Digicel breaks ground on more than just a hotel

Digicel broke ground Tuesday on the ST$35 million 52-room Lava Hotels brand project in the Sogi area of Apia, Samoa.

As the second hotel investment by Digicel Samoa, the ground breaking ceremony was well attended  and led by Reverend Utufua Naseri, Hon Prime Minister of Samoa – Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and Cabinet, business and community leaders and Digicel management including Regional Hub CEO Colin Stone.

The Lava hotel development has been made possible due to the long-term vision in tourism by the Samoan government; in particular Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi who has championed this bold initiative. The vision to promote tourism through investments in first class hotels commenced 14 years ago with the passing into law of the Tourism and Hotel Development Incentive Act 2003.

Designed to appeal to the new “Millennial Travelers” visiting Apia for business and leisure, the Lava hotel has adopted a modern, contemporary design. The new generation of travelers are looking at the world with a global perspective and placing more value on “experiences” rather than “things”, the hotel is designed in an open, somewhat eclectic style incorporating local Samoan cultural design and influences.

As an important contributing factor to the success of the planned Apia Waterfront Development Project, phase 1 of the Lava Hotel development will consist of 52 first class bedrooms, an upscale bar and restaurant, pool facilities, a dedicated function room catering for up to 120 people and an impressive Boardroom for business meetings. The bedrooms, to be built over three levels are accessed through an external corridor overlooking a 20-metre external swimming pool within a private courtyard.

The Lava hotel development has been made possible due to the long-term tourism vision of the Samoan government - and in particular Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi who has championed this bold initiative. The vision to promote tourism through investments in first class hotels commenced 14 years ago with the passing into law of the Tourism and Hotel Development Incentive Act 2003.

Digicel Samoa Chairman Pepe Fia’ailetoa Christian Fruean said; “Since entering Samoa in 2006, Digicel has always looked to provide services and get involved in projects which are of benefit to the country and to communities. We will bring that same vision, passion and energy to this Lava Hotel development.”

The project, which sees Digicel investing in ST$35m in phase 1 with further development phases to follow, will create 50 jobs during the construction phase with reputable contractor, Ca’Bella Pacific Construction Samoa Limited and a further  80+ permanent hospitality jobs for the day to day running of the Lava hotel. The new hotel will be managed locally with an experienced management team under the direction of an International Asset Management Company using a Digicel-owned new brand called Lava Hotel Apia.

 

Photo supplied 

 

     

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