Secretary-General for the UNWTO, H.E. Zurab Pololikashvili,
Chair of the Joint Commission, H.E. Ali Waheed,
Co-Chair, H.E. Dr. Noor Zari Bin Hamat,
Host of the 32nd Joint Commission Meeting, Government of Sri Lanka and H.E. Prasanna Ranatunga,
Representatives of the CAP and CSA Member States,
Bula vinaka from Fiji.
I thank the Secretary-General and respective Chairs for allowing Fiji the opportunity to speak. I’ll admit, we were looking forward to visiting Sri Lanka.
These are indeed extraordinary circumstances and if it’s one thing we can agree on, it’s that the crisis we face today extends beyond just our own borders. The face of tourism has changed. And how we respond collectively today, will shape not just the tourism industry, but the global economy for the years to come.
Ladies and Gentlemen
The global outbreak without a doubt has had, and continues to have, profound rippling effects on the travel and tourism industry. As one of the most labour-intensive sectors, millions of jobs have been put at risk, with the repercussions being felt in all sectors of the economy. Fiji, and the Asia-Pacific region, has not been spared. In fact, we’ve felt the impact most.
As rightfully stated by H.E. Dr. Noor Hamat, not all is lost. Along with the rest of the world, we now pivot to focus on preparedness, innovation, and opportunities for economic stability.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It’s now over 70 days since our last case. With no active cases – we now chart our way to the ‘new normal’.
The Fijian Government has implemented a number of strategies to restabilise the Fijian economy and get the Tourism industry back on its feet. We are re-positioning and re-prioritising ourselves to support business continuity, as part of our economic recovery.
Our work plan has a new direction with four stages of Market Re-entry. Each stage works progressively towards rebuilding markets and calls for a different consumer message and approach.
A key part was the launch of “Love our Locals” – a domestic tourism campaign to ease the impact on our tourism industry. This Campaign is our starting point and is an opportune time to ensure we are COVID Safe for when we welcome international visitors back to our shores.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Fijian Prime Minister announced the Fijian COVID Safe Economic Recovery Framework, laying out a three-phased approach to recovery. The Framework is based on the core principles of stopping importation of the virus, ensuring health system readiness, and COVID-proofing Fijian businesses and society at-large.
Together with the Framework, we’ve developed COVID Safe Guidelines for a number of industries, including, for the Fijian Tourism Industry to guide tourism businesses into the new reality and to re-instil trust in the Fijian brand.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In considering the significant economic downturn and the unprecedented levels of job losses in Fijian history, there is a dire economic imperative to restart travel and tourism. Fiji’s economic recovery is contingent on the resumption of travel and tourism.
- We’re working on our own bubble –– a “Bula Bubble”, between Fiji, New Zealand and Australia. This will allow Aussies and Kiwis, who make up close to 70 per cent of our visitor market to holiday in a special “Vacation in Paradise” (VIP) Lane.
- Fiji will be establishing “Pacific Pathways”, initially with Tuvalu, Kiribati and Tonga, who rely on Fiji’s national carrier for connectivity. Based on pilot arrangement, other PICs will be considered.
- Safe “Blue Lanes” have also been initiated for yachts and pleasure crafts sailing to Fiji.
These measures are of course subject to stringent protocols, based on best global practices and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis to ensure health and safety of Fijians and visitors alike is in now way compromised.
With a number of national restrictions progressively lifted, Fiji launched the careFIJI App – a contact tracing app that uses Bluetooth signal to track encounters by proximity and duration. This is integral, particularly as international travel recommences.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I’d like to conclude by thanking the Secretary-General, the UNWTO team and Joint Commission Member States.
I hope we, as a region, can leverage our people-to-people ties and learn from each other experiences to come out of this stronger. I also call upon the UNWTO to continue advocating for global tourism. Any degree of normalcy now depends how best we innovate and collaborate.
Thank you.