Fiji’s National Sustainable Tourism Framework Vision Gains Momentum under Coalition Government

9 June 2025 – Saweni, Lautoka Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Hon. Viliame Gavoka, congratulated the 2025 Sustainable Tourism Accelerator graduates in a ceremony held at The Fiji Orchid on June 9. The event highlighted Fiji’s growing leadership in community-led, sustainable tourism.

Hon. Gavoka praised the Accelerator programme for turning national policy into local impact. “We’re not just talking about change—we’re making it happen from the ground up,” he said, pointing to the success of this year’s participants as a clear sign of progress under the National Sustainable Tourism Framework, a key part of Fiji’s National Development Plan.

Local Leaders at the Heart of Change

The 2025 Accelerator cohort includes 12 driven entrepreneurs focused on sustainability, cultural preservation, climate adaptation, and inclusive growth. These ventures reflect a wider move toward tourism that supports both people and the environment.

The Minister highlighted the programme’s strong results: 92% of participants completed the training, and 91% have launched businesses already making a difference in their communities—creating jobs and building resilience across the country.

Strong Partnerships, Stronger Outcomes

Hon. Gavoka credited the programme’s success to strong partnerships, including support from Tourism Fiji, the Duavata Sustainable Tourism Collective, and private sector allies like Talanoa Treks and Bula Coffee. These collaborations, he said, create a vital support network for up-and-coming tourism leaders.

A Call to Keep the Momentum Going

He urged both public and private sectors to keep investing in programmes like the Accelerator, which align with Fiji’s broader tourism goals and also support climate action, gender equity, and inclusive growth. “If we want tourism to keep doing good, we need to back the people driving it forward,” he said.

Rethinking What Success Looks Like

In closing, Hon. Gavoka challenged old definitions of tourism success. He called for a shift toward impact that includes community wellbeing, environmental care, and cultural pride.

He called the graduates “trailblazers” of a new kind of tourism—one rooted in vanua, shared responsibility, and long-term sustainability.

“This is the future we’re building,” he said. “One where tourism lifts up every Fijian.”

As the Coalition Government pushes forward on its sustainability goals, the 2025 graduates show what’s possible when local leaders take the lead.

–ENDS–

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