THE Rosie Travel Group has signed an agreement with the Australian government-funded Market Development Facility (MDF) to expand Fiji’s accessible and inclusive tourism market, with a focus on travellers from Australia and New Zealand.
Demand for accessible travel is growing across Australasia, driven by an ageing population, multi-generational travel and rising expectations for inclusive visitor experiences.
Tourism Research Australia reported that accessible tourism generated a record $AU29.2 billion (approx $F49.6b) in expenditure across 70.5 million trips in 2024.
As part of the initiative, Rosie Travel Group has launched AccessibleFiji.com, a destination platform aimed at increasing awareness of accessible tourism options, supporting accessibility assessments and promoting inclusive travel experiences across Fiji.
Rosie Travel Group group general manager Eroni Puamau said Fiji had significant potential to grow its accessible and inclusive travel market.
“AccessibleFiji.com is a very deliberate strategy to tap the huge potential for Fiji and to do it properly,” Mr Puamau said.
“And so, it is very important that we build our awareness of what this traveller requires in terms of handling and service.”
The partnership will also support Fiji’s first Accessible Travel Awareness Workshop for the tourism industry, to be held from September 23-25 at the Tanoa International Hotel in Nadi.
The workshop will be delivered by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and will focus on accessible travel standards, customer needs and service delivery.
Under the partnership, MDF will also support Rosie Travel Group to strengthen local training capacity through the Rosie Academy.
The program will help tourism businesses develop the skills and knowledge needed to better serve travellers with diverse access requirements.
Following the workshop, Rosie Travel Group staff are expected to become GSTC-certified trainers, enabling them to deliver accessible tourism training and accreditation.
MDF Fiji country director Kelera Cavuilati said accessible tourism could strengthen Fiji’s tourism sector while also making it possible for more people to experience the country.
“Making tourism more accessible and inclusive benefits everyone,” Ms Cavuilati said.
“It opens opportunities for more people to experience Fiji, while helping businesses better meet the needs of a changing visitor market.
“Rosie Travel Group is showing leadership in this space, and we’re pleased to support an initiative that can help build awareness and capability across the industry.”
The partnership reflects a growing commitment to ensuring Fiji’s tourism sector evolves to meet the needs of a changing visitor market.
By building local expertise, strengthening industry awareness and promoting accessible travel experiences, Rosie Travel Group and MDF are helping lay the foundations for a more inclusive and competitive tourism industry for Fiji.
