The President, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere challenged members of the tourism industry to consider more innovative ways to promote Fiji’s fresh produce and locally manufactured goods within their businesses.
Ratu Wiliame was speaking to tourism stakeholders while officially opening the Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association HOTEC Tradeshow and Tourism Talanoa Symposium 2022 at the Sheraton Fiji Golf and Beach Resort at Denarau, Nadi yesterday.
The theme of the two-day conference is ‘Working towards a Sustainable, Marketable, Agile, Resilient and Travel-ready (SMART) Industry’. In his opening address, Ratu Wiliame also urged the participants to consider the more sustainable alternatives for energy, recycling and production that would replenish or better manage Fiji’s natural resources.
“Use your skills in showcasing these to our international visitors and the world,” he said.
“To continuously use your ability to connect with the local communities around you to protect our natural environments, whether you are close to our green forests, our deep rivers or our blue oceans to give these resources the respect they deserve and to maintain their beauty for our future generations.”
He said the event aimed to provide the various tourism operators the opportunity to engage with a range of stakeholders in an effort to generate dialogue that would promote a positive momentum as Fiji’s tourism continued its recovery post-COVID19.
“We have come a long way on our journey of recovery and to continue on this remarkable and successful journey we must consistently improve and adapt our business processes and be as proactive as possible in our approach, so that we are better prepared to meet the challenges ahead,” he said.
“An important question to ask now after having overcome one of its most profound and longest adversities in its over 50 year history, what does the future of tourism look like?,” Ratu Wiliame questioned.
“When we think about resilience and how we approach and overcome adversity we must also think about sustainability, what does sustainability look like or entail for the tourism industry.
“Our economy, our industries and even our partnerships must be both sustainable and resilient to succeed. We need to tailor-make our visions, strategies, methods and responses with the goal of sustainability, resilience and future proofing our approach.”
Story By: nicolette.chambers@fijisun.com.fj