Tim Stonhill takes the helm at Blue Lagoon Cruises

Blue Lagoon Cruises has appointed Tim Stonhill as General Manager.

Blue Lagoon Cruises has appointed Tim Stonhill as General Manager

Announcing the appointment, Fijian Holdings CEO Sereana Qoro said Mr Stonhill would now take full managerial responsibility for all aspects of the iconic Fijian company’s operation with immediate effect.

A native Cornishman Mr Stonhill joins the boutique cruise operator with more than 30 years international travel industry experience.

This includes a more than 12-year stint as General Manager of the Hotel Grand Chancellor in Christchurch during which time he also acted as Group Operations Director for the high profile New Zealand hotel chain.

More latterly Mr Stonhill has been based on Australia’s Gold Coast, employed as a senior consultant for several high profile organisations in both the travel and corporate business sectors.

Ms Qoro said Mr Stonhill’s immense experience in the international tourism and travel industry arena had played a major factor in his being selected to take on the role.

“His vast industry knowledge and management skills are intended to contribute positively towards the future performance and business prospects of Blue Lagoon Cruises,” she said.

The company, fast approaching its 60th year of continuous operation, is highly regarded as one of the South Pacific’s most enduring brands.

Speaking from the company’s home port of Lautoka, Mr Stonhill said his initial priority would be to focus on the execution of the corporate strategies needed to consolidate then further expand the company’s global branding, particularly in this time of great change.

He plans to visit the company’s key source markets – Australia and New Zealand – later this month.

Mr Stonill replaces former General Manager Josefa Tuamoto who left the company late last year to take on the role of CEO at Tourism Fiji.