A new multi-million-dollar integrated tourism development project is set to commence on Nasaulevu Island. This development was confirmed following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the island’s owners, the Nakovacake Development Trust (NDT), the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), focusing on a master plan for the island.
Nasaulevu Island spans 747 acres, located across from Denarau Port Marina and in proximity to Fantasy Island. NDT chairman and Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) Joint Task Force, Brigadier-General Manoa Gadai, emphasized that the MOU signing signifies the start of an initiative aimed at alleviating poverty and empowering the current and future generations of island residents. He described this MOU as a pivotal moment for the significant tourist development planned for Nasaulevu.
The project is scheduled to begin next May. Brigadier-General Gadai noted that the revised master plan for the Nasaulevu Integrated Tourism Development Project will take between six to nine months to complete, including a feasibility study. During this master planning phase, negotiations will commence regarding a proposed joint venture with FNPF and ADB. Upon finalizing the joint venture options, another MOU will be signed to initiate the project.
ADB director general Cathy Marsh mentioned that the initial budget for the master plan is set at $300,000, with plans to deploy specialists to commence development work before the year’s end. Ro Filipe Tuisawau, the Minister for Public Works, Meteorology and Transport, expressed the government’s readiness to support landowners in advancing their economic participation.
NDT secretary Anare Naivutevute indicated that the master plan would be distinctive, branding the project as the hub for the South Pacific. He noted that ADB is interested in funding the construction of various facilities, including resorts, commercial lots, residential lots, and a cultural center. The cultural center is designed to draw tourists who seek to engage with the rich culture of Fiji, enhancing their experience beyond what they have in their own countries.