Tourism Events
The Fijian Government’s investment in Sports Tourism, through the support of international sporting events, such as Fiji International, Super Rugby and Interhash, has laid the foundation to grow this high niche market and to further develop the nation’s ability to host such high-calibre events. Fiji has, over the years, secured rights to host events such as the PGA Fiji International Euro Tour, Standup Paddle Board, Asia Pacific Special Olympic Games, World Rugby Pacific Challenge, Oceania championships and a series of test matches among others.
1. Fiji International Golf Tournament
The year 2018 marked the fifth year Fiji hosted the Fiji International tournament played at Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course.
Enticed by the tropical destination, the Fiji International has attracted some of the world’s best golfers since its inaugural staging in 2014, including Fijian hero and three-time Major Champion Vijay Singh, 2016 champion Brandt Snedeker, 2015 champion Matt Kuchar, Steven Bowditch, Boo Weekley, Nick Price, Robert Allenby, Heath Slocum, Liang Wenchong, and Anirban Lahiri.
The Fiji International continues to have a global presence confirming its position as an integral tournament in the South Pacific region, with the tournament being tri-sanctioned by the European Tour, ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia and Asian Tour.
2. Investec Fiji Super Rugby Match
Following its inauguration in 2016, the Investec Super Rugby match has become an annual feature in Fiji’s sporting calendar.
In 2018, Fiji hosted the Pulse Energy Highlanders against the Gallagher Chiefs on 30 June. Being the third Super Rugby game held in Fiji, the event provided an opportunity to showcase Fiji’s capabilities in hosting such a big event. Aside from the other 55 million viewers from 150 countries around the globe, benefits spread across various sectors directly and indirectly to those who provide support services as well as Increased the global branding presence of the “Fijian Made-Buy Fijian” and the “Fiji – Where Happiness Finds You” brands.
3. 2018 Fiji Interhash
Interhash is a biennial, non-competitive event, the largest of periodic international Hash House Harriers events, where hashers world-wide get together to run and socialise.
In 2016, Fiji won the bid to host the event from 24 to 27 May 2018. For the first time in almost ten years, the event has moved out of Asia.
Through the Interhash, Fiji welcomed for the first time more than 1,700 international visitors in a single event from almost 60 different countries such as, Zimbabwe, Qatar, Portugal, Sweden and Barbados, to name a few.
The event attracted approximately 2,000 Hashers from over 60 countries around the globe, participating over a period of 4-6 days. The event was headquartered in Nadi over 4-6 days at run sights including a number of locations such as the Sabeto Mountains, Nausori highlands in Ba, Abaca, Natadola and the Coral Coast.
4. Fijian Tourism Talanoa
The Fijian Tourism Talanoa (FTT) was convened in November 2017, with the theme of “Progressive Tourism through Sustainable Partnerships” and attended by 115 tourism stakeholders. It was organised by the Ministry in collaboration with other Government agencies and key industry stakeholders.
The FTT encouraged constructive dialogue on pertinent issues relating to the industry and strengthened partnership amongst stakeholders for the further development of Fiji’s tourism industry. The FTT also provided an opportunity to update the industry on the various initiatives, policies and programmes in relation to the tourism industry and together identified common ground to resolve key issues affecting stakeholders.
5. International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development
In line with the 2017 International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development (IYSTD), which was declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015, the Ministry continued work on the National Action Plan.
The IYSTD National Programme included initiatives such as coral planting at the Outrigger Resort Fiji, dry forest rehabilitation at the Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park, tree planting and beautification of Thurston Garden. These initiatives were carried out in partnership with industry partners such as the National Trust of Fiji, Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association and Fiji Museum.
The Ministry in its efforts to create awareness on Tourism development participates in the following annual events:
6. Fijian Tourism Expo
The Fijian Tourism Expo (FTE) is Fiji’s premier international tourism industry event, hosted by Tourism Fiji.
The annual FTE is a uniquely designed Fijian tourism experience for international buyers and travel trade media, showcasing the essence of Fiji as a top tourist destination in the global market. The event provides a cross-sectoral platform for partners in the tourism industry to engage directly with international buyers and travel trade media.
