Nadi, Fiji 28 Oct 2024. The Building Island Climate Resilience and Sustainable Tourism Workshop, which will be held over four days at the Novotel Nadi, began today with opening remarks from the Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Hon. Viliame Gavoka.

This workshop, attended by representatives from Pacific Island States including Tonga, the Cook Islands, Samoa, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, and Fiji, serves as a crucial platform for addressing climate change challenges. Fiji is spearheading efforts by integrating Indigenous Knowledge and Nature-Based Solutions into tourism strategies to ensure the industry respects the environment and preserves cultural heritage.

Key facilitators like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the US Department of Commerce, and the South Pacific Tourism Organization (now known as the Pacific Tourism Organization, PTO) underscore the importance of collaboration. Their vision and commitment emphasize the collective responsibility to protect our islands and sustain the vital tourism sector.

The workshop is focused on enhancing local capacity and collaboration for effective climate change adaptation in the Pacific Islands. It aims to improve stakeholder awareness and engagement in developing regional standards for sustainable tourism, fostering a resilient and sustainable future while addressing the impacts of climate change on tourism and local communities.

Fiji’s tourism, contributing approximately 40% to the GDP and supporting 119,000 jobs, is crucial for the nation’s economic health and the livelihoods of many Fijians. The growth in visitor numbers provides an opportunity to enhance marketing efforts and visitor experiences, ensuring sustainable tourism that benefits both the environment and the people.

This gathering showcases Fiji’s leadership in promoting climate resilience and environmental stewardship through tourism, transforming today’s challenges into opportunities and setting a global example of sustainable tourism.

To read more of the Minister’s speech, please click here.