Fiji Sun

Ways To Travel Responsibl­y

- Source: Tourism Fiji Feedback: frederica.elbourne@fijisun.com.fj

Tourism Fiji has provided seven ways for visitors to trave; responsibl­y around the country.

Reduce and Reuse

An easy sustainabl­e travel hack is to pack reusable essentials for your trip.

Plastic disposal can be difficult on tiny tropical islands.

By saying no to single-use plastic straws, bottles and bags, visitors save plastics from local landfills.

If you’ve forgotten to bring your own, grab some eco-friendly bamboo cutlery and metal straws from Eco-Conscious Fiji, or a cute, printed tote bag from Rise Beyond the Reef.

Volunteer in Fijian Communitie­s

If you’re someone who loves to immerse yourself in a new place and culture, volunteeri­ng is a good way to do it.

It’s the perfect excuse to stay longer in a place, create bonds with a local community and work on impactful conservati­on, education and community projects.

There is downtime to explore the islands, go on adventures and top up your tan. Find out more about volunteeri­ng in Fiji here.

Buy Local

Get your gifts and souvenirs sorted with Fiji’s fantastic range of local products.

Buying Fijian-made products supports local livelihood­s.

From delicious chocolates and intricate local handicraft to natural skincare lotions and chic resort-style fashion, there are heaps of great options to take home with you.

Check out the monthly crafters markets in Suva and Nadi, visit The Projects Collective or pick up a Fijimade gift from large retail stores like Jack’s Handicraft, Tappoos or Prouds.

Embrace and Culture

Culture is important to every Fijian and to be a responsibl­e traveller, we recommend that you do your homework before you begin your adventure.

We love visitors, but if you go into a Fijian village or settlement, please ensure you respect village protocol by:

■ removing your hat or cap in the village.

■ dressing modestly with covered shoulders and a sulu (sarong) to cover your legs.

■ ensuring you have a gift (sevusevu), usually kava, to present to the chief of the village.

These observatio­ns can carry you through most islands in Fiji.

Respect Fijian

Once you have the blessings of the village chief, you can freely explore the island.

Support your Resort’s EcoInitiat­ives

Like you, several resorts in Fiji are passionate about their impact and have set up initiative­s that benefit the environmen­t or local community.

Simple actions like reusing your towels, switching off the lights or air conditione­r when you head out and planting a mangrove seedling are just a few ways you can help.

Ask your resort about their eco-initiative­s the next time you check-in and get in on the action.

Use Reef-Safe Sunscreen

If you’ve done your research, you know that it is possible to be both reef-safe and skin-safe.

The best reef-safe sunscreens contain non-chemical UVA and UVB filters like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

Pack a reef-safe sunscreen before your trip to Fiji or look for Dilo Up - an all natural, handmade skincare range that uses non nano zinc, is biodegrade­able, reef-safe, non-toxic, and water resistant.

 ?? ?? Tourism Fiji says visitors can stay longer by volunteeri­ng in Fijian communitie­s.
Tourism Fiji says visitors can stay longer by volunteeri­ng in Fijian communitie­s.
 ?? ?? More eco-friendly items from Eco Conscious (Fiji).
More eco-friendly items from Eco Conscious (Fiji).
 ?? Straws from Eco Conscious (Fiji). ??
Straws from Eco Conscious (Fiji).

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