Tourism Fiji has reactivated its Tourism Action Group (TAG) as the crisis in the Middle East intensifies, mobilising senior industry and government figures to prepare for possible knock‑on effects to Fiji’s fragile tourism recovery. The move, announced on Friday by Tourism Fiji chief executive Dr Paresh Pant, is intended to “collectively scenario‑plan across the short, medium and long term” and ensure a coordinated, agile response if global turmoil hits visitor numbers, air connectivity or operating costs.
Dr Pant said he convened key stakeholders to bring TAG back into operation as a single forum for strategic decision‑making. “In light of the deepening Middle East crisis, I convened key stakeholders to reactivate the Tourism Action Group to collectively scenario‑plan across the short, medium and long term,” he said, adding the initiative will help ensure the sector responds “with alignment, agility and a shared strategic vision.”
TAG will be chaired by Damend Goundar and includes Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka, Fiji Airways chief sales and marketing officer Kamal Haer, Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association CEO Fantasha Lockington, Permanent Secretary for Tourism and Civil Aviation Salaseini Daunabuna, Permanent Secretary for Finance Shiri Goundar, FNPF chief investment officer Naibuka Saune, and Dr Pant. The composition signals a whole‑of‑industry approach bringing together airlines, hoteliers, government policy makers and key financial stakeholders.
The group has a track record of guiding the industry through major disruptions, including natural disasters, political unrest and the COVID‑19 pandemic. Officials say the reactivation is intended to preserve the momentum the sector has rebuilt in recent years and to guard against the broader economic implications of the Middle East crisis — from rising fuel and shipping costs to potential declines in outbound travel from affected markets.
Those wider economic concerns were underscored earlier this month when the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission warned that disruptions in the Middle East could push up global oil prices and feed into domestic fuel and food costs. The commission noted Fiji imports all its fuel — a vulnerability that can translate into higher transport and operational costs for tourism businesses if international prices spike. TAG’s remit, according to Tourism Fiji, will include monitoring such scenarios and aligning contingency measures across the industry.
While Tourism Fiji has not outlined specific measures to be taken by TAG, the group’s membership reflects the range of levers that may be considered: protecting air connectivity and flight schedules with Fiji Airways, supporting hotels and tour operators through targeted marketing or crisis communications with the Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association, and coordinating fiscal or financial responses via the Ministry of Finance and FNPF should liquidity or cost pressures emerge.
Tourism is a critical pillar of Fiji’s economy and remains vulnerable to global shocks despite recovering visitor arrivals in the post‑COVID era. Reactivating TAG signals a pre‑emptive stance by authorities and the private sector to maintain that recovery and to ensure the industry has plans in place if the international situation worsens. Officials said TAG will meet regularly as the situation develops and will provide updates to industry partners on recommended actions and contingency planning.
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