Economic impact assessment to boost the benefits of cruises to Fiji's Economy

A new study will be put together to explore ways to boost the benefits of cruises to Fiji’s Economy.

The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism has partnered with the International Finance Corporation and the cruise industry to measure the economic impact of cruising in Fiji.

While launching the six-month study today, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism Shaheen Ali says that the cruise industry is becoming an important sector for the tourism industry in Fiji.

Ali says that by surveying cruise passengers, local businesses and cruise companies, this study will help them understand the sector better and how to continue to diversify the tourism products and improve the cruise experience.

He says that it will also ensure that the cruise visitors spend more money onshore and on local service providers.

Meanwhile, the International Finance Corporation resident Representative, Deva De Silva says that the number of cruise passengers arriving in Fiji has more than trebled since 2010 with over 180,000 people visiting by ships last year.

The study will quantify the direct and indirect economic impacts of cruise tourism in Fiji.

The survey will be conducted over January and February 2019 and the main ports of call that have been selected for the study include Suva, Lautoka, Port Denarau, Dravuni Island and Savusavu.