YP was truly a man of vision, integrity and spirit and I have had the greatest privilege of knowing him.

This was the tribute paid to late tourism industry icon and founder of the Reddy Group, Yanktesh Permal (YP) Reddy, by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism Viliame Gavoka as news of Mr Reddy’s passing was announced today.

“I join the Reddy Group, the tourism industry and the Reddy family in mourning the loss of Mr Yanktesh Permal (YP) Reddy, fondly known as YP,” Mr Gavoka said.

“He was an industry pioneer – who in many ways – shaped the industry and the Fijian business community. Today, we remember his life and his achievements.

“May his soul rest in peace and our prayers give strength to the bereaved family.”

Mr Reddy was Chairman Emeritus of Reddy Group, he joined the family company in 1957.

In 1965, he launched Reddy’s Enterprises Limited to invest in tourism which was showing promise of becoming an important industry for the Fijian economy at the time.

The Group acquired a prime site near Nadi International Airport and built a tourism property which became the Tanoa Hotel. After operating a tourist hotel as the first local operator, the company soon started acquiring other hotels. RakiRaki in 1968, Skylodge in 1973 and Nadi Travelodge in 1992. In 1987, the Tanoa Group built a new 20-room hotel in Lautoka, the Tanoa Waterfront Hotel to cater for the accommodation needs of corporate visitors to the West.

Today Reddy Group has significant operations within the Asia Pacific region holding a very diverse portfolio. Mr Reddy was the inaugural president of renowned charitable organisation, the Fiji Jaycees and was a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Club of Lautoka. He received the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1973 from her Majesty the Queen and in 1995 received the highest recognition in Fiji – The Companion of the Order of Fiji (CF). For 23 years Mr Reddy served as national president of TISI Sangam, one of Fiji’s largest socio-educational and cultural organizations. He held many directorships on government and state owned companies including the Fiji Electricity Authority, Fiji Development Bank and Fiji National Provident Fund. Mr Reddy was a life member of the Fiji Hotel Association and in 2000, received the lifetime achievement in excellence award for tourism in Fiji.