Turaga Talatala Rev. Naibuka Lata
Assistant Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Hon. Alitia Bainivalu, 
Convention Chair, Michael Nacola, 
Esteemed Guest Speakers and Panelists, 
Industry Stakeholders, 
Distinguished Guests, 
Members of the Media, 
Ladies and Gentlemen.

Bula Vinaka!

Full disclaimer, having the Convention  here at the Shangri-La Yanuca was not entirely my decision. Although it is wonderful to be back where I spent over a decade of my career in the industry. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

When I looked at the Agenda, the first thing I asked was to remove me as Chief Guest. I am not here as a Guest-of-honour. I am here as part of the greater Fiji tourism community, as part of you. 

So I join the Permanent Secretary and Chair in welcoming you to the 2023 Fiji Tourism Convention. It’s been a while. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

Looking back at the last eleven months, here is what we have seen: 

● We have returned to 2019 levels of GDP with the Fijian economy projected to expand by 8.2 percent.
● This quick recovery is on the back of the tourism industry.
● In the 10 months this year (Jan-Oct), we not only recovered pre-pandemic numbers, but are around 3.0 percent higher.

● By the end of the year, our visitor arrivals are expected to be 4 percent higher than 2019 — reaching a new record. And by next year, we will have received a million visitors. 
● Tourism earnings for the first half of the year surpassed the same period in 2019. Perhaps a better measure. 
● Investor confidence is strong, with the tourism sector leading investments. There are some big names talking to us. These will materialize in the near future. 
● New hotels are in the pipeline with renovations/extension of existing ones.
● Our tourism brand was refreshed, making itself known in places we didn’t before. 
● Hotels are reporting average occupancy of 80 percent. 
● The national airline, Fiji Airways, not only re-opened all our direct routes, but added new destinations and new markets.

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

Safe to say, we have had a good year. I have been meeting a lot of the brands here and around the world. I met the Shangri-La Executives at their HQ in Hong Kong and was told that Shangri-La Yanuca Fiji is one of their best performing properties. 

But a good year doesn’t guarantee status quo. And frankly, it shouldn’t. 

WHY ARE WE HOSTING THE CONVENTION 

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

I recall the former Governor of the Reserve Bank, Sada Reddy, saying at the 2010 Fiji Tourism Forum, held in Plantation Island Resort, “the tourism sector holds huge promise for our country given that most of the other sectors are not performing as well.”

Over a decade later, we find ourselves in a similar socio-economic situation. I know we fully appreciate relying on one sector is not sustainable. Hon. Prof Biman would very strongly agree and he sends his best wishes. 

But as I always say, it doesn’t have to be one or the other. We can continue to explore other opportunities, invest in traditional sectors while harnessing new ones. And tourism is very well placed to be that conduit. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

We are convening the Fiji Tourism Convention to come together and look at how we can manage the industry in the now – and in the future. As indicated by the Chair, when I became a Minister, I said let’s bring back the Convention. 

We are a new Government. And like those who have come before us, we cannot fix everything in this forum alone. But it’s still critical that we hear from each other and see how we can continue to be sustainable in the longer term. 

NATIONAL SUSTAINABLE TOURISM FRAMEWORK 

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

As you can see from the banners, we have developed Fiji’s 10-Year National Sustainable Tourism Framework. It looks at four key areas: 
1. Prosperous Visitor Economy
2. Thriving and Inclusive Communities
3. Visible and Valued Cultures
4. Healthy Islands and Oceans

Many of you have been involved in its formulation. If you haven’t been able to, you can today. This is a collective strategy with a shared vision of what we want for the industry. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

With those few words, I thank you again for coming — especially those coming from Vanua Levu and our other islands.

I look forward to the deliberations under the able Chairmanship of Mr Nacola. 

I also take this opportunity to thank you all for all your efforts and your commitment this year. 

Have a safe, festive season. 

Vinaka vakalevu — here’s to an even better 2024.