Communities are clear: tourism must grow in a way that protects people, land, and livelihoods.
More than 120 stakeholders across Labasa, Bua, Savusavu, and Taveuni have validated key findings of the Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA), highlighting the need to actively manage environmental and social risks as tourism grows.
The SESA is informing tourism development to help protect communities, land, and livelihoods, while ensuring risks are identified early and addressed through planning.
Explore the latest updates from the Na Vualiku Project, highlighting progress in air connectivity, infrastructure, and community-focused tourism development across Vanua Levu & Taveuni.
The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation has welcomed the completion of the runway strengthening works at Labasa Airport, describing the development as an important step in the Government of Fiji’s continued efforts to improve air transport connectivity and support economic development in Vanua Levu.
The works, implemented by Fiji Airports, were undertaken with financing under the World Bank-financed Na Vualiku Project, for which the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation serves as the lead implementing agency through the Central Project Management Unit.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Honourable Viliame Gavoka, commended Fiji Airports for the successful and timely completion of the works.
“I commend Fiji Airports for ensuring the timely completion of the runway strengthening works at Labasa Airport. This is an important achievement that will contribute to safer, more reliable and more efficient air services for the people and businesses of the Northern Division,” said Honourable Gavoka.
He said the completion of the works also reflects the Government of Fiji’s broader commitment to the development of Vanua Levu and to strengthening the infrastructure needed to support connectivity, tourism, trade and essential services.
“The Government of Fiji remains firmly committed to improving connectivity to Vanua Levu as part of our wider efforts to promote balanced national development and unlock greater economic opportunity in the North. Investments of this nature are critical to supporting communities, facilitating movement, and creating the conditions for sustainable growth,” Honourable Gavoka said.
The Minister further noted that the runway improvement forms part of the wider Na Vualiku Project, through which the Government has worked with the World Bank to mobilise financing for strategic investments in infrastructure and services in Vanua Levu.
“The Na Vualiku Project reflects the Coalition Government’s commitment to securing and advancing major development financing for Vanua Levu. Through this programme, we are pursuing practical investments that can strengthen infrastructure, improve access, and support long term tourism and economic development. The completion of the Labasa runway strengthening works is a tangible example of that commitment being translated into results,” he said.
The Ministry also acknowledged the collaborative efforts of Fiji Airports, project partners, contractors, landowners and local stakeholders who contributed to the successful completion of the works.
As lead agency for the Na Vualiku Project, the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation will continue to work closely with Fiji Airports and other implementing agencies to advance priority investments that support sustainable development in Vanua Levu.
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Photos:
An aerial view of the Labasa Airport runway following the completion of the strengthening works this week.
This morning,Fiji Airports welcomed Northern Air’s first arriving passengers to Labasa Airport as Waiqele officially reopened after six weeks.
The Fiji Airways crew made it extra special by welcoming passengers with beautiful necklaces, refreshments, and warm island smiles.
Integrated Tourism Master Plan (ITMP): Planning for Sustainable Tourism Growth in Vanua Levu and Taveuni
Following the wide consultations held last year, the ITMP team carried out further community engagements across Macuata earlier this year.
Consultations were well attended, with strong representation from community leaders, including women, youth, and persons with disabilities. Communities are now better informed of the project objectives and phases.
The team noted strong buy-in and ownership, alongside the need to balance tourism opportunities with protecting and preserving natural as well as cultural assets since cultural tourism options are being explored.
Cultural mapping was used during these sessions to systematically document both tangible and intangible cultural assets, including sites of significance, stories, traditions, and traditional knowledge, as well as potential opportunities for kayaking, surfing, trekking, eco-tourism and backpacker sites.
These sessions generated valuable conversations and inputs. In Nadogo District, for example, Kavewa Island Eco Sanctuary has already mapped sites including a turtle nesting site, a Lapita pottery site, and a locally managed marine area. Such information will help strengthen planning, responsible development, and heritage conservation through the ITMP process.
