Tourism Fiji says visitors can stay longer by volunteering in Fijian communities
More eco-friendly items from Eco Conscious (Fiji).
Tourism Fiji has provided seven ways for visitors to travel; responsibly around the country.
Reduce and Reuse
An easy sustainable travel hack is to pack reusable essentials for your trip.
Plastic disposal can be difficult on tiny tropical islands.
By saying no to single-use plastic straws, bottles and bags, visitors save plastics from local landfills.
If you’ve forgotten to bring your own, grab some eco-friendly bamboo cutlery and metal straws from Eco-Conscious Fiji, or a cute, printed tote bag from Rise Beyond the Reef.
More eco-friendly items from Eco Conscious (Fiji).
Volunteer in Fijian Communities
If you’re someone who loves to immerse yourself in a new place and culture, volunteering is a good way to do it.
It’s the perfect excuse to stay longer in a place, create bonds with a local community and work on impactful conservation, education and community projects.
There is downtime to explore the islands, go on adventures and top up your tan. Find out more about volunteering in Fiji here.
Buy Local
Get your gifts and souvenirs sorted with Fiji’s fantastic range of local products.
Buying Fijian-made products supports local livelihoods.
From delicious chocolates and intricate local handicraft to natural skincare lotions and chic resort-style fashion, there are heaps of great options to take home with you.
Check out the monthly crafters markets in Suva and Nadi, visit The Projects Collective or pick up a Fiji-made gift from large retail stores like Jack’s Handicraft, Tappoos or Prouds.
Embrace and Respect Fijian Culture
Culture is important to every Fijian and to be a responsible traveller, we recommend that you do your homework before you begin your adventure.
We love visitors, but if you go into a Fijian village or settlement, please ensure you respect village protocol by:
- removing your hat or cap in the village.
- dressing modestly with covered shoulders and a sulu (sarong) to cover your legs.
- ensuring you have a gift (sevusevu), usually kava, to present to the chief of the village.
These observations can carry you through most islands in Fiji.
Once you have the blessings of the village chief, you can freely explore the island.
Straws from Eco Conscious (Fiji).
Support your Resort’s Eco-Initiatives
Like you, several resorts in Fiji are passionate about their impact and have set up initiatives that benefit the environment or local community.
Simple actions like reusing your towels, switching off the lights or air conditioner when you head out and planting a mangrove seedling are just a few ways you can help.
Ask your resort about their eco-initiatives the next time you check-in and get in on the action.
Use Reef-Safe Sunscreen
If you’ve done your research, you know that it is possible to be both reef-safe and skin-safe.
The best reef-safe sunscreens contain non-chemical UVA and UVB filters like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
Pack a reef-safe sunscreen before your trip to Fiji or look for Dilo Up – an all natural, handmade skincare range that uses non nano zinc, is biodegradeable, reef-safe, non-toxic, and water resistant.
Source: Tourism Fiji
Feedback: frederica.elbourne@fijisun.com.fj