Tappoo unveils refurbishment plans

Joe Bates

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The Nadi airport concessionaire hopes to start work on a two-level departures store in early 2007

Fijian airport retailer Tappoo has unveiled plans to refurbish its main Fiji Duty Free departures store at Nadi international airport.

The family-owned company has hired leading Singapore-based firm Kingsmen International as lead designer on the multi-million dollar project. Work on the two-level store will begin early next year.

Tappoo signalled its intention to invest in its Nadi operation earlier this year when it gained a 10-year extension from airport authority Airports Fiji along with fellow concessionaire Motibhai Group.

Tappoo executive director for liquor, tobacco and confectionery Kaushal Tappoo said that trading at the airport had been affected by political tension on the island over the first four months of 2006, but that tourist numbers were now steadily recovering. "We are heavily dependent on Australian and New Zealand holidaymakers," he said.

Besides Fiji Duty Free, Tappoo also runs five other outlets at Nadi airport - Fiji Market, Arrivals Duty Free, Bon Voyage, Samosa Garden and Serevi Café.

Nadi airport handled about 1.3m passengers in 2005.