Private sector investment is key to unlocking the full tourism potential of Vanua Levu.

Business leaders, entrepreneurs, and local officials met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Hon. Viliame Gavoka, together with Carlos Felipe Jaramillo, World Bank Vice President for the East Asia and Pacific Region, Gallina A. Vincelette, World Bank Vice President for Operations Policy and Country Services, and Sarvesh Suri, IFC Regional Vice President for Asia and the Pacific over a Business Leaders lunch at Nawi Island to discuss how sustainable tourism can drive jobs, investment, and long-term growth in the Northern Division.

Through our 10-year, US$200M Fiji Tourism Development Program in Vanua Levu #NaVualikuProject will strengthen infrastructure and create an enabling environment that helps crowd in private investment, grow businesses, and expand economic opportunities across Vanua Levu.

NaVualiku #VanuaLevu #PrivateSector #TourismDevelopment

Limited air connectivity has long constrained tourism growth and economic opportunities across Fiji’s Northern Division.

The #NaVualikuProject is helping address this challenge through coordinated investments to strengthen aviation infrastructure and improve access to the North.

At Labasa Airport, critical runway strengthening works are underway from 16 February to 27 March 2026. The upgrade will improve safety and increase the runway’s load-bearing capacity, allowing it to accommodate ATR 72 aircraft once completed. Fiji Airports is working closely with airline partners and transport providers to ensure alternative travel options remain available during the temporary closure.

Further improvements are also being designed for Labasa and Savusavu airports, including a new terminal building for Savusavu Airport. In parallel, installation of a Remote Tower Aerodrome Flight Information System (AFIS) at Labasa Airport will begin early this year, enabling modern remote monitoring and management of air traffic to enhance aviation safety.

Assessments for a potential new domestic airport for Vanua Levu are also expected to begin soon.

Together, these investments are strengthening safety, expanding connectivity, and supporting the long-term growth of tourism and local economic opportunities in the Northern Division.

During their visit to Vanua Levu, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Hon. Viliame Gavoka, together with Carlos Felipe Jaramillo, World Bank Vice President for the East Asia and Pacific Region, Gallina A. Vincelette, World Bank Vice President for Operations Policy and Country Services, and Sarvesh Suri, IFC Regional Vice President for Asia and the Pacific, were updated by our implementing partner, Fiji Airports on progress toward these critical aviation investments.

NaVualiku #VanuaLevu #Aviation #TourismDevelopment

Across Vanua Levu, many women entrepreneurs and Community-Based Tourism (CBT) enterprises have the ideas and cultural assets to participate in tourism but often face limited access to skills, networks, and investment.

The #NaVualikuProject is helping close this gap by strengthening MSMEs, CBTs and supporting women-led enterprises so tourism growth translates into real opportunities for local communities.

During their visit to Fiji, Carlos Felipe Jaramillo, World Bank Vice President for the East Asia and Pacific Region, Gallina A. Vincelette, World Bank Vice President for Operations Policy and Country Services, and Sarvesh Suri, IFC Regional Vice President for Asia and the Pacific, accompanied by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Hon. Viliame Gavoka met with the women of Na I Soqosoqo Vakamarama I Taukei ni Cakaudrove – The Society for Indigenous Women of the Cakaudrove Province to hear directly from those helping shape resilient communities and local enterprise across the province. Representing indigenous women across all districts of Cakaudrove Province, the Soqosoqo Vakamarama Cakaudrove mobilises grassroots leadership and supports women-led initiatives that strengthen communities, culture, and local enterprise.

Supporting MSMEs, community-based tourism enterprises, and women entrepreneurs is a key pillar of the Project’s work to ensure tourism development in Vanua Levu and Taveuni is inclusive, locally driven, and economically empowering for all Fijians.

NaVualiku #VanuaLevu #WomenInTourism #CommunityTourism #TourismThatLiftsEveryoneBenefitsAll

• The Project Accountant, based in Suva, Fiji, shall be responsible for all financial management aspects of the Project.
• The role requires independent professional judgement and the ability to deliver fiduciary outputs.
• Read the Terms of Reference (TOR): http://bit.ly/4cQmi3i
  Scan the QR code or email [email protected] to request further information.

