Tourism industry leakage is a big factor in national development and there is a need to understand what leakages are taking place from which sun-sectors or the industry.
This was highlighted by Professor Paresh Narayan of Monash University and the president of the Asia-Pacific Applied Economics Association (APAEA) at a public lecture held at the Reserve Bank of Fiji on Wednesday.
Speaking on the issue ‘Global tourism industry’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and policy implications for Fiji’s tourism industry’, Prof Narayan said understanding the revenue leakages would enable the government to make informed taxation and investment policies.
According to Prof Narayan, Fiji’s tourism industry has done well but that is no reason to be complacent.
“We need to continue to search for innovation and uniqueness of our tourism product. We need to embrace and market an identity for Fiji tourism that ensures that we become shock (like the pandemic or other extreme events) resistant,” he said.
“Fiji has not been able to achieve a global tourism identity that is shock resistant.”
Prof Narayan said Fiji needed to develop its tourism identity that could stand the tide of global shocks.
“I am suggesting Fiji enhance its ecotourism component. Green tourism that blends climate change will be an idea Fiji tourism product.”
He said while ecotourism had been in Fiji for ages, it had not grown to the extent that it could benefit the locals, including indigenous people and villages.
“It has not been sufficiently developed to enhance the livelihood of the indigenous populations that are at the forefront of village based ecotourism.
“We need to see this grow to become a truly global model of success.
“Ecotourism — village based tourism- should be enhanced while retaining the green tourism aspects. This when done will make Fiji tourism sustainable, socially beneficial and environmentally friendly.”
