Tarukua, Cicia, Lau – The Lau Tourism Scoping Mission, led by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Hon. Viliame Gavoka, continued today on Cicia Island, where the delegation was formally received by the Vanua o Walakewa, the chiefly tribe of the Tui Cicia, through a traditional iQalovi ceremony.
In his engagement with community leaders, Minister Gavoka reiterated his vision for sustainable and inclusive tourism development across the Lau Group.
The Vanua o Walakewa responded by outlining its own tourism vision for Cicia, identifying a range of potential tourism sites and assets, reflecting strong local preparedness and community ownership of future tourism development.
Drawing on current development work underway in Vanua Levu through the World Bank-supported Na Vualiku Program, Mr Phil Harmon Na Vualiku Program Tourism Specialist briefed the community on the four pillars of tourism development, Attractions, Access, Amenities, and Accommodation.
He highlighted that investment in tourism-enabling infrastructure also delivers wider public benefits, including upgrades to wharves and jetties, airports and airstrips, health facilities, and other essential services, improving connectivity and resilience for communities across the Lau Group.
As part of the day’s assessments, the delegation undertook a tour of the island, including a visit to the Cicia Airstrip, where community representatives raised concerns regarding operational disruptions during recent wet weather. The delegation conducted a visual inspection following reports that aircraft had been unable to land over the past two weeks, with the community requesting consideration of a runway and tarmac upgrade.
The visit concluded back at the village, where the delegation was hosted to a community lunch before formally presenting its iTatau, ahead of departure to the Government vessel.
The mission will proceed to its final stop at Vanuabalavu tomorrow, before returning to Suva on Sunday.