In 2022, Fiji held its eighth Fijian Tourism Expo from 11 – 13 May, the first face-to-face tourism event being hosted in Fiji since 2019, and the largest event since 2020 involving international guests.
7. HOTEC
Hosted by the Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association, the HOTEC Tradeshow is held annually for industry members, offering a variety of opportunities for people to watch and learn through workshops, which included coffee, chocolate making demonstrations, cocktail demonstrations, human resource advice and technology seminars, to name a few.
In 2017, the Ministry, through its participation, was able to foster awareness on key Ministry programmes and initiatives, especially those connecting grassroot programmes, such as the Integrated Human Resource Development Programme (IHRDP) and Co-operatives, to the tourism industry. In 2018, the Ministry partnered with the FHTA, Ministry of Agriculture and the Pacific Island Consultants to establish a Farmer’s Market with the aim of creating market access for Fijian farmers into the tourism industry.
8. World Tourism Day
➔ 2016 “Tourism for All – promoting universal accessibility”
The 2016 World Tourism Day Nationwide Photography Contest was launched on Thursday evening at the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa.
This year’s theme is “Tourism for All – promoting universal accessibility”. Accessible tourism is an on-going effort in ensuring tourist destinations, products and services are accessible to all people regardless of physical limitations, disabilities and age.
The Ministry hosted a number events to commemorate this special day – including a Photo Contest. We also hosted a Fiji World Tourism Day Fair at Suva’s Ratu Sukuna Park on 27 September 2016 to showcase and generate awareness on Fiji’s tourism offerings.
➔ 2017 “Sustainable Tourism a Tool for Development”
The Ministry hosted a Tourism Fair on 30 September 2017, at Ratu Sukuna Park in Suva. The 2017 theme “Sustainable Tourism a Tool for Development”, gave an opportunity to raise awareness on the contribution of sustainable tourism development, whilst mobilising stakeholders in making the sector a catalyst for positive change.
Close to 40 Government, industry, academic institutions, statutory bodies and private sector representatives were
present at the WTD Tourism Fair. There were 35 exhibitors, featuring direct and supportive services to the tourism industry coupled with cultural entertainment showcasing Fiji’s unique product offerings.
➔ 2018 “Tourism and Digital Transformation”
In line with the 2018 WTD theme, the Ministry hosted an awareness seminar in Rakiraki, targeting tourism MSMEs in the Nadi to Tailevu corridor.
The event was used as a tool to empower tourism MSMEs to harness technology and contribute sustainably to the Fijian tourism industry. More specifically, it aimed to create awareness and provide pertinent information on digital platforms that could assist in their business processes and marketing efforts.
The seminar was officially opened by the Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism, Hon. Faiyaz Siddiq Koya, followed by presentations from 9 speakers, including Government, industry, statutory bodies and development partners who shared insights on the theme.
Along the margins, we also organised a special visit to the Samabula Senior Citizens Home as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility activity. This exercise, whilst promoting social inclusivity, allowed the officials to provide some essential items to the Home whilst sharing the joy of WTD.
➔ 2019 “Tourism and Jobs: a better future for all’
In 2019, in line with UNWTO’s overarching focus on skills, education and jobs throughout the year, WTD will be a celebration on the topic ‘Tourism and Jobs: a better future for all’. The theme has affinity with Fiji’s commitment to the sustainable development of the Fijian tourism industry, as well as the Fijian economy at large.
In the spirit of WTD 2019,we participated at the University of the South Pacific’s School of Tourism and Hospitality Management (STHM), annual Careers Fair which was held at the Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort & Spa.
The event which saw a total of 99 students (62 graduating and 37 interns) and 42 industry representatives, Permanent Secretary for Industry, Trade and Tourism, Shaheen Ali, highlighted the relevance of this year’s theme to the Fijian tourism industry.
We also partnered with the STHM on a fish house building and coral planting engagement at the Outrigger Fiji Resort & Spa in honour of Fiji’s commitment in the global arena. In attendance were TS208 Operational Issues for Hospitality students and Senior Lectures and staff of the Outrigger.