Today more than ever, travel and tourism appreciation is at an all time high and the Fijian tourism industry (which accounts for nearly 40% of Fiji’s national GDP) has several reasons to excite travelers, not only to return to its shores, but to bring travelers back in the knowledge that they will support a wave of inclusive growth tourism.
Whether it’s farm-to-table initiatives, solar-powered tourist attractions or supporting local businesses, Fiji is blessed with an abundance of lush landscapes and products including industry can profit naturally and sustainably.
We have put together some key examples of inclusive growth tourism in Fiji.
1. SIX SENSES
Opened only two years before the pandemic, the resort located on the island of Malolo has implemented many initiatives focused on well-being and community inclusion. Fiji’s only resort that is fully solar powered, rather than importing produce, has a farm-to-table concept, with an on-site organic farm, herb, vegetable and fruit garden and employs local fishermen to serve a ‘catch of the day’ on their restaurant’s main menu. The complex has its own reverse osmosis plant and water refinery allowing them to collect rainwater and produce high quality drinking water for its customers, served in glass bottles for eliminate the use of plastic. They also use their on-site brewer to make all of the tonics, bitters, and kombucha, ensuring that no synthetic varieties are served in the accommodation. Additionally, the beautiful resort town is home to 39 Fijian crested iguanas, expert knowledge shows that critically endangered species breed successfully in their protected habitat on the resort.
2. TOKORIKI ISLAND STATION
The luxury island resort, which just won the “Most Outstanding Luxury Hotel 2021 – Fiji” award, exclusively offers Nama Fiji in its boutique and spas, a range of luxury skin care products based on essential minerals and vitamins. Nama Fiji is made from caulerpa racemosa, a unique species of algae that grows wild in the blue waters of the lagoon of the idyllic Yasawa Islands. Not only does Tokoriki Island Resort encourage and support inclusive growth by exclusively storing the Fijian home range, Nama Fiji also strives to operate at a sustainable level. By growing and cultivating sea grapes growing on the shallow seabed, this in turn creates employment opportunities for the women of the Yasawa Islands.
3. SAFARIS ON THE SIGATIOKA RIVER
The Main Fiji River Safari is a must see for any international or local visitor who wants to get a taste of Fijian life by visiting some of the 15 villages that the safari company works with. By booking with Sigatoka River Safari, travelers can rest assured that they have made a positive and inclusive impact on individuals and families in the local villages they visit. A portion of the ticket price goes directly to local villages to help them with various developments, including water, electrification, telecommunications, installation of concrete trails, education and health initiatives.
4. ECOTRAX FIDJI
Mandy and Howie De Vries moved to Fiji in 2017 to set up EcoTrax, tandem rail-mounted bikes called velocipeds, which allow visitors to tour the interior of Fiji along the previously used sugarcane railways. . The hot tourist attraction has a zero carbon footprint, ensuring the bikes are 100% solar powered, reducing their footprint and creating small businesses in the villages along its route. Not only that, but when the tour reaches its destination on a pristine white sand beach a picnic awaits them, this picnic is made with fresh produce harvested from local village farms along the way.
5. WESTIN DENARAU ISLAND
The only farm on Denarau Island is located in the heart of the Westin Resort. The four-hectare organic farm offers fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs for consumption by all guests and creates agricultural career opportunities for locals. Guests are encouraged to get involved in several hands-on activities to learn more about organic farming and its benefits on local consumption, carbon footprint, and the economy.
6. SANCTUARY OF GAIATREE
The beautiful island destination of Taveuni is home to one of the most unspoiled island settlements in the world, the Gaiatree Sanctuary. The organic spice plantation offers guests a unique experience by offering tours of the superfood farms. The sanctuary, which is home to a significant number of trees, plants and herbs of different varieties, is located on a pristine island surrounded by free-range chickens, waterfalls and several beehives. Their ‘Spice of Life’ tour gives guests a full farm experience, followed by a simply cooked farm-to-table lunch of superfoods, edible flowers, tropical fruits and spices, all of which have their own unique style. benefits you’ll learn all about. In addition, Gaiatree employs local Fijians and enables them to learn new ways of farming and cooking.
7. PRIVATE RESORT OF THE PRIVATE ISLAND OF KOKOMO
Kokomo is another Fijian resort that embraces the farm-to-table concept. The Yaukuve Levu Island-based resort features a 2.2 hectare organic herb, vegetable, sprout and flower farm. The hydroponic garden is large enough to produce fresh ingredients for customers all year round without the need for soil to grow the produce. Their vanilla plantation allows the production of vanilla pods all year round for pastry cooking in order to concoct sweet delicacies for its guests. Beyond the farm, the resort has 16 beehives that produce rich and delicious honey, 170 free-range chickens providing fresh eggs daily, all of which feature on the Island Resort’s fresh and tasty menus.