiative to open up Vanua Levu.

🌺 A True Point of Difference: "Where Happiness Comes Naturally" tells the whole Fijian story. Culture isn't confined to a centre, it's lived daily in every village, rooted in tradition and the principle of sharing. As Halle Berry observed on a recent visit: the happiness isn't manufactured, it's authentic.

🏘️ Community Tourism: Alongside ~20 ultra-high-end properties like Kokomo Private Island Fijiand Laucala Island and a deep mix of five- to three-star resorts, village stays and community tourism are taking off, channelling benefits directly to rural communities and holding people in their home environments.

🇺🇸 US Market: America is now Fiji's third-largest source market, with June marking the highest number of American visitors in history. California is a major market, and Fiji is increasingly a family destination for US travellers.

✈️ Open Skies: An open-skies agreement lets any US carrier fly into Fiji and Fiji Airways serve any US port, a huge advantage. Current links include San Francisco, Los Angeles and Honolulu, with Fiji the natural gateway to the wider Pacific.

🐠 Protecting Nature: Government and traditional fishing-rights owners are establishing marine protected areas across the islands, allowing reefs to regenerate remarkably quickly, and creating new eco-tourism opportunities around healthy reefs.

🤝 Regional Leadership: As the hub of the Pacific, home to universities, global organisations and the Pacific Tourism Organisation, Fiji champions multi-destination travel and supports neighbours' aviation, even offering to operate airlines on their behalf.

💬 Final Message: "The experience starts the moment you board Fiji Airways. Fiji is another world, comfortable, peaceful and good for the senses. From a high-pressure life in California, you come here and time slows right down. People arrive for a couple of days and end up extending, because it's very hard to find what you have in Fiji anywhere else."

Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation

1. How are you reshaping Fiji’s tourism strategy to prioritize quality and sustainability, and what does success now look like for the country?

11/09/2026

🗣️ Interview with H.E. Renso Herrera, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to the UAE, for an upcoming Gulf News report on the Dominican Republic 🇩🇴

🤝 Deepening Ties: After 17 years of diplomatic relations, the past three have brought renewed political dialogue and cooperation. President Luis Abinader's participation in the World Governments Summit - القمة العالمية للحكومات 2026 signalled the priority both nations place on a partnership built on strong strategic complementarity, the UAE a global hub linking markets, capital and innovation; the Dominican Republic a stable, connected hub at the heart of the Americas.

🌍 Cap Cana Dialogue: The World Governments Summit Dialogue for Latin America and the Caribbean (20–21 Nov 2026) positions the DR as a bridge between the Gulf and the Americas, convening 30+ countries around public-sector innovation, AI, digital transformation and investment facilitation.

💼 Investment Magnet: The 7th-largest economy in Latin America and the Caribbean recorded US$5 billion in FDI in 2025, a fourth consecutive record. Six trade agreements give investors access to 1.2 billion+ consumers across the US, EU, UK and CARICOM. Priority sectors: logistics, tourism, renewable energy, agribusiness, advanced manufacturing and technology.

✈️ Two-Way Logistics Bridge: With eight international airports, 17 cargo and cruise ports and 380+ daily flights, the DR is the competitive gateway westward while the UAE opens markets east. DP World's emerging collaboration with Punta Cana Airport aims to build an integrated air-sea logistics hub.

🏖️ Tourism & Events: The leading Caribbean destination welcomed 11.8 million visitors in 2025, generating US$11.2 billion. Beyond luxury, golf, wellness and cruise tourism, convention and business tourism, paired with UAE expertise in exhibitions and hospitality, offers major growth potential.

🔩 Strategic Sectors: Free zones host 860+ companies across 95+ industrial parks, exporting US$8.6 billion and supporting 200,000+ jobs. Building on medical devices and electronics, the DR is entering the semiconductor value chain in assembly, testing and packaging, a natural fit for UAE capital and ambition.

