THERE is a need to change the narrative of waste management crisis in the tourism sector, says Pacific Recycling Foundation founder and CEO Amitesh Deo.
Speaking at the PRF roundtable discussions on Global Recycling Day in Nadi yesterday Mr Deo said resorts and hotels need to realise they were the big contributors of waste.
“I want to highlight that there is a need to change the narrative,” he said.
“And I always speak based on experiences because countries are different.
“But in our case, I remember two years ago when we were trying to highlight the waste management crisis, and we were getting a lot of pushbacks.
“We should not be talking and involving it as a crisis because it might have an impact on our tourism sector.
“We were getting letters to the editor about the whole thing.
“Is it correct for us to highlight waste management is the issue when you are so dependent on tourism.
“And that narrative needs to change.
“Resorts and hotels need to realise that they are the big contributors.
“We will always need tourism, and we will always welcome the tourists coming into Fiji, which is part of what we do.”
Mr Deo said some resorts had been part of the PRF programs.
“And we need more of them to come for the right reasons.
“They realise a change in approach is needed.
“When tourists come, they feel like they come to Fiji not to do any harm but to experience Fiji’s nature.”
