Port Denarau Marina wins international marina of the year

Fiji’s growth as a yacht cruising destination has received a boost after Port Denarau Marina won the category of “International Marina of the Year” at the MIA (Marina Industries Association) Awards Dinner on the Gold Coast last Tuesday evening.

The awards were part of the Marine15 International Conference and Trade Exhibition, which was held on the Gold Coast from the 3rd to the 5th of May 2015.

The MIA is the peak industry body for the marina industries in Australia, Asia and the Pacific regions and is dedicated to the needs of marina owners and operators of berthing, mooring, storage and slipway/workshop facilities connected to sailing, cruising and general boating.

The competition for the MIA Awards was the strongest ever and a record number of entries had been received internationally. Port Denarau Marina headed out the other finalists in this category of Port Montenegro in Europe, Albany Marina in the Bahamas and Westhaven Marina in Auckland, NZ.

Nigel Skeggs, managing director at Port Denarau Marina commented, “This is an incredible achievement both for our team and Fiji as a destination. We have strived to develop a product that contributes to the variety of offerings in Fiji's tourism market while driving the financial and social contribution to the outer islands of Fiji by attracting these tourists to our shores. In developing a marina we have been very isolated and to receive this recognition from our peers is incredibly satisfying and recognition that not only are we doing it right but we are a leading marina globally. It does not get any better than this and I am very proud of our success.

I would like to thank our board for their support and vision and for our great team for bringing it to fruition. This is an award that all of Fiji can be proud of and firmly cements our nation as a yachting tourism destination."

According to the Annual Fijian International Yachting Visitors Survey, which is conducted each year by Port Denarau Marina as an aid to market Fiji as a destination for this valuable segment of the tourism sector, there has been a sharp increase in numbers, with the total value of yachting tourism to the Fijian economy for 2014 sitting at over $39.5m.

For more information, visit Port Denarau Marina