📜 Legal Certainty: The two nations are finalising agreements on investment promotion/protection and double-taxation avoidance, reinforcing predictability for investors on both sides.

💬 Final Message: "The Dominican Republic is open for partnership, ready for investment and positioned for growth. For UAE businesses, we offer a gateway to the Americas. The UAE has shown the world what ambition, innovation and disciplined ex*****on can achieve; the DR is pursuing its own transformation through Meta RD 2036. Together, we can turn complementarity into shared prosperity."

1. Relations between the Dominican Republic and the UAE have continued to deepen. How would you describe the evolution of bilateral relationships, and what are the main opportunities for strengthening diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties?

10/09/2026

🇩🇴 We're excited to launch our series of interviews in the Dominican Republic for our upcoming special report in Gulf News, exploring how the country is strengthening its position in tourism, investment, sustainability, and innovation.

Located at the crossroads of the Americas, the Dominican Republic is emerging as the region's leading hub for premium tourism, foreign investment, and near shoring opportunities. As the largest economy in the Caribbean and Central America, growing 2.2% in 2025 and projected to expand 3.7% in 2026 (IMF), it welcomed a record 11.6 million visitors last year and attracted a historic US$5.03 billion in FDI, its fourth consecutive record.

The deepening of ties with the UAE further highlights the country's growing strategic importance, with DP World investing over US$700 million in port and logistics infrastructure at the Caucedo hub, alongside expanding Gulf cooperation in energy, real estate, and tourism. This momentum will be anchored by the World Governments Summit - القمة العالمية للحكومات – Latin America and the Caribbean, which the Dominican Republic will host in Cap Cana on 20–21 November 2026.

As global attention on the region continues to grow, the Dominican Republic stands out as a forward-looking destination fostering sustainable growth and international collaboration.

09/09/2026

🗣️ Interview with Mr. Ravinesh Deo, CEO of Evergreen International Fiji LLC (Wormald Fire and Security - Fiji and Guardforce Fiji), for an upcoming report Los Angeles Times on Fiji 🇫🇯

🛡️ Two Trusted Names: A Fiji-based subsidiary of an American company, Evergreen International Fiji operates through Guardforce Fiji, providing security to embassies, commercial clients and border operations for over 55 years, and Wormald Fire and Security, delivering electronic security and fire suppression backed by managers with 35+ years of experience each.

🤝 Partnership First: The philosophy is simple, understand each client, their business and their needs, while ensuring their safety and security. From an economic view, the contribution is stability and the confidence that Fiji is safe and secure for business.

🔥 Resilient Infrastructure: As businesses, hotels and public facilities recognise the importance of preparedness, Wormald installs and monitors sprinklers, fire alarms and electronic security, progressively bringing new technologies from Australia and New Zealand into Fiji.

🏝️ Securing Tourism: At one of Fiji's prestigious resorts, motivated security officers, aviation security staff and fire-truck drivers keep visitors and employees safe. Most clients pay above minimum wage, because happy people and a positive environment ultimately serve the client.

📡 Technology & Scale: CCTV, alarm systems and individual duress buttons are monitored through a 24/7 station, backed by mobile patrol teams for rapid response. The workforce of ~1,405 is growing towards a target of 1,600 as demand rises.

🌏 International Standards: Sister company Wormald Australia and Armourguard New Zealand provide training, workshops and train-the-trainer programmes. That international exchange, running both ways, continuously lifts the quality of work in Fiji.

🇺🇸 US Opportunity: American companies value clear compliance standards, and as a company already following US standards, Evergreen understands them well. With Armourguard Security support, it launched a cash-in-transit business that now serves four of Fiji's five banks.

🎯 People-First Growth: Priorities are recruiting, retaining and developing the right people, including retaining a 10% FNPF contribution and partnering with educational institutions to give students paid work opportunities. Retention, stability and training first; business growth follows.

