Venue: Tavarua Island Resort ,Tavarua Island
The Managing Director;
Distinguished guests;
Ladies and gentlemen;
Bula vinaka and a good afternoon to you all,
I am indeed honored to be here today to warmly welcome all surfers who have travelled from across the globe to participate in the 5th leg of a 10 leg World Surfing League (WSL) Championship – the Fiji Pro 2017. Bula and welcome to our home.
We are proud to host such a prestigious event, adding to our growing portfolio of international sporting events and athletes that have graced our beautiful shores. Therefore, I would like to thank the World Surf League in continuing to include Fiji as part of the tour.
Furthermore, the event has greatly contributed to the recognition of our surfing breaks off Tavarua Island as a world renowned surfing spot – the undisputed and immaculate home for the World Surfing Championship.
Ladies and Gentlemen
I would like to express my gratitude on behalf of the Fijian Government, to each and every one of you, present here this afternoon for your commitment towards growing our tourism industry.
I am happy to say that the Fijian Government is supportive of this event as it will diversify the image of Fiji being more than a destination for just holidaymakers and honeymooners, but also a destination for professional sporting events and adventure seekers. And in order to achieve our goal of attracting more visitors to our shores, we need to continue expanding the range of activities and specialized packages we offer.
Whether it’s diving, golfing, yachting, surfing, fishing, trekking or whitewater rafting, just to name a few – diversity and quality are keys to success. The more activities and excursions we can provide, the closer we will get to reach our goal of making tourism a $2.2 billion industry and the more Fiji will benefit as a whole.
Ladies and Gentleman,
I have stated this in the past and will continue to reiterate the importance of the Tourism Industry to the Fijian economy. The Fijian Government has set high goals for the tourism industry as we expand our marketing presence not just in our traditional markets, but emerging markets as well.
However, reaching this goal will require dedication in providing the best facilities and ensuring that our markets know about Fiji as a unique destination with diverse offerings. The World Surfing League Tour – Fiji Pro, the PGA Australasia and the recent Super Rugby events have been identified as perfect opportunities for promoting the “Fijian” brand. Through these events, the world realizes what Fiji has to offer to the sport niche market and at the same time, our potential to be a perfect sports destination.
I have been informed that in 2016, over 30 million people worldwide followed the WSL Championship online, on live streaming and through TV broadcasts and I am confident that this year, the media reach will increase significantly especially with the FINAL of the Fiji Women’s Pro now taking place tomorrow.
Ladies and Gentlemen
While the surfing industry being a multi-billion dollar global industry is a rapidly expanding segment of the wider sports niche market, Fiji provides participants to the Fiji Pro an opportunity to not only participate in the competition but also bring their family and friends with them to have a break. Over the next 13 days, you will have the opportunity to experience Fiji’s world-class facilities, our beautiful natural surroundings, our diverse culture and food, and our friendly and hospitable people, which make Fiji a unique place – a place “where happiness finds you”.
I have been informed that there are 36 male and 18 female surfers from Australia, Brazil, France, Hawaii, Ireland, New Zealand, Spain, USA and Fiji. At this juncture, I would like to welcome the teams from Italy and South Africa who are also participating in this year’s event. Bula and welcome to Fiji, we are grateful for your presence here today.
Ladies and Gentlemen
Surfing is now on the Olympic program for Tokyo in 2020 and the WSL has been working closely with the International Surfing Association (ISA) to ensure that the best surfers in the world have a chance to compete in Japan. The ISA World Surfing Games which was completed on May 28th in Biarritz, France was the first time that the WSL had released its surfers to compete in an ISA World Championships and I understand that two Frenchmen – Jeremy Flores & Joan Duru, and Brazilian Ian Gouveia competed there last week and have flown to Fiji to be here for the Fiji Pro.
Congratulations to Joan who came very close at second place in the Biarritz final. Our Fijian wildcard – Tevita Gukilau was also picked for the Fiji team to France but chose to stay back and prepare for the Fiji Pro instead. I am happy he was concerned about the sufferings of being jet lagged, as this would greatly affect his performance in beating Jeremy, Joan and Ian on home ground.
I personally haven’t actually tried my hand at this sport, but I do look forward to the day when I’ll ride one of those big waves.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Before I conclude, I would like to acknowledge the great effort that the Management of Tavarua Resort has put into hosting this event. I understand it was not easy, as it was time consuming and demanding at most times. So thank you and vinaka vakalevu for a job well done.
Last but not least, to all surfers who will be competing in the next 13 days, I wish you all the very best. I look forward to the opportunities this event will bring to Fiji and I am certain, that this year’s Championship will be a success for everyone involved. And in the words of Philip Edwards and I quote, “the best surfer out there, is the one having the most fun”, unquote.
To the ‘vanua’ of Tavarua and Namotu, you are a shining example of how Government and resource owners should be working together in hosting world renowned events.
I would also like to acknowledge and convey a special ‘vinaka vakalevu’ to Mr. Kelly Slater and his company “Outerknown”, for the commitment to sponsor the Fiji Pro event for the next three years. Kelly has surfed the waves of Tavarua and has won Fiji Pro competition four times. I’m told that he has fallen in love with the island of Tavarua and I am sure this special relationship he has with Fiji will continue to deepen.
Ladies and Gentlemen
With those few words, it gives me great pleasure to now declare the World Surfing League – 2017 Fiji Pro, Men’s competition open.
Thank you and vinaka vakalevu.