Launched last month by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism & Civil Aviation, Hon. Viliame Gavoka, the Na Vualiku MSME & Community-Based Tourism Capacity Building and Grant Funding Program is designed to strengthen tourism MSMEs, women’s cultural enterprises, and community-based tourism operators in Vanua Levu and Taveuni, with a focus on delivering tangible benefits to local communities.
The Program will provide targeted training and hands-on support in business compliance, financial literacy and record-keeping, marketing and digital promotion, product quality and tourism standards, and finance readiness.
Eligible, community-owned CBTs will also be supported through grant funding for small-scale tourism infrastructure and product improvements that enhance visitor experiences while meeting safety, quality, and environmental standards.
The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, through the Fiji Tourism Development Program in Vanua Levu (Na Vualiku Project), invites organisations with relevant experience and expertise to express their interest in serving as the Business Development Services (BDS) Provider for MSMEs, Women-Led Enterprises, and Community-Based Tourism (CBT) operators.
The World Bank-financed initiative supports enterprise development and capacity building to ensure tourism growth in Vanua Levu and Taveuni is sustainable, inclusive, and delivers tangible benefits to local communities.
Read our December newsletter, IMPACT, which highlights recent milestones, community stories, and program updates from the Fiji Tourism Development Program in Vanua Levu (Na Vualiku Project).
Opportunities are now open for Micro Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), Women’s Cultural Enterprises & Community-based Tourism (CBT) Operators in Vanua Levu and Taveuni to access targeted training to strengthen your tourism business and CBT funding.
Suva, 25 November 2025 – The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation supports Fiji Airports’ decision to undertake critical runway strengthening works at Labasa Airport from 16 February to 27 March 2026. This upgrade is a key safety initiative that will protect passengers and airline crew and ensure safe and reliable aircraft operations across the Northern Division.
Comprehensive technical assessments confirm that the current condition of the runway no longer meets safety operating standards for the ATR 72 aircraft. The works will address structural fatigue, prevent further deterioration, and ensure full compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) requirements. This will extend the runway’s lifespan and support reliable air services.
Funded through a World Bank loan under the Na Vualiku Project, this upgrade is part of broader efforts to improve transport access for Vanua Levu and strengthen long-term connectivity.
The Ministry acknowledges the temporary impacts on residents, businesses, medical travel, and the tourism sector. Consultations in Labasa and Savusavu have highlighted concerns about hotel occupancy and freight delays. Fiji Airports is working with authorities and relevant stakeholders on mitigation measures which will be shared accordingly.
The Ministry commends Fiji Airports for providing early notice and welcomes its commitment to a comprehensive public information campaign. These will include radio, print, social media, and regular updates on the Fiji Airports and Na Vualiku Project websites, helping travellers and businesses to plan ahead.
This upgrade represents a short-term disruption that will deliver long-term benefits for aviation safety, reliability, and economic resilience in Vanua Levu.
The Coalition Government remains committed to improving air connectivity, supporting the Northern economy, and enhancing the resilience of Fiji’s aviation infrastructure.
For further information, the public is encouraged to follow updates from Fiji Airports.
FBC News: Labasa Airport will be temporarily closed from February 16th to March 27th next year to allow critical runway pavement strengthening works to take place.
Fiji Airports says these works are essential to improving the safety, reliability, and long-term resilience of the airport.
It says funded by the World Bank under the Na Vualiku Project, this upgrade will strengthen key sections of the runway to improve its Pavement Classification Rating – a key measure of how much weight a runway can safely support.
Once completed, the upgraded runway will be able to safely accommodate ATR 72 aircraft operations, in line with an approved safety case!
Fiji Airports is also working closely with airline partners and transport stakeholders to finalise transport arrangements and ensure travel options for passengers are available during the temporary closure of Labasa Airport.
Fiji Village: Labasa Airport will be closed from 16 February to 27 March 2026 to allow critical runway pavement strengthening works.
Fiji Airports says the upgrade is essential for improving the airport’s safety, reliability, and long-term resilience.
They say it will enhance key sections of the runway to improve its Pavement Classification Rating, which is a measure of how much weight a runway can safely support.
They add that once completed, the upgraded runway will accommodate ATR 72 aircraft operations, in line with an approved safety case.
The works are funded by the World Bank under the Na Vualiku Project.
Fiji Airports is also working with airline partners and transport stakeholders to ensure travel options are available for passengers during the temporary closure.
Our team met with the management of Korovou Homestay in Naduri Village, Macuata.
Homestays like Korovou capture the true spirit of community tourism, welcoming guests, sharing local culture, and creating new income opportunities for families.
The Na Vualiku Project will soon launch a Pilot Program to support MSMEs, women-led enterprises, and community-based tourism organizations through training, grants, and stronger market connections.
We are excited to empower more communities like Naduri to build sustainable and inclusive tourism ventures. Stay tuned for details.
Tourism in Fiji is more than travel, it is a vital part of our economy and a powerful driver of community development.
🌴 Fiji is among the world’s top 20 most tourism-dependent countries. 📊 Tourism contributes nearly 40% of GDP, directly and indirectly. 👩🏽🍳 It supports one in three jobs across the country.
In Vanua Levu, tourism is one of the few sectors offering formal jobs and business opportunities, particularly for women and rural communities. This makes it a key pathway for inclusive and sustainable growth.
💡 A 2023 World Bank study found that even a 1% increase in tourism GDP is linked to a 0.68% reduction in poverty.
This is why the Na Vualiku Project is investing in better infrastructure, community tourism, and environmental protection ~ to help unlock tourism’s full potential for the people of Vanua Levu and Taveuni.
In Nakawaga Village, visitors arriving on cruise ships often make their way to the local waterfall, a stunning natural attraction with tremendous potential. 🌊✨
We visited the community, as part of the Na Vualiku Project’s design, data gathering, and awareness-raising activities to understand how communities can strengthen tourism opportunities and benefit from sustainable local enterprise.
Tourism currently provides occasional income, but with the right support, communities like Nakawaga could develop stronger visitor experiences, improve facilities, and build enterprises that share benefits more widely.
The Na Vualiku Project will soon launch a Pilot Program for MSMEs, women-led enterprises, and community-based tourism organizations. The program is designed to unlock this potential by supporting community businesses, strengthening skills, and linking villages to wider tourism markets.
A beautiful waterfall is only the beginning. The real story is about communities turning opportunity into lasting prosperity.
Submission deadline: 20 January 2026
