On August 22, 1994, a resort owned by the President and the late Tui Nayau Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara opened for operations on Vanuabalavu. The next day The Fiji Times reported Tourism Minister Harold Powell as saying the Lomaloma Resort represented a unique opportunity for tourists to experience a part of Fiji that had long remained remote and mysterious. He said this while officially opening the resort.
He said the northern-eastern part of the Lau Group, where Vanuabalavu was located, played a very significant role in Fiji’s early colonial history. Vanuabalavu was a busy port of entry in the 1800s, rivalling the then capital of Fiji — Levuka in importance. It was the power-based of Tongan warlord, Ma’afu, who established Lau as his domain.
“From a tourism perspective, Vanuabalavu is an attractive addition to our internal tourism destination as we constantly look at diversifying and expanding our tourist attractions. “Tourism is today the fastest growing industry in Fiji. “Between 1990-1993, the industry grew by 23.
4 per cent. Tourism contributes 24 per cent of Fiji’s Domestic Product. “It is the largest foreign exchange earning industry in the country.
“Total earnings last year amounted to over $363million. “The industry provides direct and indirect employment for about 40,000 or about 16 per cent of our total labour force. “Already, tourism is the largest employer of the Fijian people.
“Indigenous landowners earn an estimated $1.4m annually through tour.