Location: SHANGRI-LA’S Resort, Suva
Professor Pal Ahluwalia, Vice Chancellor and President of the University of the South Pacific;
Professor Stephen Pratt, Head of School of Tourism and Hospitality Management (STHM);
Senior Lecturers;
Graduates and Interns;
Tourism Industry Stakeholders;
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Bula vinaka and a very good morning to you all.
I wish to firstly convey the apologies of the Hon. Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism, who wanted to be here today, but unfortunately couldn’t due to other commitments.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
On behalf of the Fijian Government I want to thank everyone here, especially the Tourism and Hospitality Students’ Association, for this great initiative. All of you here look very sharp and ready for business today.
I’m aware this Careers Fair has been successfully organised over the past 13 years. And this has been largely due to the commitment and efforts of the students who raise funds through raffles and prizes, supported by the local tourism industry.
So congratulations to you all for this remarkable feat, which has and will continue to contribute greatly to the Fijian tourism workforce.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In this highly competitive global job market, opportunities like these are valuable. It provides the much-needed opportunity a young aspiring individual need to kick start their career, in one of the most dynamic sectors of the economy.
The Fijian Government has laid the foundation for its youth, with policies and initiatives, such as free education, bus fare, scholarships and funding programmes, geared towards enabling talented young Fijians reach their potential.
According to the National Census, half of Fijian population is below the age of 27. As a young nation, we continue to make headway with the advancement of youth by providing the necessary resources and support to grow into productive, educated and ambitious Fijians.
But the onus is upon you as students, to take advantage of such platforms as well. I want to stress the added advantage you, as Tourism and Hospitality students have given the multidisciplinary nature of the industry, one that is ever growing. This means the opportunities for you are relatively large.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today’s Fair coincides with an important day in the international tourism calendar – World Tourism Day. This year’s theme is “Tourism and Jobs: a better future for all”, which is fitting for today’s event. It is also a reminder of the important role tourism plays in providing jobs for Fijians.
This aligns closely with United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 8 – Quality Education/Decent Work and Economic Growth.
Tourist arrivals internationally have increased 56 times in 50 years. In 2018, international tourist arrivals grew 6% compared to the previous year to reach 1.4 billion, two years ahead of UNWTO’s forecast.1 This means more jobs created. Travel and tourism globally account for 1 in every 10 jobs.
As the fastest growing sector in the country and in the world, Tourism is also the largest employer in Fiji creating 1 in 3 jobs directly or indirectly. Largely attributed to the strong linkages it has with other sectors, such as construction, transport, agriculture, entertainment and manufacturing.
In the last 5 years, tourism earnings grew at a higher rate, an average 8.9%, in comparison to arrivals, which increased by 5.8%. This is an indication that we are earning more from the visitors we are getting.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The Fijian Government’s approach to tourism is sustainable partnership, where each stakeholder in the industry takes a shared responsibility towards achieving the national vision for the tourism sector. That includes all of you here.
This vision, as stated in the Fijian Tourism 2021, is making tourism a $2.2 billion industry by 2021. Our focus is on providing quality service and attracting higher yielding visitors. And it is through the quality of people who work in this industry, that this vision will without doubt be achieved.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Whilst it is a fact that an organisation would not be successful without a visionary leader. The truth is, at the heart of every company is its people/employees. This is a fact even more so for the tourism industry. People working behind the scenes or in the front-line can either make or break the business or the sector.
Our marketing brand, “Fiji – where happiness finds you”, is built on 3-pillars – the people, the place and the experience. Whilst we can find similar places or quality experiences in other destinations around the world, the warm and welcoming hospitality that is uniquely Fijian can never be found elsewhere. And that makes us Fijians stand out.
Ladies and gentlemen,
This is why, the Fijian Government has invested so much in our people, in particular, our youth. The Fijian Government is committed to ensuring that you have every opportunity to succeed and contribute to a brighter future for the nation.
Once such investment is the Young Entrepreneurship Scheme or YES as you may know it. Not to take anything away from the employment opportunities every company in this room, including my own Ministry, is ready to offer, the YES initiative is focused on encouraging young (and upcoming) graduates, like yourselves, become job creators in the future.
YES is to inspire the entrepreneur in you to develop something innovative and impactful. In order for the industry to grow and remain competitive, we need more local businesses to enter the market – what we are looking for – is a unique business idea that can provide a unique experience or value for our visitors. The team from the Ministry can share more information on the YES programme, if you are interested.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Coming back to today’s event, I’d like to encourage the 67 graduates and 37 interns here today, to do your best in your interviews. This process may seem a little daunting, the experience will build and develop your skills.
The Careers Fairs will equip you to be future employees. Starting as an intern is an excellent stepping stone to even bigger and better things in life.
A number of people in this room can testify to this. Some of our industry leaders went through the same process, and have greatly contributed to Fijian tourism industry today.
One such industry leader, whose story I hope will inspire you, is none other than Mr. Geoffrey Shaw.
Mr. Shaw’s career in the Fijian Tourism industry began in 1970 as a simple hotel management and catering consultant at the then, Reef Hotel in Korotogo. He worked his way up to become the Managing Director in 1979 and bought his own resorts – Castaway Island in 1999 and the Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort in 1998.
Mr. Shaw was actively involved in all aspects of his hotel, from management, marketing, and strategic decision making and had built up these properties with approximately 320 rooms and over 800 jobs, before selling these hotels in 2013.
Today, even after retirement, Mr. Shaw continues to actively contribute towards the tourism sector through a number of Boards and advisory positions including his recent appointment as Chairman to the Fiji Airports Ltd.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I’ve also been told that a few successful graduates and interns who were once students at this Careers Fair a few years back are now sitting on the other side of the table as interviewers.
My Ministry also boasts a number of graduates from the USP School of Tourism and Hospitality Management. These graduates are now in the public sector as Tourism Officers and Senior Tourism Officers, including Director Tourism – Ms. Nanise Masau who is here with us today. We also have a Graduate Trainee programme that employs trainees for a 6-month term. Most of the trainees in the Ministry have become full-time staff.
To the interviewers, please go easy on the students. To the Students, I wish you all well in your interviews – you are already on the right path – go into this with confidence – the sky’s your limit and you’ve got this!!!
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I know we are all eager to kick-start today’s programme so with those words, I officially open the 2019 Careers Fair and wish you all a happy 2019 World Tourism Day.
Vinaka vakalevu. Thank you.