The 296-room Sofitel Resort and Spa which will open on Denarau Island near Nadi this weekend is expected to boost Fiji's tourist numbers by 40,000 a year and ease the accommodation shortage.
The Fiji Times reports that the US$45 million resort is a joint venture between national airline Air Pacific and the life insurance and banking group, Colonial Limited.
The chief executive of the Fiji Visitors Bureau, Bill Gavoka, is quoted as saying for too long visitors have had to be turned away because of insufficient suitable accommodation.
He says Sofitel is part of a huge family worldwide with thousands of rooms which would help to promote the Fiji tourism market.
