MITT visits and engages at Yalobi village
Ateam from the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism (MITT) comprising of representatives from the Tourism Unit and the Integrated Human Resource Development Programme (IHRDP) met villagers of Yalobi Village in Waya, Yasawa on July 5.
The visit was in response to the community’s request for a tourism awareness programme.
The village youth established, the Vatunareba Youth Club and developed a new “Day Trip” initiative, for which they sought the Ministry advice, prior to implementing.
Positive feedback from Ministry
The District representative who also is the head of the Vatunareba Youth Club, Eparama Laba was thankful to the Ministry for visiting and providing constructive feedback on their proposed initiative which would benefit the village in the long run.
“I thank the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism for their support in developing this product,” Mr Laba said.
“We have about 50 youths who will assist in operating this Day Trip.
“They will be involved in the different phases of the tour and we hope to provide the best Fijian experience to our visitors.
“I must also acknowledge the efforts of Vinaka Fiji in the development of tourism products in Yasawa and for supporting this initiative.”
The meeting included site visits to the “Day Trip” sites and the provision of necessary business advice to the youth committee, before they officially start operating the Tour.
“The visit also provided an opportunity for the Ministry to identify gaps and needs of the community in terms of strengths and weaknesses of current products and potential for future products, which would assist in terms of providing further support to Yalobi village,” Mr Laba added.
Fijian Tourism 2021
The Permanent Secretary for Industry, Trade and Tourism Shaheen Ali said the Government through the Ministry encourages participation of local resource owners in tourism development, thus the spreading of economic benefits of tourism and strengthening of linkages with other economic sectors.
“This initiative contributes to strategies in the Fijian Tourism 2021, which focuses on increasing the value of the Fijian tourism industry by making sure that Fiji is providing quality products and services to our visitors.
“At the same time providing support to micro, small and medium operators,” added Mr Ali.
The Day Trip is anticipated to be operational in the next two months and the youths are looking to the Ministry, South Sea Cruises and other key tourism stakeholders to promote their initiative, which would generate revenue for the village. Source: Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism