TRAVEL industry leaders from Australia and New Zealand have joined Fiji’s Tourism Action Group (TAG) as observers, strengthening the two-way engagement between Fiji and its two largest visitor markets.
Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) chief executive officer Dean Long and Travel Agents Association of New Zealand (TAANZ) chief executive officer Julie White accepted invitations to participate as observers in TAG discussions.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka, TAG chairman Damend Gounder, Tourism Fiji chief executive officer Dr Paresh Pant and tourism industry stakeholders welcomed the two executives at a luncheon at Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa.
Australia and New Zealand collectively account for about 70 per cent of Fiji’s international visitor arrivals, making the two markets critical to the performance of the tourism sector.
Mr Gavoka said the inclusion of ATIA and TAANZ would strengthen Fiji’s engagement with the two markets.
“Given the importance of tourism to our economy, the inclusion of ATIA and TAANZ in TAG will further strengthen these relationships and enhance collaboration on matters of mutual importance to Fiji’s tourism industry,” the DPM said.
Mr Gounder said TAG had maintained a working relationship with the two associations since 1987.
“I am pleased to welcome ATIA and TAANZ as observers to TAG,” he said.
Dr Pant said the arrangement would allow the perspectives of Fiji’s two largest source markets to be considered in TAG discussions.
“The inclusion of ATIA and TAANZ ensures that the perspectives of Fiji’s two largest source markets are part of our ongoing discussions,” he said.
TAG brings together tourism stakeholders to discuss issues affecting the sector, with the inclusion of the two travel industry associations providing a formal avenue for greater input from Australia and NZ.
