Way forward for the industry

A TOURISM master plan is the way forward for the Fiji’s tourism industry.

Rosie Travel Group and Ahura Resorts managing director Tony Whitton shared this as industry stakeholders look forward to meeting the newlyelected Tourism Minister, Viliame Gavoka soon.

“It will be good to look at undertaking a Tourism Master Plan in the coming years to formulate a road map for our tourism industry in the next decade,” Mr Whitton said.

“To address important questions such as, is increasing visitor arrivals the only single measure or should we look at not just increasing visitor arrivals but what can we do to increase average spend and length of stay?

“Do we need to look at capping tourism numbers and presenting Fiji as a destination that is not the cheapest but is a special and unique experience?

“And to enjoy Fiji you have to be prepared to pay a little more. This is the very discussion that Tahiti is currently having. Fiji is so special and we don’t want to fall into the trap of mass tourism.”

The major local tourism operator said the tourism industry were proud of the fact that the country had a free and fair elections.

He said the world was watching and now we have a new government in place as part of accepted democratic process.

Political stability, Mr Whitton indicated and democratic principles are very important to the international visitors that come to Fiji.

“We are also heartened to hear the new government will be convening a National Economic Summit of which I know tourism stakeholders will also be invited to consult and help formulate policies to create more jobs and new investment in this vital industry.”