RESET FIJI: Tourism In the New Normal
With borders closed since COVID-19 hit our shores, the economic fallout on the tourism industry has been significant.
For an economy like Fiji, where 46 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is dependent on tourism, our economy is in a state of shock.
From the need to digitialise to focus on a new target group, to aligning a new set of protocols for the many sectors of tourism to follow in the new normal.
These were among some of the many thought-provoking discussions during the fifth episode of the RESET FIJI on Mai TV
RESET FIJI
This episode of RESET FIJI- A People’s Post COVID-19 dialogue series aired on MaiTV on July 12, 2020 at 8pm.
The panelists included various speakers from the many sectors of the tourism sector.
Host of the dialogue series, Stanley Simpson posed the question: “How do we reset or rethink tourism in Fiji to be resilient and how do we get back on our feet?
This is what the panelists had to say:
Fantasha Lockington
Everything about doing business post-COVID is changing and Fiji is in line in putting those plans in place as well.
Speaking at the episode, the chief executive officer of Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association said the plan for a COVID-safe world should be for everybody across the board.
“Every part of that chain is changing, from enhanced cleanliness programmes, to training our staff to recognise what is our critical situation, and what to do with it to how we are going to serve food to where we serve the food,” Ms Lockington said.
Ms Lockington said that once borders open, there will be a new market which will consist of millennial travellers.
“When the borders open, you are not going to get a heap of families, or honeymooners.
“The target markets we need to look out for will be the one we have not considered before; millennials travellers.
“These are people who travel shorter bursts but more often.”
She said Fiji needs to input digital literacy when dealing with younger people.
James Sowane
While Fiji Airways already has set protocols for when borders open, other tourism sectors need one as well.
Panelist number two, the Pacific Destinations Fiji managing director said tourism is an industry that is very people-based, and there is a need for protocols in the new normal.
As voice of the ground transport sector at the RESET FIJI episode James Sowane said having protocols will ensure other countries know that Fiji is safe for their citizens to fly into.
“For example, Australia and New Zealand who are the short haul major markets for the industry.
“They need to see that our industry is ready, and that it will be safe to allow their citizens to enter our country,” he said.
He said that all the touching points, from when the visitors embark onto their flight from their countries, to the customs hall at the airport in Nadi needs a set of guidelines.
“Fiji Airways has come with protocols when they start receiving guests onto the aircraft.
“You will soon be hearing from Nadi International Airport what will be new protocols for the ground transport industry,” Mr Sowane said.
Danny Jason
People see COVID-19 as a virus bringing harm.
However, the eco retreat owner sees it as a blessing in disguise. Namosi Eco Retreat owner said COVID-19 sent people back to their villages to invest in their roots.
“The city kids have forgotten their basic skills, thank God, that COVID came and people started going back to their village.
“The people started to build, do farming again,” he said.
The Duavata Tourism Collective representative also said that people need to come to Fiji and venture into unexplored terrains.
Mr Jason said the idea behind his retreat was for guests to experience the lifestyle of the interior.
“When guests come there, they stay in bures where there is no electricity, no phone or internet connection.
“So, they are away from everything,” Mr Jason said.
“People can come and engage with the community, learn and take back these experiences that are experiences we survive on.”
Mr Jason started with the tourism industry in Nadi then to the Coral Coast before he decided to go back to his village to start and create Namosi Eco Retreat.
Justin Hunter
Founder of J. Hunter Pearls said that a crisis brings in more opportunities and it should not be wasted.
Justin Hunter said that Fiji should come out stronger from the pandemic than it went into it.
“You do not waste a crisis, there are going to be opportunities that will come out of this because a lot of people are not in a good place right now.”
He said that Fiji does not need to replicate any other country, but ensure there is more transparency. “We do not want to be the Balis, we do not want to be anything else, we want to be Fiji,” he said
“We want to provide maximum benefits to the people.”
Mr Hunter said there is still a backward approach to renewable energy.
“We do not want to be a green or blue country and still relying on diesel.
“That is not going to work, people are a lot more aware.”
Mr Hunter returned to his hometown of Savusavu in 1999 to begin building his dream.
Aware of the obstacles pearl farmers in Fiji had faced, Mr Hunter implemented bold new pearl farming techniques.
He also established vital relationships with local villages that would see him become a pioneer in the pearling industry in Fiji.
Professor Stephen Pratt
Town hall meetings will encourage engagement from all sectors in the economy, says tourism academic expert, Professor Stephen Pratt. “There needs to be more town hall meetings, that do not need to be fancy.
“It does not cost a lot to host but it will give many different sectors in the economy a voice and bring everybody to the table,” Mr Pratt said. The Head of School of Tourism and Hospitality Management at the University of the South Pacific said this episode will act as a stimulus for the private and public sector to work together.