The draft Tourism Bill 2026 unveiled by the Ministry of Tourism tightens environmental safeguards and places new legal obligations on tourism developments to bolster climate resilience, with public consultations beginning today in Suva. The proposed law would make an approved Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) a precondition for any tourism project, reinforcing compliance with existing environmental regulations and raising the bar for how new resorts, marinas and other tourist infrastructure are assessed and authorised.
A central plank of the Bill requires that all tourism infrastructure be designed and maintained to withstand climate-related hazards. Developers would need to consult with climate change and infrastructure authorities to ensure buildings, access roads and coastal facilities meet resilience standards intended to reduce damage from storms, sea-level rise and other climate impacts. The draft frames these measures as integral to long-term sector sustainability rather than optional guidelines.
The Bill also introduces specific protections for activities near marine protected areas, national heritage sites and culturally sensitive locations. Operators working in or adjacent to those zones would be bound to follow relevant legislation, guidance and best practices to minimise environmental harm. The Ministry would be empowered to impose tailored conditions on approvals or to establish buffer zones that restrict development in particularly vulnerable or significant areas.
Marine and nature-based tourism receive particular attention in the draft. The text sets out expectations for operators to protect ecosystems, respect traditional fishing grounds and support conservation efforts — measures aimed at reducing pressure on coral reefs, mangroves and other key habitats that underpin Fiji’s visitor appeal. The provisions signal an intent to marry economic development with stewardship of marine resources that local communities depend on for livelihoods and food security.
The consultations starting in Suva are the first formal step in stakeholder engagement on the draft Bill. The Ministry of Tourism has invited input from industry operators, conservation groups, community leaders and other government agencies, including climate and infrastructure bodies that will have a role in assessing resilience standards. How the proposals are received by business groups and local communities will shape any revisions before the legislation moves forward.
The draft Tourism Bill 2026 represents a clear policy shift toward embedding environmental protection and climate adaptation into the legal framework for Fiji’s tourism sector. With tourism a major economic driver for the country and its coastal and marine environments increasingly exposed to climate risks, the Bill sets out a regulatory pathway intended to reduce environmental impacts and enhance the sector’s long-term viability — subject to outcomes from the current round of consultations.