One of his fist tasks since being General Manager at the Fiji Beach Resort & Spa, managed by Hilton, Frederic Lebegue has announced the appointment of Shane Avant as Executive Chef.

Mr Avant, who joins Hilton Worldwide from Vomo Island Resort where he held the position of Executive Chef, will be responsible for the operations of the resort's dining outlets.

Mr Avant began his career working under one of New Zealand's finest and most awarded chefs, Phillip Kraal, at Le Bon Bolli in Christchurch, before moving to The George, Christchurch's boutique luxury hotel. While in this role, he won the Oceanic final of the Confrerie De La Chaine des Rotisseurs Young Commis Chefs and went on to be awarded second place in the prestigious world finals in Paris.

Mr Avant has held top positions in renowned hotel and restaurants, including Grand Hyatt in Hong Kong, Peppers Palm Bay in the Whitsundays, and Peppers Spices Peak Lodge near Brisbane.

Inbound Tour Operator Rosie Holidays has appointed Adeline Lee Erasito to the newly-created position of Business Development Manager.

Responsible for the growth of sales and the development of new markets for the company, Ms Erasito needs no introduction given her last posting at Tourism Fiji’s head office where she performed a key role as Marketing Services Manager.

Prior to this she was based in Tourism Fiji’s Los Angeles office with specific responsibility for marketing Fiji in USA, Canada and Latin Americas Ms Erasito will report to and work closely with Rosie Holidays General Manager, Eroni Puamau, where she will be dealing with overseas tour wholesalers, Conference & Incentive organisers and tour operators in Australia, New Zealand, North America, UK, Europe and the emerging markets of China, India, the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

Javed Shameem has been appointed Business Development Executive at the Sofitel Resort & Spa.

Mr Shameem, who will be taking responsibility for the corporate market, has many years experience in the tourism industry, most recently working for Rosie Tours.

Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji has recruited three new personnel to its management team.

Newly appointed Front Office Manager Michael Bali is Fijian born and bred and has worked his way through the hospitality industry starting at Shangri-La Fijian Resort as a Page Boy and gaining experience as a telephone/PABX operator, in reservations, front desk and guest services.

In 2000 he joined Outrigger Reef Fiji as part of the opening team as Guest Services Officer and worked his way through the ranks to Duty Manager. Michael also gained experience at Sheraton Resort Denarau in sales and revenue management and at Warwick Fiji Resort and Spa in front office prior to his appointment at Outrigger.

Having worked for Outrigger Reef Fiji during its first five years of operation, William Work returns to Outrigger on the Lagoon as Resort Duty Manager. With over 14 years of industry experience William has also worked in various roles including Guest Services Officer, Reservations Manager, Duty Manager and Assistant Front Office Manager at Shangri-La Fijian Resort and Warwick Fiji. He has also gained experience as a Training Officer for Front Office and Reservations with the Training Productivity Authority of Fiji - Hospitality and Tourism school and at Vodafone where he held a position for two years.

New Sales Manager, Jennifer Yip brings over seven years of industry experience and excellent credentials to her role. Beginning her tourism career in 2004 as a Passenger Traffic Agent for Korean Air, Jennifer moved to the Warwick Fiji Resort & Spa as Sales Manager then to the position of Distribution Manager. Holding a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Tourism and Management coupled with a keen enthusiasm for the tourism industry, Jennifer received industry recognition when she was awarded the Young Achiever of the Year at the AON Tourism Awards in 2009.

Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji General Manager, Peter Hopgood, said he was delighted to welcome the new, young talent to the Outrigger team.

"It’s great to have fresh new faces around the resort filling important roles which have opened due to the continued success of the property. Outrigger prides itself on its valued staff and is looking forward to the positive impact this new trio will have," he said.

Sheraton & Westin Resorts have announced the appointment of Andre Caldwell, as Director of Finance for Sheraton Fiji Resort, Sheraton Denarau Villas, The Westin Denarau Island Resort & Spa and the Denarau Golf & Racquet Club.

A Natabua High School old boy and a graduate of the University of the South Pacific, Andre began his journey with Starwood as Assistant Financial Controller for Sheraton Resorts, Fiji in 2003 before taking similar positions at the W Retreat & Spa, Maldives. Prior to this held the position of Financial Controller at Four Points by Sheraton Darling Harbour, Sydney, Australia.

View more information about Denarau Hotels in Fiji Islands.

Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort & Spa announces the appointment of its new Director of Sales & Marketing, Michael Albana.

Announcing the new appointment, Resort General Manager, Michael Monks, said he was delighted to welcome Mr Albana to Fiji to head the team at Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort & Spa. Mr Albana replaces Ms Agnes Pacific who has transferred to Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa.

“Mr Albana brings a wealth of experience to the position here in Fiji and he comes from within our Shangri-La family,” Monks said.

World Resorts of Distinction (WRD) has appointed Claire Abot as its Business Development Manager for North America. In her new role Ms Abot will represent both Sonaisali Island Resort and the new Tadrai Island Resort in the North American market.

Sonaisali Island Resort has announced the appointment of Simon Beckett as Resort Manager. A keen surfer, Simon joins the dynamic senior management team after working in differing management roles in hotels and resorts throughout Australia. These include the Ritz Carlton Sydney and the Sheraton on the Park Sydney and several high profile properties in New South Wales and Queensland.

Sofitel Luxury Hotels has appointed Nicholas Mina to the role of Director for Sales & Marketing at the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa. Mr Mina, who joined Sofitel in 2008, was promoted to his new position after two years as the resort’s Director of Conferences & Incentives and will relocate from Sydney to Fiji. In his new expanded position, he will continue to oversee the resort’s C&I activity and in addition overlook all other segments including the wholesale and leisure markets. Nicholas takes over the reins from former Director of Sales & Marketing for the Sofitel in Fiji, Heather Gordon.

Tourism Fiji has announced the appointment of Ms Sera Cawanibuka as senior marketing officer, effective immediately

Ms Cawanibuka first joined the national tourist office in 2002 as a graduate trainee officer before being promoted to the role of marketing officer. In 2008 she was transferred to Tourism Fiji's Los Angeles office as Regional Marketing Officer.

Ms Cawanibuka will now be based at the national tourism head office in Namaka, Nadi.