Cultural and Heritage Tourism can be a key to attracting tourists

Cultural and Heritage Tourism can be a key contributor to attracting tourists and this strategy will assist the Fijian Tourism Industry in making it a $2.2 billion dollar industry.

These were the sentiments of the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism Shaheen Ali while officiating at the Fiji Museum Open Day.

As part of today's Open Day, the Ministry with the Fiji Museum has planted native trees for the beatification of the Thurston Gardens.

The Ministry of Tourism has so far accomplished Coral planting, Mangrove planting, Tree planting with over 200 trees planted and Education and awareness on sustainable tourism.

The Ministry has also put in plans to rehabilitate the Sigatoka Sand Dunes next week.

The theme for this year’s Fiji Museum Open Day is "The Museum and Tourism, in a changing climate: nation building through our stories, our history.”

Ali says today's event is an opportunity to create awareness on how sustainable tourism development is not only important for the growth of the economy, but is important to preserve culture and heritage.

He adds sustainable tourism can revitalize older buildings and spaces and bring traditional customs to life again.