Damend Gounder: A Story of Resilience & Hospitality Leadership

Damend Gounder, Chairman, Tour Managers Fiji
Damend Gounder: A Story of Resilience & Hospitality Leadership

“You can’t buy happiness, but you can go to Fiji, and that’s pretty much the same thing.” This adage has aged like fine wine. Fiji is one of the best tourist destinations in the world, and the tourism industry contributes about 40 percent (both directly and indirectly) to Fiji's GDP. The island’s tourism industry's resilience is quite a story. Indeed, this resilience can be traced back to a handful of leaders like Damend Gounder, Chairman, Tour Managers Fiji—a leading destination management company. Following the 2000 coup in Fiji, which caused major disruptions to the country’s businesses and the tourism industry, the country's tourism authority selected Damend to lead the recovery efforts. He chaired the Tourism Action Group (TAG), a body formed to spearhead the recovery campaigns for tourism in Fiji.

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Top 10 Leaders in Fiji - 2024

Business leaders in Fiji have been quite instrumental in determining growth and innovation in businesses. In fact, they run a number of sectors that include tourism, agriculture, finance, and many others, and have so far contributed a great deal to GDP. These leaders are on the verge to adapt to new local industry development policies, enhance international trade relationships, and apply sustainable business practices. Many focus on improving infrastructure and investing in community development, aiming to create jobs and boost local economies. Through strategic vision and entrepreneurial spirit, these leaders help navigate challenges and capitalize on opportunities, playing a key role in shaping Fiji's economic landscape and ensuring long-term prosperity.

Business leaders in Fiji play a leading role in carving the economic environment and making their full contribution to the sustainable development of the country, right across the many sectors, including tourism, agriculture, and finance, where they also drive growth and innovation. As a result of leading successful enterprises, they open job opportunities and contribute so much towards the national GDP, hence increasing the general economic stability. They often play a very instrumental role in infrastructural development, enhancement of business practices, and investing in communities for the quickening of regional and national economic growth. It is the strategic vision and the spirit of entrepreneurship that will chart through the local and global markets that enables Fiji to be competitively well-placed on the international stage. Business leaders often advocate sustainable practices and corporate social responsibility, hence addressing environmental and social issues while promoting economic advancement. Their ability to adapt to changing market conditions and implement effective policies is vital for fostering resilience and long-term prosperity. Overall, business leaders in Fiji are key to driving economic growth, enhancing community well-being, and ensuring that the country remains dynamic and competitive in the global economy.

CEO Insights Asia in this issue presents a list of ‘Top 10 Leaders in Fiji - 2024' who have leveraged their extensive industry expertise and experience in offering effective skills to the market. The following list has been prepared after being closely scrutinized by a distinguished panel of judges including CXOs, analysts and our editorial board. We recognize their valuable contribution to the ever expanding and competitive market and their ability to sustain themselves and emerge as top contestants through their reliable knowledge.

Top 10 Leaders in Fiji - 2024

Company Management	Company Name	Company Description
Casey Quimby, Co-Founder & Managing Trustee	Animals Fiji	She possesses her extensive experience in event management, budgeting, marketing strategy, sales management, communication, accounting, and B2B and contract negotiation
Christopher Cocker, CEO	Pacific Tourism Organisation	A visionary leader committed to advancing responsible tourism, he focuses on delivering exceptional experiences for clients and partners while prioritizing sustainable practices
Damend Gounder, Chairman	Tour Managers Fiji	Leveraging his extensive experience and wide network within the tourism industry, proficient in business strategy, hotel asses management, business development and other skills
David Ariff Chan, CEO - Fiji, Vanuatu & Tonga	Capital Insurance	He is adept at setting growth strategies, achieving organisational targets, & developing the next generation of insurance leaders across diverse markets, excels in partnership development, distribution, and underwriting & portfolio management
Dipti Sharma, Founder & Director	Eventuros Fiji	Passionate about entrepreneurship, media, PR, communications, leadership, personal branding, digital media, corporate branding, event management, and marketing & business consultancy
Laura Kay, Co-Founder	Big Blue Fiji	She assist organisations in innovating and strategizing by empowering people-focused impact with her entrepreneurial and growth mind set, also excels in marketing, business development, and data analytics
Ritesh Singh, CEO	Housing Authority of Fiji	He is an expert at operational efficiency and maximizing on capacity to achieve a world class operational model, committed to building a world-class framework and fostering leadership development, has achieved significant accomplishments
Sandra Aveleira Viljoen, Founder & MD	New Beginnings Coaching	A dynamic meta-coach and neuro-semantic trainer, who specializes in systemic team coaching, leadership development, and advanced coaching methodologies for transformative organizational growth
Sanjesh Kumar, Director	KPMG	A seasoned consummate professional with unrelenting passion for entrepreneurship, leadership and innovation, his excellence in strategy and execution
Sidharth Prakash, Founder & Director	Technica	He has specializing in digital project management, digital service operations management, product development, critical thinking, content management systems, online advertising and many more

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