FORGE Pacific co-founder Watesoni Nata Junior has proposed a strategic partnership with the Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association (FHTA) and the Ministry of Tourism to bridge the divide between resort operators and local suppliers.
Speaking during an information session at the HOTEC 2026 tradeshow in Nadi, Mr Nata highlighted the ongoing disconnect preventing local farmers and small enterprises from entering mainstream tourism supply chains.
He said while hoteliers sought reliable, quality produce and farmers required clear market access, the missing link remained targeted business development support and aggregation.
“At Forge Pacific, we believe the bridge requires practical, on-world business development support,” Mr Nata said.
“It starts with understanding what hotels actually need.
“Their procurement requirements, volumes, quality standards, delivery schedules, and payment processes.”
Mr Nata said that individual producers often struggled to meet high-volume demands independently, making collective coordination essential.
“For example, one farmer might struggle to supply 200 kilograms of tomatoes every week, but several farmers coordinating their production may be able to do so.”
He said hands-on assistance must extend beyond temporary workshops to ensure long-term commercial success and establish reliable, sustainable supply arrangements across the tourism sector.
He also challenged hoteliers to reimagine local procurement by integrating authentic Fijian storytelling into guest experiences and shortening payment terms to support small-scale supplier cash flow.
He urged resort operators to view local sourcing as a vital commercial opportunity rather than mere charity.
Turning to operational bottlenecks, Mr Nata identified delayed payments as a major threat to supplier consistency, arguing that standard 30 to 60-day terms placed an unfair burden on micro-enterprises.
“Imagine a farmer delivers $5000 worth of fresh produce to a hotel. They’ve already paid for seeds, fertiliser, labour, harvesting and transport.
“We cannot ask small farmers to consistently supply our hotels, while expecting them to finance the 60 days of the hotel’s procurement cycle.”
Mr Nata urged properties to pay on delivery or adopt seven-day terms.
Exhibitors and tourism stakeholders learn about products on display at the HOTEC tradeshow in Nadi.
Picture: BALJEET SINGH