💬 Final Message: "Fiji is heading in the right direction. Businesses now understand the importance of identifying and mitigating risks, and creating better conditions for Fiji to grow. Fiji has great multinational representation, harmony and strong relationships between people, it's about working together."

1. Can you begin by introducing Evergreen International Fiji and its two key businesses, Wormald Fire and Security and Guardforce Fiji? What role do the companies play in Fiji’s business and economic environment?

07/09/2026

🗣️ Interview with Mr. Nikul Khatri, Director of Jacks of Fiji, for an upcoming Los Angeles Times report on Fiji 🇫🇯

🏪 The Journey: Founded in 1969 as a small handicraft store in Nadi Town, Jacks of Fiji has grown organically into a diversified family group spanning retail, restaurants, a garment factory, construction, agriculture and wellness, today operating more like a department store across fashion, jewellery, handicrafts, beauty and more.

🌺 Guiding Mission: "Proudly sharing the Fijian spirit." Never a traditional duty-free retailer, Jacks stays true to its roots, helping visitors take home something meaningful that tells a deeper story about Fiji, from a hand-carved tanoa to authentic local craft.

🛡️ Built-in Resilience: Because Fiji's economy is closely tied to tourism and its external shocks, Jacks deliberately built a strong domestic customer base, with in-house garment production and construction giving it control over quality, supply and its own expansion.

🇺🇸 The American Visitor: US travellers, increasingly from California and the West Coast, bring strong purchasing power and, having made a longer journey, seek the exotic and memorable. They know what they want: authenticity, something they cannot find back home.

💎 Championing Local: Jacks provides market access to unique Fijian producers, Civa Pearls (gold, pink and blue tones from the same oyster as Tahitian pearls) and Fiji Mabé half-pearls, developed with remote communities, the Ministry of Fisheries and Australian research support. A new in-store art gallery showcases local artists.

🎨 Design Fiji: A new initiative giving local designers a platform, and royalties, to feature their work on Jacks products. Alongside iconic bula shirts, it connects creative talent across Fiji with the world.

🌱 Responsible Business: Sourcing directly from craftspeople ensures artisans receive fair value, with relationships spanning generations. As native vesi hardwood grows scarce, Jacks supports replanting to protect Fiji's natural heritage for the future.

🔭 Looking Ahead: The most exciting projects bring Fiji's story to life, Design Fiji, Mabé pearls, local art and unique product development, creating experiences visitors "cannot find anywhere else," delivered through the genuine warmth of its people.

💬 Final Message: "When visitors come here, I'd encourage them not only to enjoy their resort but to take time to explore the country, meet people and discover everything Fiji has beyond the hotel. Retail is often the final part of the journey, our opportunity to help travellers take a piece of Fiji home."

1. Jacks of Fiji has grown into one of the country's most recognized names, spanning retail, tourism, hospitality, and commercial services. Can you walk us through the key milestones in that evolution, and what has held the brand together as it expanded across such different sectors?

03/09/2026

🗣️ Interview with Ms. Gaetane Austin and Ms. Andree Austin, Founders of Pure Fiji, for an upcoming Los Angeles Times report on Fiji 🇫🇯

🌱 The Origin Story: Pure Fiji began on a kitchen table 30 years ago, wrapping soaps and crafting masi bark-cloth kits for Fiji Airways. A breakthrough came with DME technology, extracting coconut oil without heat, even at village level, making Pure Fiji the first company to bottle coconut oil in Fiji and a pioneer of virgin coconut oil in skincare.

🌺 Tradition Meets Technology: The brand revived forgotten Fijian botanicals, Dilo, Sikeci and macadamia oils, and combined centuries-old medicinal knowledge with modern extraction to create hydrosols, soaps and spa products with genuine international appeal.

✨ Authenticity: "We are made in Fiji." While some brands carry the Fiji name but are made elsewhere, Pure Fiji has manufactured on the islands for 30 years, roots that run three generations deep. That authenticity is the brand.

