In the deep blue Fijian waters of the Lomaiviti archipelago, there sits the coral cay that is Leleuvia Island Resort, a 68,000 square metre islet that is adopting and implementing sustainable tourism practices because they understand that acting locally impacts globally.
Leading this work on the island is Leleuvia Resort Manager, Colin Philp. Colin is a sail maker by trade who ran a successful manufacturing business as well as a chain of surf shops throughout Fiji for a number of years before deciding he needed a change and opportunity came knocking when he was asked to run Leleuvia in 2011. Colin’s affinity to the ‘vanua’ (land) and ‘waitui’ (ocean) especially the latter had him involved in the Fiji Islands Voyaging Society in 2009 (now named the Uto ni Yalo Trust). Colin, ever the entrepreneur still owns and runs a small canvas and distribution business, which sells biodegradable cleaning products.
“I’ve always had a love for the ocean, it seemed natural to involve myself in the Uto ni Yalo Trust and the conservation work they are doing, it was a sign of things to come” said Philp.