After almost two years of operations in Sydney, KarryOn have taken the decision to relocate their entire operation to Fiji for a trial period.
Australia’s fastest growing travel industry website is making the move thanks to a trade deal opportunity with the Fijian Government as well as satisfying a desire from the team to enjoy some island life and experience the tropical destination first hand.
In what’s been dubbed by Founder Matt Leedham as ‘An exciting creative experiment’ the move will see the KarryOn team depart from trendy Surry Hills in Sydney to working and living together in the South Pacific holiday isle as the united ‘Voice of the travel industry’.
KarryOn’s new offices, just a short stroll from Denarau Island
“I think all of us are up for an adventure and to experience a slower pace of life for a while. Sydney certainly has its charms, but the offer of cheap daily cocktails at sunset, faster internet and a healthy tan is just too good to refuse. We’re extremely excited!”
Matt Leedham, KarryOn Founder
KarryOn will migrate their entire creative, social, video and editorial team of fifteen at the end of April to their new offices located twenty-minutes from Nadi airport, close to Denarau Island.
The offices themselves are cool and spacious with individual bungalows on-site to house the team and their accompanying respective others.
Set amongst a palm and banana tree plantation, the private beachfront offices also feature an in-ground pool, volleyball court and a traditional wooden beach bar that will be used as the ‘brainstorm’ hub for the operations.
The nearby local people from the village of ‘Malakua’ will cook and supply classic Fijian cuisine on-site in exchange for the KarryOn team teaching a variety of subjects at the local school in the village.
Airy and cool with plenty of space for the team
“’I’ve really always wanted to work abroad. My biggest challenge is going to be not sipping cocktails between each news story I write!”
Naz John, KarryOn News Editor
At this stage the trial period will run for at least the Australian winter months with a review pending towards the end of September.
“We’ll see where we’re at towards the end of the Australian winter around who wants to come back to Sydney. We’ve all made a pact that if the majority of the team wants to stay, then that’s what we’ll all do”. Said KarryOn Founder Matt Leedham.
KarryOn are assuring readers and advertisers alike that it’s strictly business as usual, even with the two-hour time difference.
The lush driveway and plantation is full of native plantlife and bananas
“We’ll have the step on everyone else news wise in the morning and will just work the extra two hours of Australian time into the evening at sunset” says KarryOn Content Director Julia Gralberg.
“Work will become pleasure all of a sudden with a Mai Tai in your hand and your feet in the sand”.
Julia Gralberg, Content Director, KarryOn
There’s even been talk of a fly on the wall documentary series covering their time in Fiji, though at this stage this remains unconfirmed.
KarryOn will make the move at the end of April with Fiji Airways already offering to fly the KarryOn team over to Nadi and a traditional welcome ceremony planned from the Government.
@worldofleedham @karryontravel We look forward to welcoming you to our home!
— Fiji Airways (@FijiAirways) March 31, 2015