🇺🇸 US Market: The US was Pure Fiji's first international market, starting in 1998 at Utah's Red Mountain Resort. A premium spa brand, never mass-market, it thrives on the West Coast and in New York, Florida and Las Vegas, selling into high-end spas like the Ritz-Carlton.

🤝 Community Impact: With 220 employees where machines could do the work of 20, Pure Fiji deliberately keeps production by hand. "Where there's a hand, there's a heart and a soul." Oils, woven baskets and highland handmade paper generate income that has sent weavers' children to university.

🍃 Sustainability: Much of the sourcing is wild-harvested, reducing the need for fertilising and watering. Botanicals grow on "island time", seeds are gathered by hand when they naturally drop at their prime, never forced.

💡 Innovation: Reinventing every year, recent launches include Black Pearl, Sea Grapes, Citrus and Mokosoi, with more in development. Fiji's natural abundance keeps the creative pipeline exciting.

🌍 Vision: Selective and deeply rooted, Pure Fiji would rather do each market well than chase quick sales, supplying New Zealand, Australia and the Cook Islands, and expanding into the EU. Having turned down outside investors many times, this family business is protecting its soul.

💬 Final Message: "One of our mission statements is 'not to be the best in the world, but to be the best for the world.' Fiji is a paradise, we couldn't think of any place better to live, and we're passionate about it."

1. Could you begin by telling us the story behind Pure Fiji and the vision that led you to build the company? How has the business evolved since its beginning?

01/09/2026

🗣️ Interview with Ms. Carey Osborne, Cluster General Manager of Hilton Fiji, for an upcoming Los Angeles Times report on Fiji 🇫🇯

🏝️ Strategic Vision: Celebrating 20 years in Fiji, Hilton has helped shape the country's modern hospitality landscape. Its portfolio, Hilton Fiji Beach Resort & Spa, DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Fiji and the forthcoming DoubleTree by Hilton Suva, pairs trusted global standards with the warmth, generosity and cultural authenticity of Fiji.

👥 People at the Heart: Of nearly 900 team members, only six are expatriates, a source of immense pride. The long-term vision is hotels led by Fijians, for Fijians, with clear pathways into leadership. Many team members have gone on to roles in Australia, New Zealand, the US, Canada and the UK.

🌺 Vuvale Welcome: Guests are welcomed into the "vuvale", family. Service comes from the heart, driving a large return-client base. Hilton offers the reassurance of global standards delivered with a deeply personal, distinctly Fijian sense of home.

🇺🇸 US Opportunity: Increased Fiji Airways capacity to San Francisco, Los Angeles and Dallas has been game-changing. For American travellers, a trusted brand, world-class accommodation and a compelling value proposition, easily packaged with Australia or New Zealand, make Fiji hard to resist.

🏨 Three Distinct Experiences: Hilton Fiji Beach Resort & Spa brings the energy of a 359-key beachfront resort with nine pools and daily cultural experiences; Sonaisali Island is a relaxed "disconnect to reconnect" escape; and DoubleTree Suva will serve the capital's corporate, government and diplomatic travellers with harbour views.

🌱 Travel with Purpose: Through Glass Crushing for Bricks, almost 18 tonnes of glass has been diverted, cutting cyclone-resilient brick costs from ~FJ$8.30 to ~FJ$2.80. Linens for Life, Soap for Hope, Meals on Wheels, mangrove planting and tapioca straws all reduce waste and strengthen communities.

📈 Growth Ahead: Major investment continues, DoubleTree Suva opens, Sonaisali is refreshed, and the flagship Beach Resort enters a new chapter with room upgrades, refreshed dining, a new lobby, larger gym and purpose-built day spa. The US remains a key focus, alongside Europe, Asia and core ANZ markets.

💬 Final Message: "Come somewhere you are genuinely welcomed with heartfelt, authentic hospitality, in a pristine environment. Whether on the water, in our highlands, rainforests or rivers, Fiji has something for every age and every traveller. Our team will welcome you into our vuvale, our family, and make you feel like one of us."

