The most precious assets of Fiji tourism are its people
and the natural environment. The people and the land are
inseparable. Both are part of the environment that are conducive
for tourism business operations to thrive.
It is only right and proper that the heritage
of Fiji,
its land and its people, are given the importance and consideration
they deserve. In this way, the economic potential of tourism,
and its ability to bring people of different backgrounds
and cultures together, will be realised.
Today's international tourists are increasingly
aware of environmental issues. They want to enjoy nature,
but they also want it to be protected and cherished. They
want to experience the authenticity of different cultures
and meet people from other backgrounds, who are yet willing
to share their views of the world and their way of life.
In particular, many modern tourists wish to spend time away
from hotels and discover rural Fiji.
For their part, Fijians have long been accustomed
to welcoming visitors from overseas, and the warmth of their
hospitality is legendary. They also value the economic benefits
tourism can bring. However, if the natural and social environment
which is so valued, and so valuable an aspect of tourism,
is to be sustained and enhanced over future years we must
plan its development sensibly and organise our institutions
to ensure that people in rural areas, especially, achieve
the maximum benefits from tourism, and provide a high quality
tourism product which is sustainable over time.
This policy and strategy document is designed
to achieve the above aims. It provides a working definition
of 'ecotourism', outlines the principles on which it should
be based, and emphasises the need to situate projects within
overall policy for tourism development and the environment.
Finally it proposes some institutional changes which will
facilitate the expansion of rural tourism while preserving
the essential natural and social environments on which its
future success must be based.
From Government perspective, this document
is a blueprint for the future.
