Business leaders urged to think of what tourism means to them and their role

Business leaders have been urged to think of what tourism means to them and what is their role in being able to influence the decision of our visitors to come to Fiji.

This call was made by the Permanent Secretary of Trade and Tourism Shaheen Ali while speaking at the Industry Day at Intercontinental Resort in Natadola today.

Ali also reiterated to business leaders that the true essence of tourism lies in realising that our obligations as hosts is to ensure that hard‑earned money and time that a tourist commits to travel to Fiji is ‑ well spent and worthwhile.

Ali also stressed that tourism remains to be Fiji’s largest employer, with strong linkages to other sectors, such as, construction, transport, infrastructure, food and beverages and general services, as well as new industries and start‑ups.

He says the industry’s contribution to the GDP this year is around 34.3%, according to the provisional figures.

Ali adds that it is also anticipated that total earnings from the sector will increase by 8% this year, compared to 2017, that is, from $1.92 billion to $2.08 billion.

He says that business leaders must always remember, whilst the industry is a strong pillar of the Fijian economy, it is vulnerable to external and internal shocks that include events, such as global financial crisis, climate change and unsustainable development.

He says that it is government’s aim to work in collaboration with their stakeholders to come up with new and innovative ideas, which not only encourages sustainability, but gives us the competitive advantage – that Fiji needs.