Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Viliame Gavoka, together with the Fijian Ambassador to Japan, Filimone Waqabaca, is representing Fiji at the Tourism Resilience Summit taking place in Sendai, Japan. This summit, co-hosted by the Government of Japan and the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), gathers tourism leaders from the Asia-Pacific region to discuss strategies for post-pandemic recovery, sustainability, and resilience regarding global disruptions.
During his speech at the Summit, Hon. Gavoka emphasized Fiji’s dedication to developing a robust tourism sector, especially considering its susceptibility to natural disasters. He remarked, “We have used these crises as an opportunity to rebuild stronger,” pointing to the tourism industry’s capacity to recover from past challenges such as SARS, the Global Financial Crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gavoka’s address highlighted a vision of revitalizing Fiji’s tourism with a focus on sustainability, inclusivity, and resilience. He detailed initiatives aimed at diversifying tourism options and bolstering disaster resilience, underscoring tourism’s pivotal importance to Fiji’s economy. He described the nation’s strategy as a collective effort to establish a “stronger and diverse economic base” through sustainable public-private collaborations and innovative policies.
The Summit featured a Ministerial Meeting inaugurated by Japan’s Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism, Saito Tetsuo. Contributions were made by representatives from the Japan Tourism Agency, UNWTO, and Sendai’s Mayor. Discussions centered on proactive disaster preparedness, building resilience, and adaptive recovery strategies to effectively handle future challenges. The leaders recognized the significance of collaborative efforts to mitigate the impacts of natural disasters while nurturing innovative transformations within the tourism sector.
As Gavoka reiterated, “We’re using this recovery to build resilience. This also means creating policies and programs that not only guide us today but will serve us in the years to come.” With tourism being a cornerstone of Fiji’s economy, the future of the sector hinges on adaptive strategies aimed at fostering both growth and sustainability.
In summary, this summit marks a critical step in Fiji’s commitment to advancing a resilient tourism future, reflecting an optimistic approach that holds potential for innovation and sustainability in the face of global adversities.
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