By RACHNA LAL
Possibilities are high for a new tourism era to dawn in Lau with yachting tourism as efforts are now being put by stakeholders to develop Lau as a yachting destination.
Twenty-five classy yachts which are part of the World Oyster Rally have started arriving to the pristine and untouched Vanuabalavu and other islands in Lau.
The arrival of these yachts has also allowed Lau to temporarily become a port of entry.
Customs and immigrations officials, together with biosecurity and health officials are present in Vanuabalavu to provide clearance to these owners of Oyster-brand yachts.
Right after the Oyster Rally, the Island Cruising Association Rally will bring another 18 yachts into Lau and then 20 more yachts will come individually.
This has been confirmed by Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association’s Marine Operators Sub-Committee national co-ordinator, John Philp.
Mr Philp said the request for customs clearance in Lau was done in collaboration with the yachting industry, hotel industry and the Lau Provincial Council.
Attractions of Lau
Mr Philp believes having a port of entry in Lau for the yachting tourists could mean positive impact for the people of Lau in terms of cash inflow and infrastructure development.
He sees the Lau group of island as Fiji’s greatest treasures which could be a huge attraction for yachting tourism.
“Yachting tourists are very conscious to untouched environment and the cultural sensitivities of people, all of which is present in Lau,” he said.
Mr Philp noted Lau is one of Fiji’s most sensitive areas with a pristine environment and a place where iTaukei culture and traditions have been preserved.
After being given the approval to go ahead with the port of entry trial, Mr Philp said they are looking forward to Lau becoming a port of entry by next year.
“We would, together with the Lau Provincial Council, write to the Prime Ministers Office seeking Lau to become a port of entry,” he said.
Opening Lau Group
The Lau group used to be closed to yachting for many years and was an area not listed on the cruising permit issued by the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs.
In 2010, the Bainimarama Government opened the Lau Group to yachting tourism, however, because of the absence of a port of entry, even this has had little impact.
Statistics indicated that 56 per cent or 370 of the 662 foreign yachts that can to Fiji in 2012, arrived from ports upwind to the East name Tonga, Tahiti and Samoa etc.
All of these yachts sailed past the Lau Group nonstop on their way to one of the Eastern Ports of entry (Savusavu, Levuka or Suva).
Once cleared, these yachts would have to sail 100 to 130 nautical miles against the prevailing East/South East win fin an area of open ocean to go back to the Lau group.
For most yachts, this passage is simply not worth the discomfort and therefore continued on their journey without turning back.
Lau tourism in infancy
While Mr Philp said the World Oyster Rally is estimated to boost the Lau economy by $100,000, he said this is below the potential which exists in reality.
He said was the case as yachting tourism in Lau is still in infancy.
“So things are not well-stocked and really not set-up. Supply here has to grow to meet the demand,” he said.
Mr Philp said businesses in Lau need guidance to develop and be on par with those businesses on the mainland which are already established.
“There is a lot of potential in Lau but it needs to be carefully developed keeping cultural sensitivities in mid,” he said.
About World Oyster Rally
- Founded in 1973, Oyster has a worldwide reputation for its luxury, blue water cruising yachts renowned for their quality and performance.
- Oyster will celebrate its 40th Anniversary this year.
- A fleet of around 25 Oysters departed Antigua in the Caribbean on January 6 this year.
- The Oyster fleet has transited the Panama Canal before heading to the Pacific.
- The fleet after Tonga and passing Fiji, will move on to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, Bali and then to Cape Town in South Africa for Christmas.
- For the New Year 2014, the fleet heads for Carnival in Brazil before joining up for a final grand party with the Oyster Caribbean Regatta in Antigua in April 2014.
- With 22 planned stopovers around the 25,000 mile route, the fleet is supported throughout the event by Oyster’s own team of support staff.
One of the attractions in the Lau group of islands is the Bay of Islands in Vanuabalavu. The pristine environment in Lau is one of the factors which attracts cruising yachts.