Salutations
Ni sa Bula Vinaka, and a very good evening to you all.
I would like to begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land on which we stand today, ki Nasevou, vua na Turaga na Tui Vuo.
I pay my respects to their Chiefs past and present, as well as to emerging leaders and members of the Vanua o’ Nasevou who may be present here this afternoon.
I acknowledge their role in caring for the Vanua. This is the very essence of the establishment of the Tourism Industry in Fiji;
May their strength and wisdom be with us today.
I am deeply honored and delighted to be here this evening to launch Fiji’s National Sustainable Tourism Framework – the
blueprint of what we want for tourism over the next ten years.
The intent of the People’s Coalition Government on assuming office 18 months ago, was to: “Make Fiji Tourism a globally
Competitive, Sustainable and Aspirational destination with Distinctive cultural heritage and Natural environment.”
This would require the development of robust policies with the necessary supportive legislation to provide a conducive environment for tourism growth; and the formulation of policy initiatives to expand opportunities to attract more visitors to our shores.
These objectives are clearly observable in the Framework being launched today.
Ladies & Gentlemen, Cabinet approved the framework on 8 th May 2024 as the sectoral plan for the industry.
The Framework articulates the strategic direction of the tourism sector over the next 10 years, providing a blueprint for our people to develop and benefit from our natural resources.
The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MTCA) in partnership with the International Finance Corporation, and the support of the Governments of Australia and New Zealand to develop the Framework.
On this note, please allow me to warmly acknowledge our bilateral and development partners, private sector and industry stakeholders here this evening.
The Framework presents the collective vision and goals of the tourism industry.
It outlines the overarching goal to transform the sector to ensure a sustainable future that has the economic and social wellbeing of our people, our ocean, our environment, and our culture at its heart.
A SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY AND TOURISM SECTOR
Ladies and Gentlemen, as we know, Tourism is a critical sector of our economy.
I often tell my Cabinet Ministers that if there is one lesson from the pandemic, is that we cannot solely rely on any one sector.
However, diversifying our economy will not happen overnight.
So it is imperative that we nurture our tourism sector in a way that enables other sectors to benefit.
At the same time, doing this in a way that ensures that:
our people have quality jobs;
businesses thrive;
there’s value to the local economy;
communities and the vulnerable benefit;
we safeguard and promote Fiji’s culture
and heritage;
and we must ensure this is not done at the
expense of our fragile natural environment
We can lead in that direction when we share the same vision for the future and work together, as the Tourism Industry has done in putting together this Framework.
Ladies and Gentlemen, tourism has become a key pillar of the Fijian economy with increasingly deep and varied connections and
impacts on our society, culture, and environment.
Over the last 30 years, tourism has grown from around 300,000 arrivals in 1993 to 929,740 in 2023. This is our highest number on record.
And with the numbers continuing to track upward, we may well receive a million visitors this year, for the first time.
But with success comes challenges. I know as an industry – you have been at the fore of external shocks including Cyclones,
floods, economic downturns, a pandemic, loss of skills – and geopolitics.
Right now, we rely on traditional markets, Australia and New Zealand who comprise 70 percent of the visitor market share.
When there is economic downturn – with higher interest rates, inflation and ongoing global uncertainty – we start to see the immediate effects in our numbers. Australia for example took a slight dip in April.
So, when a sector that contributes 40 percent to our national GDP is affected, so is the economy.
And when the tourism sector does well – so does our economy. We saw this during COVID when within months we lost nearly a third of our GDP.
This means, we must steer the industry into a stronger path of sustainability and resilience.
Ladies and Gentlemen, in the Framework, I am happy to see that we have a roadmap that identifies new opportunities and growth areas to drive the next decade of quality tourism for Fiji.
While 2034 seems far away, by necessity, the work starts today.
It starts here – with all of us.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I commend to you the vision of the Framework, which is to ensure:
“By 2034, our sustainable, thriving and inclusive tourism sector promotes community wellbeing, provides
equitable opportunities, and restores and protects our unique cultural heritage and biodiversity.”
This articulates the Peoples Coalition Government’s goals for the sector, and our people.
In that vision for the next ten years, the principles of the Framework are simple yet profound:
1. Solesolevaki – to work together in unity;
2. Na yalo ni veivakaturagataki – a respectful demeanour or approach; and
3. Na yalo ni veiqaravi – a heart for service
I understand the Framework comes with specific actions that will help us achieve our goals.
The Deputy Prime Minister has shared with us this evening, what we as the Government are bringing to the table.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Coalition Government recognises that for growth to be sustainable, we need the support of the private
sector, civil society organisations, academics, donor partners and non-government organisations to all come together.
This requires partnerships and cooperation, in the national interest.
I must also commend the Ministry of Tourism for ensuring that the Steering Committee comprised a range of representatives from across society and the Industry to prepare this Framework.
CONCLUSION
Ladies and Gentlemen, in concluding, please allow me to acknowledge the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and all of you here who have contributed to Fiji’s National Sustainable Tourism Framework.
It is my hope that this Framework represents not only our strategy, but also, our shared commitment.
A commitment to a prosperous economy, to preserving our planet, supporting local communities, and shaping an industry that
thrives in harmony with our cultures and environment.
And as we embark on this journey, we acknowledge the need for change and to navigate towards Fiji’s sustainable tourism
future over the next decade.
Congratulations, Vinaka vakalevu, Dhaanyavaad, Shukria, May God Bless Fiji!