Robin Mercer

from Fiji Times

Tourism icon Mercer dies in Australia

Serafina Silaitoga
Friday, June 03, 2016

TOURISM icon and entrepreneur Robin Mercer passed away in Australia last week.

He died in Queensland and has been described by friends in Savusavu as a man who always had time to help others.

Savusavu businesswoman Pettine Simpson said Mr Mercer was like a father who always helped those in need and he was a Fijian at heart.

She said Mr Mercer also had time to advise and guide newcomers to the industry.

Originally a Kiwi, Mr Mercer moved to Savusavu in 1969 with his then wife Lynette Mercer and built Kontiki, which started operations in 1970.

Mrs Mercer said his work for the National Trust of Fiji and Fiji tourism was also well known and documented.

"We met when I was 18 and he was 20 years old and we got married in 1961 at Davuilevu and we acquired a piece of Matanikavika Estate from Guy Parr," she said.

"Robin, the only child, moved to Fiji in 1946 after the war and he was nine years old at that time. Their postings were with the Agriculture Department at Natabua, Naduruloulou and Koronivia."

After completing his studies in New Zealand, he joined the Bank of New Zealand in Fiji.