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Kindergarten capers for Conua kiddies as Outrigger Fiji announces new community tourism project

RELEASE NUMBER 11/16

BRISBANE,  AUSTRALIA — The kindergarten, which will take 11 months to construct at a cost of FJD$80,000, will be built at the Conua School under the supervision of Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort’s engineering team.

This follows the opening last November of the village meeting and school hall bure at Conua Primary School, built as a “voluntourism” project by Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort at a cost of FJD$200,000 (USD$93,000).

Outrigger Asia Pacific Managing Director Darren Edmonstone; Outrigger Fiji General Manager Peter Hopgood; former Outrigger Resort owner Geoff Shaw; and Tourism Minister Faiyaz Koya attended the official opening of the bure which was funded by the resort, villagers from Nawamagi village and resort guests who assisted in the construction as part of the resort’s community tourism project.

As part of the opening ceremony, Mr. Hopgood also handed over a new computer lab built at the school which was equipped with funding from the Newport Beach Rugby Club in Sydney, Australia.

The kindergarten will also be built as a “voluntourism” project with Outrigger guests giving up a day of their holiday and making a payment (FJD$100 adults, FJD$60 children/USD$46 adults, USD$28) to be part of the resort’s efforts to make a difference in the lives of its people.

Business, sporting and social groups staying at the resort are also invited to make a contribution to the construction and funding process of the project.

When completed, the Conua kindergarten will cater for 30 children aged four to six years.

Tourism Minister Faiyaz Koya said the resort was a pioneer in “voluntourism” and an outstanding example of how the tourism industry could assist development in the community.

Providing authentic tourism experiences for guests is an integral part of Outrigger Resorts’ philosophy.

Peter Hopgood said that Outrigger strives to provide guests with not just unique experiences but experiences that are deeply engaging.

“Connecting to the place and people when visiting another land is what inspires people to travel and what creates those lasting memories,” he said.

Construction is scheduled to commence this month.

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