PRESS STATEMENT BY THE DEPUTY PM AND MINISTER FOR TOURISM & CIVIL AVIATION
As Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Ilisapeci Matatolu as the new Chairperson of the Tourism Fiji Board.
Ms. Matatolu brings a wealth of experience in destination marketing. Her tenure includes over a decade with Tourism Fiji, formerly known as the Fiji Visitors Bureau as Regional Director for Australia and later North America, from 2002 to 2013.
Ms. Matatolu is currently pursuing Doctoral studies at USP, focusing on indigenous women, tourism, and gender equality, and has published widely on topics such as entrepreneurship, quality of life, and innovation in tourism.
Ms. Matatolu is a proud iTaukei pracademic whose career bridges academic research and industry leadership. She holds a Tourism Degree from James Cook University and a Master of Arts from the University of the South Pacific (USP), where she also lectured in Tourism and Hospitality.
This is a time of opportunity for the Fijian tourism sector. We are at a critical juncture in our recovery and growth. Ms. Matatolu’s leadership will help steer Tourism Fiji in a direction that is bold, innovative, and responsive to global trends and market demands. Her appointment adds depth to the strategic capacity of the Board, and I am confident she will serve with vision and purpose.
Ms. Matatolu replaces Mr. Andre Viljoen, who has served the Board with outstanding dedication. I take this opportunity to sincerely thank Mr. Viljoen for his leadership during one of the most challenging periods in our industry’s history. His guidance throughout the COVID- 19 pandemic was instrumental in maintaining focus and stability at a time when the tourism sector faced unprecedented disruption. His legacy remains firmly in the various accolades that we, as a nation, and Tourism Fiji and Fiji Airways, are proud of.
The work of the previous Board under Mr. Viljoen’s Chairmanship laid a solid foundation for not just recovery, but growth. They navigated the sector through immense uncertainty and ensured that Fiji emerged resilient and future-ready. I acknowledge their service and express my gratitude for their tireless efforts.
Looking ahead, I am optimistic. With Ms Matatolu at the helm, Tourism Fiji is well positioned to deliver on our national tourism objectives. I encourage the new leadership to continue driving innovation, building partnerships, and ensuring that our tourism success is inclusive and sustainable.
I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Ms. Ilisapeci Matatolu on her appointment and look forward to working closely with her and the Board to shape the future of Fiji’s tourism sector.
Viliame R. Gavoka
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Tourism & Civil Aviation