Read our January/February newsletter, IMPACT, which highlights recent milestones, community stories, and program updates from the Fiji Tourism Development Program in Vanua Levu (Na Vualiku Project).

🔗 Read IMPACT Newsletter Here or Download Here

Works have commenced on runway pavement strengthening at Labasa Airport, with a temporary closure in effect from today until 27 March 2026. 🚧✈️

✅ Why this matters:
These works are essential safety upgrades designed to strengthen the runway structure, support long-term operational performance, and ensure continued compliance with international aviation safety standards. This investment helps protect reliable air connectivity for the Northern Division well into the future.

🌴 Keeping Vanua Levu connected:
To minimise disruption during the closure period, more than 40 additional flights to and from Savusavu Airport have been arranged in close collaboration with airline partners and key stakeholders.

🗣️ Have feedback or concerns?
We are committed to transparency and accountability. Any grievances, questions, or feedback related to the works can be formally submitted through the official Grievance Redress and Feedback Portal:
🔗 https://navualiku.com/grievance-redress-feedback-portal/

Thank you for your patience as these important works are delivered to improve safety, reliability, and resilience for our communities.

Nasau Village Mataqali Verevere | Nabouwalu Village |Dalomo Village | Votua Villag

#Bua showed up. Our team delivered an awareness session and provided hands-on application support for the Na Vualiku MSME & CBT Capacity Building and Grant Program.

We supported participants to:

Confirm eligibility

Work through each section of the application form

Get practical, one-on-one guidance to submit correctly

Final call: don’t miss the window.

If you are still thinking about it, make TODAY your submission day.

Apply online or download forms (English, Hindi, iTaukei):

navualiku.com/msme-cbt-program

Need help fast? Call 9928657 or 9986503

Closes 13 February 2026

Bring your documents, bring your questions, and let’s get your application across the line.

Our team was on the ground in Savusavu delivering an awareness session and providing hands-on application assistance for the Na Vualiku MSME & Community-Based Tourism (CBT) Capacity Building and Grant Program.

We met with local MSMEs and CBT operators to:

Explain program eligibility and requirements

Walk through the application process step by step

Answer questions and help applicants complete and submit their forms correctly

These sessions are about making sure businesses and community operators are informed, feel supported and confident to apply.

The application window is still open.

Apply online or download forms (English, Hindi, iTaukei):

navualiku.com/msme-cbt-program

Closes 13 February 2026 | For help or questions, call us on 9928657 or 9986503

Tomorrow, we will be in Bua (Provincial Office/DO Office).

Labasa

At the PA Macuata Office, our Na Vualiku team held an awareness session and provided application support for the MSME & Community-Based Tourism (CBT) Capacity Building and Grant Program. It was a great turnout, with strong participation from local MSMEs and CBT operators.

We worked alongside participants to:

Clarify eligibility and the key documents needed

Walk through each section of the application form

Provide practical, one-on-one guidance to help applicants prepare and submit correctly

Applications are still open.

Apply online or download forms (English, Hindi, iTaukei):

navualiku.com/msme-cbt-program

For help or questions, call us on 9928657 or 9986503

Closes 13 February 2026

Last week, our Na Vualiku team completed outreach support visits in Taveuni, from Lavena Village to Navakawau Village, creating awareness on the Na Vualiku Project and helping MSMEs and CBT operators with the MSME & CBT Capacity Building and Grant Program applications.

Our team met with MSMEs and Community-Based Tourism (CBT) operators to explain eligibility, required documents, and how to complete the application correctly, and we supported applicants to move their submissions forward with confidence, collecting filled applications on the road aswell.

You can still apply online or download forms (English, Hindi, iTaukei):

navualiku.com/msme-cbt-program/

Closes 13 February 2026

This week we will be in Savusavu, Bua, and Labasa. Please keep watching our Facebook page for updates.

#NaVualiku#Taveuni#MSME#CBT