Fiji’s first capital aims to attract more visitors
EFFORTS are being made to attract more locals to visit Levuka Town due to its historical significance while at the same time getting more international tourists whose main interest is visiting heritage sites around the world.
The Attorney-General and Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, speaking at Levuka Town Hall to a delegation of diplomats and business people from the old capital last night, laid out some of the areas where the town can tap into for development.
“We have always seen tourism as something that has always been associated with people that live overseas but as you can see after COVID-19 many of our hotels are open over the weekend because Fijians actually go and stay at those hotels.”
“So we have never marketed domestic tourism and there are many Fijians who, I am sure, would love to come to Levuka- the first capital of Fiji where the first deed of cession was signed.”
He said it was an extremely challenging times for governments all over the world and Fiji has not been spared as borders have closed, affecting tourism which contributes close to 40 per cent of Fiji’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and is the largest foreign exchange earner.
The A-G told the diplomats, which included the British High Commissioner His Excellency Christopher George Edgar, that there were many areas that they can assist especially as the town was the first capital of the colonial government.
Minister for Local Government and Housing, Premila Kumar highlighted some of the Ministry’s future plans for the town including the recent facelift for the town hall.
“We also want to turn the Governor’s House into a gallery with a coffee shop and a restaurant, once restored then it will be available for renting and we are also looking at the bowling club,” Minister Kumar said.
Another major project, she said, was the municipal market that the Ministry is working with the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) on as currently the vendors are selling the produce outside.
“I see that as a very urgent need to put that market together so that all those vendors can move into the market which is much safer and secure for them. The way I vision the market, it will have accommodation for them and a cafeteria. Most of the women come from Motoriki and they arrive early in the morning,” Minister Kumar said.
The business community of Levuka has expressed its support of Government initiatives as they also look at expanding the areas of development for the town and whole of Ovalau beyond the Pacific Fishing Company (PAFCO).
“FOR 50 years, Fiji’s contribution to the United Nations has been driven by genuine care for those less fortunate than ourselves and uncompromising passion for the protection of our natural world.”
This was the message relayed by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama while delivering remarks at the High-Level meeting to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the United Nations in Suva.
The Head of Government recalled the country’s optimism that had been showcased by Fijian soldiers as something good to give the world and something much larger to gain from a multilateral pursuit of peace.
“Fijian peacekeepers have defended the defenseless in the world’s most conflict-ridden regions; Our oceans diplomacy spearheaded the United Nations Law of the Sea of which Fiji was the first signatory. Today, we light the way towards the sustainable management of the ocean and its resources.”
“Fiji was the first country to ratify the Paris Agreement as well as the first small island state to lead the climate negotiations as President of COP23, we are among the nations committed to net-zero emissions by 2050.”
Prime Minister Bainimarama highlighted how months into economically-devastating lockdowns and border closures, a COVID-19 vaccine is still only guaranteed for those who can afford it.
“Five years post-Paris, global temperature rise is still projected to rocket past the two, three, or even fourdegree mark, our ocean ecosystems are acidifying, and a sixth mass extinction event is already underway.”
“50 years ago, Fiji recognised we had far more to gain than we could ever through this Assembly. But that humble truth is not reserved for the world’s small developing states – the same can be said of even the mightiest among us. Every nation, large and small, stands a better chance at our best future by acting in solidarity.
Prime Minister Bainimarama further added that with the guidance by the UN, we are building a world of peace. But a world of net-zero emissions, sustainably-managed oceans, gender equity, digital inclusivity, and equitable development is no less critical. We have the means to make that world reality.
“We must meet year 75 of the UN with the political fortitude to see it built. Multilateralism must deliver once again.”