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.
Discussions included the MSME & Community-Based Tourism (CBT) Capacity Building and Grant Program, the application deadline for which closed on 13 February 2026.
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.
🌿 Tourism growth must protect what matters most to communities. That is why the Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment is critical in helping ensure that future tourism development safeguards land, livelihoods, culture, and the natural environment, while supporting sustainable economic opportunities.
📍 Following extensive engagement last year, the Na Vualiku Project recently reconvened stakeholders in Labasa, Nabouwalu, Savusavu, and Taveuni to present the results of the assessment and invite feedback to help validate and strengthen the findings.
🤝 These sessions brought together a range of stakeholders, including community representatives and private sector participants such as tourism MSMEs and community-based tourism operators, to review key insights and share perspectives on environmental and social priorities that should guide tourism planning across Vanua Levu and Taveuni.
📝 The feedback gathered will help refine the final recommendations and inform the Integrated Tourism Master Plan, ensuring that future tourism investments reflect community priorities and strong environmental and social safeguards.
🌏 Through engagements like these, the Na Vualiku Project continues to ensure that tourism planning for the Northern Division is shaped by community voices and local knowledge.
Feature image: The Great White Wall, located on Fiji’s Rainbow Reef in the Somosomo Strait, is a world-renowned dive site famous for its vertical drop-off covered in luminous white soft corals (Dendronephthya). Photo: Taveuni Tourism Association
Discover how the Na Vualiku Project is shaping the future of tourism in Vanua Levu and Taveuni! Through a series of dynamic workshops, community voices are coming together to define a shared vision for sustainable tourism that reflects local aspirations. Participants, including community representatives and tourism operators, are mapping existing assets and identifying new opportunities while prioritizing the protection of natural and cultural treasures. Join us in exploring how these collaborative efforts will guide the Integrated Tourism Master Plan, ensuring that tourism development supports local livelihoods and fosters economic growth. Dive into the details and be part of this transformative journey!
✈️ Our Environment and Social Officers undertook an Environmental and Social (E&S) site inspection at #LabasaAirport to review ongoing resilience works and ensure compliance with project safeguard requirements.
As part of this engagement, the team also delivered training on Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH) prevention and the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) to staff from Flame Tree, BECA, and Fiji Airports.
These sessions reinforced clear reporting pathways, respectful workplace standards, and accountability across all contractors and partners operating on site.
Why this matters: strong safeguards and awareness on the ground help ensure infrastructure upgrades are delivered responsibly, with the safety, dignity, and rights of workers and communities protected throughout implementation.
Second ITMP Advisory Group Meeting: Advancing the Integrated Tourism Master Plan for Vanua Levu and Taveuni
The second meeting of the Integrated Tourism Master Plan (ITMP) Advisory Group was held this month, bringing together key stakeholders to review progress and provide strategic guidance for the development of the Integrated Tourism Master Plan for Vanua Levu and Taveuni.
🗂️ The Advisory Group plays an important oversight role in the planning process, ensuring that community consultations, technical assessments, and sector priorities are properly reflected as the Plan is developed.
💬 Discussions focused on feedback from recent community engagements, emerging planning directions, and the integration of environmental and social considerations to support responsible, sustainable tourism growth.
🌿 Why this matters: strong governance and informed oversight help ensure the final Plan is practical, locally grounded, and aligned with the long-term interests of Vanua Levu.
Tourism opportunities in Vanua Levu are expanding. The challenge is ensuring growth is carefully planned so communities benefit, risks are managed early, and the region’s cultural and natural assets are protected.
The #NaVualikuProject team met with Divisional Planning Officer Ms Ruci Daveta to align local priorities with long-term tourism planning.
Teams engaged to develop the Integrated Tourism Master Plan were present to listen and accurately capture divisional priorities, including the Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment team reinforcing environmental and social safeguards within the planning process.
This approach ensures the Plan reflects what matters most to communities and stakeholders across Vanua Levu.
