NOTE: Free essay sample provided on this page should be used for references or sample purposes only. The sample essay is available to anyone, so any direct quoting without mentioning the source will be considered plagiarism by schools, colleges and universities that use plagiarism detection software. To get a completely brand-new, plagiarism-free essay, please use our essay writing service.
One click instant price quote
Tourism in Fiji The waves on Fiji's shore roll to vacant crowds. With political unrest embracing the capital, Suva, the nation's tourism industry has reached a virtual standstill. As in the 1987 Fijian coup this years has experienced downfall in the arrivals of tourists to the Fijian Islands as well as the South Pacific region, with the threat of worse to come. Although political turmoil is no stranger to the region's 13 island nations, only twice in the post-colonial era has democracy come under threat on both occasions in Fiji.
Fiji stands out amongst the Pacific Island nations for having the largest population and the highest level of economic and social development. It is therefore seen as an epicenter for the region. Fiji consists of 330 islands of which the two largest are Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. The capital is Suva, on the south eastern coast of Viti Levu. The other city is Lautoka situated on the north western coast of Viti Levu. However through the eyes of the tourist to all the other islands in the region, which means any effect on one can be seen as an effect on all.
After two military coups in 1987 the region was set for a time of economic prosperity as a result of the broadcasted publicity it had during intervals of the Americas Cup Campaign in late 1999 and early 2000. (Hall, p. 207) The overthrow of a democratically elected Government, little over a year old and enforcing a racially based rule of law however has not amused the International Community, and has affected the Tourism industry. Coup leader George Speight and an armed gang claiming to be fighting for the rights of Fiji's indigenous majority held dozens of hostages, including deposed Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry and other members of his government. As the stand-off in a sense has ended, tourist operators across picturesque Fiji are wondering when theyll be out of work if things dont improve soon. In the early days of the coup, resort owners and tourist operators downplayed the effects on the industry, saying there had only been a small number of cancellations. But with the coup ended, they tell a different story. "Of the 8, 000 people that are employed directly in the tourism industry, probably four to five thousand will, unless something changes in the next few weeks, lose their jobs, a reflection in the downfall of arrivals. (Shaw, p. 49) Before the coup, About 1, 500 people were arriving each day. The number has now dropped to about 400.
Now is peak season when the island resorts are usually fully booked and the beaches are lined with sunbathers, escaping the bitterness of harsh New Zealand winters. But under the present circumstances, the miles of beaches and island airstrips are empty. Yachts are moored rather than cruising in clear waters and nearly every tourist type equipment from swimming pools to scuba gear lie idle. (Hall, p. 244) During the 1987 coups there was mass exodus from the region, of skilled, intelligent ethnic Indians. The same is expected to occur if the rule of law were to reside with only indigenous Fijians. From the 1987 coups to the mid- 1990 s, about one in seven of the Indian community left Fiji. Resulting in a vacancy of highly illiterate people a loss to a generation of entrepreneurs that would have attracted investment to the region with Tourism to follow.
However because of this coup and the more heated racial subdivide, the movement of ethnic Indians is expected to be more rampant. The 1987 coup had a dramatic effect on the Fijian tourist industry, especially in Australia where 43 % of Fiji's tourists originate. (Shaw, p. 82) With the large decline in visitors to the Pacific's regional hub, the offset by resort managers was to set room prices at luxurious destinations at very low prices-some at ten dollars. Air Pacific a major carrier to the region see no need for lowering prices to the regions destinations, yet to the consumer. This I see as a problem to the arrival of visitors to the region. During the 1987 coup flight costs dropped to $ 239 return, in order to offset the uneasiness of traveling to still a hostile place, as the case should be now. This offset in prices appealed to the global tourists and soon saw tourism regain its place as the number one earner for the economies GDP.
Even here in Dunedin travel agents are reporting heavy cancellations of Fiji travel and predicting a lean period ahead for the tourism-reliant island group. As the most dynamic industry over the last decade, tourism has played a key role in maintaining, but not increasing, the proportion of wage earning jobs available in the economy. However with the coup affecting this industry common people are to be affected in a severe way. It cannot be stressed enough how the coup could hardly have come at a worse time for the region. Last year saw record arrivals entering through the Airport terminal, even better in the first quarter of this year. It has been said also that improvements on accommodation were intended to appeal to the global tourist.
