$23.5m strategy

Ropate Valemei
Tuesday, March 26, 2013

THE Ministry of Public Enterprises and Tourism invests $23.5million every year in international marketing through Tourism Fiji and $3m for operations as it continues its support to boost the industry.

Speaking at the Fiji-New Zealand trade and investment mission seminar in Suva this month, the ministry's principal tourism officer Nanise Masau said the international market competition and positioning Fiji's tourism sector in the global arena were their biggest challenges.

"Government's commitment to tourism includes airport upgrades in Labasa, Nausori and Nadi. For Suva, $59m has been set aside until 2022 for developments in three stages while the Nadi Airports Decree 2012 modernisation has been scheduled to start in June," she said.

"The Labasa runway upgrade is scheduled for the end of the month. For seaports, $5m has been earmarked for the Middle Point Labasa development while $2m has been set for Port Denarau dredging and $8m for the bridge.

"There is also the Ellington Wharf potential particularly with the Kings Road improvements."

She said the Fiji Roads Authority had been allocated $422m for road improvements this year particularly when 70 per cent of hotel rooms were located along the Viti Levu coasts and urban centres.

There were a lot of investment opportunities with air, land and sea transport facilities and services.

"Investment opportunities also lie with different activities like tours, sports, cultural events and entertainment, accommodation like hotels and resorts, restaurants, retail, human resource development and training, and technology," she said.

Investment Fiji chief executive officer Ravuni Uluilakeba said the seminar was an opportunity to encourage more investments in the country by way of engaging local and international stakeholders.