Restoration in Tourism, Trade between Fiji, Japan
Accessibility makes all the difference in the tourism market, a visiting dignitary said yesterday.
Tokyo-based Pacific Islands Centre director Ryuzo Saito made the comment while signing a memorandum of cooperation with his Pacific counterpart Pacific Tourism Organisation.
Increase in flights
He said flights between Japan and Fiji were expected to increase to as many as three a week, as the two countries strengthen ties in the interest of trade, investment and tourism.
It’s been nine years coming, Mr Saito said.
“In 2018, we had 6000 tourists to Fiji.
“In 2019, it was 14,000. “Previously, during direct flights, there were 20,000-plus tourists from Japan to Fiji.
“The initial target is to resume that target as soon as possible.” At the time, Fiji was known as the honeymoon destination, Mr Saito said.
“It may take another five gradual years of progression for us to rebuild that market to what it was.”
Professional capability
Mr Saito said pictorial guide books of the 14 Pacific Island countries are helping Japanese tourists make better decisions on where to travel for their vacations, Mr Saito said.
“We are not professionals in the tourist sector so we need your guidance as professionals.”
Japanese tourists were not long stayers and invested more in services and flights than anything else, Mr Saito said.
Big spenders
“They’re the upper market travelers.
“Japanese are the biggest spenders. The elderly make up a larger per cent of our population and they are the rich generation. “Senior Japanese now have more time and more money in their retirement.”
Mr Saito signed a memorandum of cooperation (MOC) between the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) and the Pacific Islands Centre (Tokyo) in Suva.
“Our next step is about our future together, and this time it’s about the upcoming Olympic Games, in view of the Oceanic Village.
“Before, it was exchange of people. Today it’s an exchange of rugby players.”
SPTO sustainable tourism and development manager Christina Leala Gale said Japan was known for good practices in terms of sustainable development.
“This is a step in the right direction.
“One of the key priority areas of the MOC includes collaboration on the development of the proposed Oceania House concept for the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo,” SPTO said.