The chairman of the MSME Council, Watesoni Nata Jr, expressed the belief that small businesses should not incur the same costs as larger, multi-million-dollar enterprises for booth space at the Fijian Tourism Expo (FTE). During the recent Fiji Convention 2024 held in Nadi, Mr. Nata emphasized the need for a more strategic approach to developing and marketing products for smaller operators. He proposed implementing a tiered pricing system for operators attending the event.
“We believe as small businesses that we shouldn’t pay the same as larger firms for booth space,” Mr. Nata stated, arguing that larger companies could afford to pay higher fees, thereby enabling lower rates for smaller businesses.
In response, Brent Hill, CEO of Tourism Fiji, acknowledged the importance of the Convention as a platform for stakeholders to share their challenges and aspirations. He emphasized that supporting smaller operators is essential, recognizing their significant role in the tourism ecosystem.
Mr. Hill noted that last year during Tourism SuperWeek, over 50 small businesses were supported at no charge to participate, along with an additional 60 small businesses that benefitted from a sponsorship enabling their attendance at AdventureEDU training. He reiterated their commitment to finding ways to reduce costs for small and micro businesses entering the tourism sector.
“Tourism Fiji is dedicated to ensuring our operators are prepared for the tourism landscape,” Mr. Hill said, highlighting the efforts of their Destination Development team working closely with local businesses to equip them for trade opportunities. He mentioned that the next Tourism Super Week is scheduled for May 5-9, 2025, to provide ongoing training and upskilling for small businesses.
In addition to training programs, Mr. Hill noted that they offer free support for micro businesses and SMEs through various online resources, including insights and webinars, and their website also helps enhance visibility in the tourism market.
Regarding Mr. Nata’s suggestion for a tiered pricing structure for the FTE, Mr. Hill assured that they understand the concerns raised and are actively seeking solutions to make participation accessible to all trade-ready operators, regardless of their size. He concluded by affirming the need for collaboration with the MSME Council and other stakeholders to strengthen the tourism industry.