Phillip Couvaras appointed General Manager of Radisson Resort Fiji Denarau Island

Carlson Hotels Asia Pacific has appointed Phillip Couvaras to the position of general manager, Radisson Resort Fiji Denarau Island.

The resort, which is Carlson’s first resort in Fiji and second for the South Pacific, is currently under construction and due to open in May 2007. Upon completion, the $93 million resort is expected to provide a major boost to the Fijian economy by increasing tourist arrivals into the country and creating around 175 new employment positions.

Paul Kirwin, president and managing director, Carlson Hotels Asia Pacific, said, “The Radisson Resort Fiji Denarau Island is an important property in the Carlson Hotels Asia Pacific portfolio. As well as seeing substantial incoming tourism from Australia and New Zealand, from which demand is typically strong, we believe we can help to increase Fiji’s share of the North American and European markets, because the Radisson brand enjoys such a strong presence in those markets.” 

As general manager of the resort, Phillip Couvaras will be responsible for overseeing all pre-opening activities, including staff recruitment and training, as well as all operational, sales and marketing activities once the resort is fully operational.

The 270-room Radisson Resort Fiji Denarau Island will be located on a superb 10-acre waterfront site, providing the best beach frontage on the island. Twenty minutes from Nadi International Airport, the resort will be designed with distinctive Fijian features and spread around an impressive swimming lagoon including the largest swimming pool in the South Pacific.

Prior to joining Carlson Hotels Asia Pacific, Phillip Couvaras held the position of General Manager at Couran Cove Island Resort on Australia’s Gold Coast. During his time there, Phillip was responsible for increasing the resort’s profitability, growing the average room rate, repositioning the resort in the domestic market and improving guest and employee satisfaction levels. During his tenure the resort also underwent a major refurbishment and won several industry awards.

Phillip Couvaras has more than 25 years experience in the hotel industry, including two decades with Sun International, an African based tourism and leisure group with resorts, luxury hotel products and casinos across South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland.

Phillip Couvaras holds a Certificate in Hotel Management from The Hotel School in Johannesburg, South Africa and has completed an Executive Development Program at the Graduate School of Business, University of Cape Town. He also holds various certificates from Rhodes University in South Africa, Cornell Summer School in New York, and IMD, a world-leading business school based in Switzerland.

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