Levuka Tourism Focus: Gavoka
Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka has outlined his plans to enhance investments in Fiji’s Tourism industry.
In an interview with Mr Gavoka on Friday, he said the ministry hopes to take tourism to every corner of the country.
“I would like to spread the benefits of tourism across the country, right now it is only exclusive to some areas,” he said.
“I am looking at islands like Ovalau. Levuka with its rich historical significance, Namosi for eco-tourism and many other areas where investments should focus on.” He said though there were some products that were suitable to the west and some parts of the country there are different types of products that could be developed all across the country as far as tourism was concerned.”
Two new A350 arrive this year, reopening of routes
Mr Gavoka also revealed the delivery of two new A350 fleets by Fiji Airways this year.
“That will take the fleet up to 19 aircrafts of which two will be received this year,” he said.
“They are planning to expand on their routes to North America and that pretty exciting and post COVID we will be returning to Japan
and Hong Kong as we have actually committed some money into reopening these routes.”
Mr Gavoka also revealed they were open to talks with airlines that had stopped operating flights to Fiji should they need to begin operations again into the country. He made these comments when asked if they would look at re-engaging Korean airlines and other international airlines to operate through Fiji.
“It is a matter of economics but if the opportunity is there to talk to them we will take on the opportunity.”
Plan on former tourism workers
When asked if they would re-look at hiring tourism industry workers who were laid off during the COVID-19 period, Mr Gavoka said since it was dealing with the private sector, he could only hope the steps taken by government on the reinstating of the ATS and airport workers would be a starting point for the tourism sector.
“We as a government have controlling interest in ATS and other arms of the industry, we can suggest to them to bring everyone back,” he said.
“In the private sector, it is their own call but I’m hoping as the Government takes the lead in that area they will follow suit. It is their own call.”
Hope for good sense to prevail in reinstatement of workers
Mr Gavoka said he hoped goodwill would prevail in the reinstating of workers ATS staff that were terminated during COVID.
“We are asking that they get reinstated, we don’t think we are asking for too much because these are experienced people.
“It is a sensible thing to do and we believe that good sense will prevail and most of these people will go back to what they used to be.” When asked what would happen to those that have replaced these workers in the industry, he said it was not a perfect situation; the commitment was that employees should return to work.
“We just hope for goodwill moving forward.”