FIJI EYES EXPANSION

THE Fijian Government is looking to developers to expand conference and exhibition facilities as the next step in the country’s tourism evolution.

At last week’s Fijian Tourism Expo in Denarau, Tourism Minster Faiyaz Koya, pictured, said conferences were an increasingly important contributor to the economy and that facilities would need to be expanded in response.

He said the government was actively encouraging potential resort developers to include large-scale conference facilities in their plans wherever possible.

“Currently our capacity to cater to events of 1,000-plus delegates is limited,” Koya said.

“If anyone is developing here... we do inform them that (MICE) is a market we are going to tap into so the conference centres that get put in are able to cater to larger numbers than what we can currently facilitate,” he said.

Fiji’s largest conference and exhibition facilities are currently at the Sheraton Fiji Resort where the Denarau Island Convention Centre can host up to 1,000 delegates.

Other properties with event venues include the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa which has a ballroom with seating for up to 640 guests.

Koya said the newly opened Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay could potentially include largerscale conference facilities in a future stage of development.

“I know the Marriott is looking at increased capacity... to put a larger centre in,” he said.

“In terms of their development, that’s probably the next one to come on.”

Another focus for the government was in attracting large sporting events, Koya said, such as the upcoming Super Rugby clash between the Chiefs and Raiders in Suva.