And it also marked another signpost achievement for the Skeggs Group, after it purchased the marina ten years ago.

Port Denarau Marina Chief Executive Officer Nigel Skeggs said during their time in Fiji, tourism had rightfully emerged as Fiji's biggest industry and it was poised to grow bigger still - far bigger.

"As a company, we believe in the future of tourism Fiji and you the fantastic operators who call Port Denarau Marina home.

"We are all very proud of what we have achieved so far as part of the vision that was conceived when our founder, Sir Clifford Skeggs purchased the marina back in 1999,"he said during the opening.

Mr Skeggs also praised the 2010 budget saying that it was very encouraging especially for tourism and in particular the yachting industry.

With Super Yachts able to charter in Fiji and the duty on importing both commercial and private vessels dropping from 34 to five percent, they are going to see a great boom in the coming year.

He said the new terminal represented yet another step in building a world-class tourism and transportation system. It complimented the extension of the commercial fixed and floating jetties, which were also completed this year.

"We have had tremendous help from many stakeholders to get us to where we are. We're all in this together. This is not about opening a terminal, but rather transforming the tourism transportation corridor, creating a new world of opportunities to benefit the operators, the region and the greater community.

"With the expansion of services provided by the marina and the fantastic retail centre to compliment the development, Port Denarau Marina has cemented itself as the centre for tourism.

"I congratulate the builders and all those who contributed to the design, fit-out and overall construction," Mr Skeggs said.

He pays special thanks to Phil Richards from JS Hill and their very own Bob Oldham.