1. How does Hilton Fiji contribute to Fiji’s evolving hospitality landscape, and what is your overall vision for the portfolio?

31/08/2026

🗣️ Interview with Mr. Sheraj Obeyesekere, CEO of the South Pacific Stock Exchange (SPX), for an upcoming Los Angeles Times report on 🇫🇯

📈 Strategic Vision: The South Pacific Stock Exchange (SPX) operates Fiji's capital market, a national securities exchange licensed by the Reserve Bank of Fiji. Its core mandate is capital formation: channelling savings from everyday Fijians, pension funds and institutions towards companies that need capital to grow, complementing the banking sector as a strong alternative source of funding.

🏢 Raising Capital: Companies can list shares or issue corporate bonds through SPX. Since mid-2024, two IPOs and one corporate bond issuance were all oversubscribed, clear evidence of investor appetite and a deep pool of Fiji-dollar capital corporates can tap for growth.

🎯 Attracting Listings: SPX takes a hands-on, one-on-one approach to bring family-owned businesses to market, addressing concerns about control and disclosure. A government incentive offers listed companies a 10% tax break for their first seven years, driving a notable rise in interest.

🛡️ Investor Confidence: Market integrity is fundamental in a small market. SPX has tightened surveillance, is reviewing its listing rules with an international consultant, and pairs regulation with education, working with the UN Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative on governance, gender equality and sustainability reporting.

🌏 Pacific Exposure: One of just two Pacific exchanges, SPX offers exposure to 21 leading Fijian companies and the region's most sophisticated economy. Working closely with PNGX, the ambition is to pitch the Pacific collectively and pursue frontier-market classification.

💻 Digital Innovation: SPX is finalising a new trading and depository system to enable mobile-based trading, vital across a nation of many islands with a young, digitally connected population.

👥 Broadening Participation: With institutions holding ~89% of shares and individuals just 11%, SPX is campaigning to reach everyday Fijians, including outer villages, aiming to lift retail participation to 20–30% and deepen liquidity.

🌱 Sustainability: Beyond strengthening the corporate bond market, thematic instruments like green and blue bonds could attract global institutional capital into the Pacific's climate-resilience and renewable-energy projects.

💬 Final Message: "If you're looking for investment exposure to the Pacific, Fiji is a well-regulated, stable economy with strong foundations, political stability, solid foreign-exchange reserves, a resilient tourism sector and internationally linked banks. Being a small economy doesn't mean being volatile. Our long-term ambition is that an institution on Wall Street seeking regulated exposure to this region would say: SPX in Fiji is where I go."

1. How do you see the South Pacific Stock Exchange contributing to economic growth, capital formation and private sector development?‍

27/08/2026

🗣️ Interview with Mr. Mesake Seavula Nawari, CEO of Fiji Airports, for an upcoming Los Angeles Times report on Fiji 🇫🇯

🛬 Strategic Vision: Fiji Airports is far more than an airport operator, it's a key enabler of tourism, trade, investment and national development. It manages 15 public airports, including Nadi International, plus air traffic services across roughly six million square kilometres of Pacific airspace. The vision: to become the world-class aviation hub for the Blue Pacific.

📊 Scale & Growth: In 2025 the network handled over 4.05 million passenger movements and 104,093 aircraft movements, with international traffic up 2.7% and domestic up 3.5%. Every arriving aircraft brings visitors, business, trade and family connections. When Fiji Airports succeeds, Fiji succeeds.

🏗️ Modernisation: A masterplan identifies over $1 billion in planned investment through 2034, runways, taxiways, aprons, terminals, baggage systems, emergency services and digital technology. In 2025 alone, work progressed on aerobridge replacement, pavement upgrades and outer-island connectivity, with safety certification maintained across all 15 airports.

