Tourism is heavily dependent on the success of the civil aviation industry, says Deputy Prime Minister Viliame Gavoka.

“Last week, I said in our Parliament how Fiji’s tourism industry was performing post-COVID,” Mr Gavoka said while speaking to aviation experts in Nadi this week.

“Forward booking scenarios for 2023 globally shows that international tourism arrivals could reach between 80 and 95 per cent of pre-pandemic levels this year alone. In 2022, Fiji recovered 71 per cent of pre-pandemic visitor numbers.

“By volume, we reached 73 per cent of pre-pandemic tourism numbers and the recovery of course is closely tied with the aviation industry.”

He said this was why it was important for the aviation sector to be trained and equipped to assist in the economic development of any country.

“One of the important things about training is that aviation is a highly technical and often heavily regulated sector and this means there is an even greater need to build and sustain strong partnerships to see progressive modernisation and advancement in the aviation sector.”

He said it was also important for politicians to understand the work of those in the aviation sector.

“I am a politician and a politician is subject to a lot of influence from the community.

“Sometimes there are airline operators and when they don’t like CAAF they call me but I say that I am not a technical person and I advise them to go according to the regulations set up by CAAF and that is something for our people to learn.

“I am just a politician and it is important for me to stay away from this work.

“I will do my work to help and give you the resources and then stay away from it,” said Mr Gavoka.