According to reports the Fijian coup is at the moment costing around $NZ 1 million a day in lost tourism earnings. Chief Executive Sitiveni Yaqona said in the first two weeks of June after the coup, the nation lost $ 20 million. Since the coup erupted visitor numbers have decreased. In the first two weeks, just 6831 visitors had arrived, with a daily average of 455 visitors. That compared with 38, 455 for all of last June, at a daily average of 1281 people. (Hall, p. 271) With the main influx of tourists coming from New Zealand and Australia, the respective governments are still widely advising their citizens to stay away, causing the tourism downfall to intensify. I think that Fiji will still bounce back faster than the two prior coups because the longer the Islands are without Tourist influx of dollars, resorts are unable to keep staff, and I do see in the near future that packages will be set to entice travelers back to the beautiful island.
The Army is doing their best for the country by showing that they do not stand for the reasoning behind the coup, by arresting the leaders as well, which in a way can be seen as a sense of relief to the international community and tourists as a whole. However even with my views of the early recovery, I still think it will take over a year for the whole region to rehabilitate. However, there are a lot of opportunities to recover tourism in Fiji. The Eco-Challenge Pacific 2002 race expedition event now witnessed in Fiji may just be another weekly exhilarating, adrenalin-pumping pass-time for the family on paid TV. Some nerve wrecking, extreme sports from the west captivating the minds of over 85 million households across the world during the last ten years. For that average working class abroad, its the grasp at lifetimes chance for the frequent nomad, trotting his backpack to the remoteness of the jungle bunker exhausted with fascinating jagged limestone cliffs.
A dare devil trip to the never-ending culminating in a dive into the brilliant turquoise seas, snorkeling in the coral reefs, an experience magnificent towering waterfalls and over the narrow canyons, something never done before. On the local front, the monetary stimulation and excitement derived from this solely nature- based adventure; sightseeing and responsible travel was persuasive for our small island state as they pulled together resources for this eco-tourism project. When Fiji outbid contending countries to host the event, the opportune door that was virtually left ajar seemingly widened into marketable opportunities for some of countrys virgin and wild terrains. Stakeholders knew that the rugged course of exploration into this unknown paradise came at a price with promising large tourism returns. Basically for Fiji 2002, it meant a quick buck for the resource owner in any location, employment generation for the mass and thousands more dollars accumulated in the national economy. World renown magazine, The Economist stated that FJ$ 521 million was derived from the tourism sector in 2001, approximately 25 % of Gross Domestic Product and eventually helping to keep the countrys balance of payments.
The Euro-based magazine predicts 410, 000 visitors by the end of 2003 and these are just elements of major derivatives for the sector that envelops these daring eco-tourism developments. The Fiji Visitors Bureau, the governments marketing arm, says that Eco-Challenge race expedition 2002 organizers spent a little over US$ 3 million alone in logistics to stage the event in Fiji. FVB marketing officer, Server Tagicakiverata anticipates this to have a high trickle down effect on the national economy and stimulation into the rural village community. "The fact that villagers in Navucini in Naitasiri are cutting bamboo trees from their home backyards and selling it to the organizers to construct bilibin boats speaks volumes of the related activities that villages in the remote areas can sell for that tourism dollar, " Mr. Tagicakiverata said. (Weaver, p. 104) That is one advantage from the 500 kilometers distance in the race so along the way the opportunity of earning from this nature based adventure is great. This eco-challenge event provides resource owners the liberty amongst other leisure entertainments, to set up souvenir stalls along the way from the eight discipline stations to villages, employed as tour guides and etc. More important again their participation is what the governments seek to establish in the eco-tourism sector.
On the mainland, FVB reported a 90 % occupancy rate in hotels around Nadi and an increase spending in the travel and hospitality industry indirectly pours in foreign exchange for the economy. FVB estimates the benefits will pump US$ 1. 6 million into the local economy with the exemptions of other related costs. Indicators confidently point to consistent stimulation in the local tourism industry even after the event. "Most eco-challenge followers originate from a healthy business background and taking with them memories is something great for Fiji, " Mr. Tagicakiverata said. (Weaver, p. 105) The Eco-challenge expedition race is the brainchild of Mark Burnett, the executive producer of the globally renowned multi ward winning Survivor series. "And the trend is that the Survivor follows suit to the host country of the eco-challenge event, " Mr.
