Engaging Community Leadership in Tourism Planning

📍Tikina Nasavusavu Council

Strengthening partnerships with community leadership is essential to ensuring tourism development reflects local priorities.

The Na Vualiku Project Local Project Coordinator, Mr. Sara Bulutani, recently engaged with members of the Tikina Nasavusavu Council to discuss key initiatives under the Fiji Tourism Development Program in Vanua Levu and to hear directly from community leaders on priorities shaping the future of tourism in the Northern Division.

The program, designed to strengthen tourism micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and community-based tourism operators across Vanua Levu and Taveuni, will help with improving business skills, strengthening services, and helping local operators better connect to the tourism market. This in turn will support local enterprise development, create more jobs, and encourage greater participation of communities in the tourism economy.

Several communities had submitted applications and welcomed the opportunity to receive an update on the program and what to expect next.

The engagement also opened discussion on waste management solutions, an important part of ensuring tourism growth is managed sustainably. Council members were invited to help identify suitable land that could be assessed as part of upcoming waste management feasibility studies, helping ensure solutions are practical, community-supported, and aligned with local priorities.

These engagements are essential to ensuring that tourism planning and investments under the Na Vualiku Project are grounded in community voices and local leadership.

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