Fiji Times 14/08/2005
Air Pacific will start servicing domestic routes in Fiji by the end of 2005. This strategic move prompted by competition from low cost airlines has decreased the yield that Air Pacific has enjoyed over the past several years. Traffic to Taveuni, Savusavu and the north part of Vanua Levu will surely increase and make somewhat more viable the resorts in outer sectors of Fiji. Air Pacific did have plans for a direct Nadi-Singapore flight but this has been shelved for the moment. Mr. Nacuva, Minister of Tourism, stated the Government of Fiji would need to ensure the survival of Air Pacific as a viable airline.
Fiji Times 11/08/2005
Mr. Nacuva said that tourism activities were concentrated in the Western Division, which is a given. He then added that Fiji's tourism plant is largely accommodation based. An Asian Development Bank assessment admonished government and private enterprise to become aware of the imbalance in the spread of tourism development in the country. He indicated that Fiji, as a remote tourism destination, could not afford to be a resort-based industry as the face of tourism is changing. Mr. Nacuva said that an Asian Development Bank assessment on the mid-term review had spoken out against the wisdom of major hotel development in a fragile island environment. Government is banking on the cultural activities sector to be the new face of Fiji tourism but this now only accounts for 10 per cent of the Fiji tourism industry. He stressed that the world tourism industry had changed from the fun and excitement of scenery to the one of experience of the tourist.
Mr. Nacuva said an assessment carried out by the Annual International Visitor Survey indicated there was a lack of secondary tourism activities in Fiji. The changing face of tourism now had travellers who wanted interaction with the cultures of the countries they were visiting. Government's plans to package a cultural face has only been visible in 2004 but the changes are too early to be felt.
Comments
The small resorts such as Matava, Matana, Matangi and scads of others have been providing a wonderful cultural experience for their visitors. What Fiji could use is further development funds sequestered for Taveuni, and selected islands in the Lau Group.
Fiji Times 08/08/2005)
Mr. Mick Beddoes, former Opposition Leader of the Fiji Legislature, stressed at a recent tourism meeting that the leaders of the tourist industry should engage themselves in the fight against poverty, unemployment and the consequent squatter problems in Fiji. One practical strategy that Beddoes supports is the local growing of food for tourists. The industry would be able to help 12,500 families it were to shift its current habit of buying food from abroad to buying at least 50% local food.
