Outrigger Hospitality Group has grown its footprint well beyond its Hawaii roots, with properties now in the Maldives, Mauritius, Fiji and Thailand. Hotels editor Christina Jelski recently spoke with Jason Zvatora, Outrigger's vice president of commercial strategy for Asia Pacific, about romance travel, booking pattern shifts and future expansion.
Jason Zvatora
Q: How has the Outrigger portfolio been performing so far in 2026?
A: Overall, we remain optimistic, with some headwinds. There's turbulence in domestic travel [to Hawaii] broadly, and inbound [international travel] to Hawaii has been challenged. But outside Hawaii, there's tremendous opportunity. Thailand has delivered record year after record year. Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort finished its refurbishment about a year and a half ago, and that repositioning has really taken hold.
Q: Most Americans associate Outrigger with Hawaii. Are you getting U.S. travelers to your Asia Pacific properties?
A: The U.S. is strong across the board [when it comes to properties outside Hawaii]. Fiji, in particular, has had a really strong play in the American market. There's increased airlift through Fiji Airways, including a Dallas connection, which has added meaningful accessibility. We're seeing double-digit growth from the U.S. into Fiji, particularly into Castaway Island resort. We're seeing the dive segment really dominate, both in Fiji and in the Maldives. And for our upcoming Phi Phi Island Resort, which has been on sale for [a few] months, over 30% of bookings are from the U.S.
Q: Are you drawing honeymooners to these destinations, too?
A: The honeymoon segment is very strong, especially in the Maldives; if it's not the dive traveler, it's the honeymooner. Privacy and romance are still essential, but couples increasingly want to immerse themselves in the local culture and the natural environment. We're also seeing honeymooners stay longer. They're still having that romantic component but adding other dimensions to it.
Q: And what about weddings?
A: Weddings have become a meaningful pillar, and we'll continue to lean into it. In mid-2025 we launched a chapel at Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort. In that short time, we've booked 88 weddings, with more than 80% coming from Japan. They're smaller ceremonies, typically up to around 30 guests. Our Fiji Beach Resort did 202 weddings in 2025, skewing heavily toward Australia and New Zealand with some U.S. business.
Q: How are booking windows shifting this year?
A: It really depends on the source market. Mainland U.S. travelers have compressed significantly; we're seeing a huge share of bookings come within a 30-day window. That creates both strengths and challenges in terms of layering pace and forecasting. On the other end, our German and U.K. business is booking out to around 120 days. And China has come back with real momentum, particularly into the Maldives. It's now back to being our No. 1 source market for that destination.
Q: What's next on the expansion front?
A: Right in front of us is Outrigger Phi Phi Island Resort, opening in May. Beyond that, we look principally outside Hawaii for growth. Australia is strategically important. It's our No. 3 source market globally, and brand recognition there is very high. We'd love to be in beachside destinations there. Japan, specifically Okinawa, interests us. We'd go again in Thailand. We'll have four properties there once Phi Phi opens, and we see room for more. Vietnam, Bali and Indonesia are also destinations we're actively exploring.