The draft Tourism Bill 2026 introduces a formal registration and recognition system that would require every tourism enterprise operating in Fiji to apply for official recognition through the Ministry of Tourism. The measure, unveiled in the draft legislation, mandates that businesses submit a prescribed application form that includes classification details, a declaration of legal compliance, a self-assessment of obligations, and payment of a required fee.
Under the proposed law the Ministry of Tourism would have 30 days to approve or reject each application. Where applications are refused, the Ministry must give reasons and allow applicants an opportunity to address stated deficiencies. The Bill also makes it an offence to provide false or misleading information in an application, with penalties to be applied to offenders.
A significant feature of the draft Bill is the reliance on operator self-assessments as the primary basis for recognition. While the self-assessment route is intended to streamline the process and place responsibility with operators, the legislation retains powers for the Ministry to conduct audits and inspections to verify compliance. Officials say this hybrid approach aims to balance administrative efficiency with government oversight.
Enterprises that meet the requirements and gain approval would receive a recognition certificate and be listed on a publicly accessible Tourism Enterprise Register maintained by the Ministry. The public registry is presented in the Bill as a tool to boost transparency and accountability across the sector, enabling consumers, tourism partners and regulators to identify recognised operators and facilitating access to incentives and other support for eligible businesses.
Ministry officials have framed the Bill as a step to raise industry standards and strengthen regulatory oversight while making it easier for compliant businesses to access government benefits. By centralising registration and issuing recognition certificates, the government intends to create a clearer pathway for legitimate operators to demonstrate compliance and qualify for incentives tied to recognised status.
As a draft, the Bill is not yet law; it sets out the framework but leaves detail on forms, classification categories, fees and enforcement procedures to be finalised through the legislative process and accompanying regulations. The proposal marks the latest attempt by authorities to tighten regulation of Fiji’s tourism sector following concerns in recent years about standards and safety in some parts of the industry. The impact on operators — particularly small and informal providers — will depend on how the Ministry implements the rules and what support is offered to bring businesses into compliance.
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