Tagicakiverata said. (Weaver, p. 111) With that in mind, the Ministry of Tourism expects an increased flow-on effect of tourism, promotion and global exposure that eventually pull investments into eco-tourism projects. Principal Tourism officer at the Ministry of Tourism, Manoa Malani says it has long been part of previous governments policies to promote eco-tourism. "In the light of encouraging participation from resource owners and generating income for the rural dwellers, "Mr. Malani said. (Weaver, p. 113) Malani adds the present governments affirmative action and blueprint for the Fiji and Rotumans has now solidified the drive for all ecology based sustainable development of tourism in the country. The staging of the Eco-challenge 2002 in Fiji is as significant to the organizers as it is for the government in its drive to develop more eco-tourism projects in the country. The National Economic Summit purposely the backbone of 2003 budgets also heard submissions from the tourism sector Submissions by Ministry of Finance and National Planning for the summit depicts how the current government is focused on expanding mainstream tourism and promoting sustainable eco-tourism developments, and importantly increasing the participation of resource owners in the industry.
Fiji Islands Trade and Investment Bureau, a major stakeholder in the business has set up a tourism support services to focus on the tourism sector. This features services facilities for potential operators in a wide range of activities for investors. This includes waterfall, lake and cave sites; aquatic leisure, mountains site activities and river activities, unique land flora and fauna sites, view-horse riding, relaxing and phot 0 graph, historical sites sand dunes activities unique geographical and geographical sites typical village settings experience charter sailing sport fishing traditional earth-oven cooking exhibitions, recreational seas-shore sports. FTIB planning officer, Keemti Subrail said market investigations undertaken into Fiji's tourism industry revealed the country has a huge potential to increase tourist numbers at an accelerated rate relative to previous growth rates. "Thats if it can invest in new accommodation and latest attractions to improve the whole destinations environment it seeks to promote, " Ms Subrail said. (Weaver, p. 114) Ms Subrail said that the eco-support services sector has grown rapidly over the years with establishment of formal and informal outdoors recreational and leisure activities operations on the likes of Eco-Challenge 2002. An increasing worldwide trend on nature based tourism activities has seen a demand-driven thrust towards this market segment. Ms Subrail states that for an initial set-up of an eco-tourism support service, the estimated total initial project cost inclusive of the 1 -month working capital would be of $ 42, 460. (Weaver, p. 117) "This will allow estimated incomes leveled at $ 387, 360 for year 1, increasing to $ 59, 840 by year 3, "Ms Subrail forecasted. (Weaver, p. 117) The annual profit derived though this operation is estimated at $ 171, 516 for year 1, increasing to $ 288, 591 by year 2 and increasing further to $ 291, 494 by year 3. "This investment project will provide you with an average gross return of 33 % over the 3 year period, " Ms Subrail concludes. (Weaver, p. 117) Again for any willing investor, the required input prior to the operational period are financial input for Capital, conformity to government regulation, site development, hiring of discipline and effective labor force, training, land and other natural sites acquisition.
This is achievable in consultations with appropriate authority namely the government, NLTB, private owner, licensing from Hotel Licensing Board. The observers state that "tourism is the driving force behind the Fijian economy but the tropical archipelago is experiencing a new wave of economic stimulus in which knowledge industries gain centre-stage. " (Shaw, p. 140) Being the economic hub of the South Pacific, a single flight over an endless blue basin brings enjoyment for tourists whilst stimulating the sector into a billion dollar industry, conserving Fijian heritage, natures greenest landscapes and creating employment for masses. Minister for Tourism, Pita Nacuva said they targeted to become a billion-dollar industry by 2007 when he launched the Eco-Challenge in Nadi. "Our mission is to be a billion dollar industry by the year 2007, tourism by then, would undeniably be the biggest revenue earner for the country, in terms of foreign exchange, employment generation and would have indirect and induced impact on the economy, " Mr. Nacuva said. (Weaver, p. 122) Words Count: 2, 402. Bibliography: Bosselman, Fred P. , Craig A. Peterson, and Claire McCarthy.
Managing Tourism Growth: Issues and Applications. Washington, D. C. : Island Press, 1999. Hall, Colin Michael and Stephen John Page. The Geography of Tourism and Recreation: Environment, Place and Space. London: Routledge, 2002.
Ringer, Greg. Destinations: Cultural Landscapes of Tourism. London and New York: Routledge, 1998. Shaw, Gareth and Allan Williams. Critical Issues in Tourism: A Geographical Perspective.
Oxford: Blackwell Publishing, 2002. Weaver, David B. Ecotourism in the Less Developed World. New York: CAB International, 2002.
Free research essays on topics related to: billion dollar industry, tourism industry, rule of law, hall p, foreign exchange
Research essay sample on Billion Dollar Industry Rule Of Law