🇺🇸 US Market: The United States is Fiji's third-largest source market. Arrivals grew ~9.6% to 118,148 in 2025, 12% of all visitors, with California and the West Coast especially important. From arrival, travellers are welcomed through "Your Bula Experience."

🌱 Sustainability: Nadi International has achieved Level 4 "Transformation" under the Airport Carbon Accreditation Programme. A new 3.25-megawatt solar farm will meet current demand with ~25% to spare, expandable to 8–10MW, alongside EVs, charging stations and energy-efficient infrastructure.

🌀 Climate Resilience: As a Pacific island nation, resilience is built into how airports are planned and operated, resilient engineering, stronger infrastructure, business-continuity planning and emergency preparedness. Airports are vital during disasters, moving people, relief supplies and essential services.

🤝 Economic Engine: Fiji Airports directly employs 601 people and supports wider jobs across tourism, hospitality, retail, logistics and construction. Its outer-island airports give communities access to healthcare, education, trade and government services.

💬 Final Message: "Fiji has always been known for its natural beauty, culture and the warmth of its people, and today we're strengthening our position as one of the Pacific's leading aviation gateways. From the moment you arrive, our commitment is a journey that is safe, seamless and memorable, welcoming you with the true spirit of Bula. We look forward to welcoming you to our islands."

1. Fiji Airports plays a role that extends well beyond operating airports. How would you describe its contribution to Fiji’s economy and national development?

27/08/2026

🗣️ Interview with Mr. Paul Scurrah, Managing Director & CEO of Fiji Airways, for an upcoming Los Angeles Times report on Fiji 🇫🇯

✈️ Strategic Vision: As it approaches its 75th anniversary, Fiji Airways sees itself as the economic heartbeat of Fiji and the Pacific, intrinsically linked to a nation where tourism drives around 40% of GDP. Its greatest point of difference? Happiness. "We believe ourselves to be the world's happiest airline," a promise rooted in the natural warmth of the Fijian people.

🌐 Connectivity Hub: Serving 37 destinations across 14 countries, Fiji Airways connects Australia, New Zealand, the US, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore. Increasingly, travellers are choosing to stop over in Fiji, a smooth, refreshing break in long-haul journeys, and a chance to fall in love with the islands.

🇺🇸 US Growth Market: North America, especially California and the US West Coast, is the airline's most important growth market, with some now calling Fiji "the new Hawaii." Partnerships with American Airlines and Alaska Airlines, plus boosted San Francisco and Vancouver services, are fuelling expansion.

🧘 FlyWell Wellness: A world-first onboard wellness program tackles the challenges of long-haul travel, from wearable anti-swelling tech and circadian-rhythm glasses to red-light therapy in the lounge. Paired with a modern A350 and 737 MAX 8 fleet, it's redefining premium comfort.

🌱 Maroroya Sustainability: New aircraft that are ~25% more fuel-efficient, a mangrove tree planted for every take-off and landing, solar arrays, electric ground vehicles, bamboo blankets and trials of sustainable aviation fuel from Fiji's sugar industry, no nation feels climate risk more acutely than the Pacific.

🤝 Global Alliances: Full oneworld Alliance membership unlocks 900+ destinations worldwide and lends credibility alongside American Airlines, Qantas, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines and Alaska Airlines, delivering a smooth, predictable journey for every passenger.

📈 Economic Engine: Beyond aviation, Fiji Airways co-owns a hotel group opening three new properties this year, invests heavily in leadership and diversity, and helped Fiji surpass one million annual visitors for the first time in its history, opening greenfield investment opportunities for US partners.

💬 Final Message: "I'd invite anyone in California, or the US, to put us to the test, not just the airline, but whether Fiji is as happy as people say. The experience is world-class yet very affordable, and your dollar goes a long way here. Come and see if we really are the world's happiest airline. I think it will be good."

1. Fiji Airways has become one of the South Pacific's most respected airlines. What's your vision for strengthening the airline's position as a leading regional carrier and a key driver of Fiji's global connectivity?