Tourism Fiji targets cruise ship sector

Tourism Fiji targets cruise ship sector
16/02/2009- Fijilive

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Plans are now in place to increase the flow of cruise liners through niche marketing activities showcasing lesser known areas of Fiji.

This was confirmed by Tourism Fiji chairman Patrick Wong today who said it was these cruise liners that generated and contributed the much needed foreign exchange earnings in the short period of time visiting our shores.

Wong said some of the non-traditional tourism areas that could benefit from cruise liners included the northern islands, Lomaiviti, Kadavu, Lau and Rotuma.

He said these plans would call for participation from all sectors in the community, from meke performers, firewalkers, entertainers, tour guides, ground operators, taxis and bus drivers, wood cavers, and weavers, etcetera.

“It also spreads the benefits of the tourism dollar by promoting non-traditional tourism areas and activities, supporting transportation companies, boat operators and small tourism related enterprise,” Wong said.

“It supports the government’s policy of spreading the tourism dollar throughout the islands and in support of small owner-operators, indigenous investors in the eco-tourism market such as trekking, diving, bird watching and soft adventure,” he said.

Wong said proposed plans would ensure the promotion of locally-owned enterprises that have no internationally-recognised branding and placing an emphasis on its unique selling points.

“But there is much work to be done with infrastructure on charting of our waters and identifying berthing and suitable mooring sights for the large liners” he said.