Tourism sector still has promise to boost Fiji's economy
Jun 23, 2008 - Tourism in Fiji has promise and is one of the most instrumental sectors that can contribute effectively towards
strengthening our economy says the Director for Tourism, Ms Alefina Vuki.
Ms Vuki said the tourism sector in Fiji has a lot of potential and they have devised plans for the development and
growth of the industry.
"We already have the Fiji Tourism Development Plan and the Tourism Resource Owners meeting is part of implementing that
plan which is where we focus on resource owners within the regional groups, the indigenous resource owners particularly
and see how we can assist them so that they can develop the tourism industry," she said.
She said they have planned to get the indigenous resource owners together in the different regions so that consultations
and discussions take place on ways to move this sector forward.
"The organizations have now been divided into the Regional Groups so this is the Western Group. With the support of the
Ministry and the input from stakeholders and other departments for example the Lands, TPAF, Fijian Affairs coming in and
the purpose of this meeting is to really show the indigenous resource owners the kind of assistance available from the
Governments.
"And also they can effectively utilize the assistance because in the end the resource owners have to come together
themselves and find the will to set up their own indigenous business organization so that they can actually partake of
the tourism industry and the benefit from it," Ms Vuki said.
Under the Tourism Development Plan 2007-2016, some of the Managed Growth Scenario Strategies for the development of the
sector are as follows:
* Providing Transport Linkages
* Target Markets
* The Fijian Tourism Product- Brand Fiji
* Presenting Fiji
* Regional Prosperity
* Facilitating Growth - Investment
* Vanua- Community Benefits
* Sustainable Development
* Building Blocks - Infrastructure
* Informed Decision, Risks, Legislation
* Team Fiji
ENDS