Fiji

When Richard Evanson purchased the uninhabited island of Nanuya Levu in 1972, it was denuded by goats, and had only a 10% tree-canopy. He made a commitment at that time to restore it to its original state and to help nature along in the healing process. The island is now internationally recognised as an outstanding example of how environmental and cultural sustainability can be integrated into a luxury tourism resort. It has demonstrated that a hotel can achieve financial success by being socially and environmentally responsible, and that responsible tourism is an integral part of the guest experience.

The resort conducts Environmental Audits every five years with the most recent being 2005. In 1999, a Cultural Audit was undertaken to examine the impact of the island on the surrounding communities. This audit, undertaken by Professor David Harrison from the University of North London, presented suggestions as to how we could enhance its achievements and empower the local people. A further Cultural Audit has just been completed, with results to be published later in 2006.

The accommodation has pursued a three-pronged environmental and social responsibility program. It has conducted medical clinics for 15 years, including eye clinics where more than 1000 cataract operations have been undertaken by volunteer doctors on needy patients at no charge.

This Fiji luxury resort has constructed a secondary school on the Island, to overcome the very low school retention rates in the local community after primary school. The secondary school has been operating for five years and now educates 52 young people from the seven villages surrounding the accommodation. This education is provided at no cost to the students or their parents, and is part of a program to educate the future leaders of the community.

Job creation is a major challenge in rural Fiji. The resort has been instrumental in creating over 150 new jobs in the last three years by building two budget resorts on village land abutting pristine beaches. These resorts, on islands separate from ours, have been given to the respective villages, with an obligation to repay the investment, interest-free, from the profits.

Evanson continues to play a guiding role on the Board of Directors of these resorts, with a view to a full-skills transfer over the next few years.

Both resorts are trading profitably, and it will only be a few more years until all their loans are fully paid off. Evanson has also undertaken a massive conservation effort through a reforestation program. 300,000 trees have been planted on the Island during his ownership, which has encouraged native species to return and prosper. The reestablishment of forests from indigenous trees prevents soil erosion, creates windbreaks, as well as enhancing the Island's natural beauty.

Evanson undertakes energy conservation through the creation of green energy using both wind and solar. An extensive composting and recycling program is carried out on the Island, as well as a campaign to save the local endangered Sea Turtles.

In 1993, Evanson established the Yasawas Community Foundation which is a central charitable fund for guest contributions, which are used to support the local communities. The Trustees include Richard and the chiefs of the local villages.

Amongst the many accolades is recognition in the 2004 World Legacy Awards, as one of the three most outstanding hotels in the world, for taking a leading role in environmental and socially responsible tourism. We were also selected as a finalist in the “Investor in People” section of the 2005 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards.