MSME Day Special
Communications and Outreach Specialist
June 27, 2026
Elevating the Vision:
Why Targeted Support for MSMEs is the Key to Sustainable Tourism in the North
The true driving force of tourism in Vanua Levu and Taveuni lies in the resourcefulness of our local entrepreneurs: our Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), the craftship of our women’s cultural enterprises, and the shared custodianship and stewardship of our community-based tourism (CBT) communities.
These innovators already possess the talent, vision, and cultural heritage that make the Northern Division unforgettable. However, scaling an enterprise comes with distinct structural challenges. Even the most driven business owners encounter hurdles when trying to fund infrastructure upgrades, master complex regulatory compliance, or break into competitive digital marketplaces.
The Na Vualiku Project’s MSME and CBT Support Program was designed to address these exact gaps; not by changing the core of these businesses, but by providing the resources and expertise they need to scale on their own terms.
MSMEs, women’s cultural enterprises, and CBT operators across Vanua Levu and Taveuni could apply for targeted training and funding for small-scale infrastructure for selected CBT operators under the Na Vualiku MSME and CBT Support Program. It aims to strengthen local tourism businesses, improve visitor experiences, and ensure that tourism growth delivers direct benefits to communities at the grassroots level.
Through the Program, MSMEs, women’s cultural enterprises, and CBT operators will access capacity-building support covering business registration and regulatory compliance, financial literacy and record-keeping, marketing and digital promotion, tourism quality standards, and business readiness for financing and investment.
Following the official launch of the program in December 2025, by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Hon. Viliame Gavoka, local operators across Labasa, Savusavu, and Taveuni responded with immense enthusiasm. This groundswell of local interest culminated in a highly successful application window closing on February 13, 2026.
Strong Demand for MSME Support Program Out of a total of 315 applications received under the MSME and Community-Based Tourism (CBT) Support Program, around 30% were for the Community-Based Tourism Grant component, while about 70% were for the Capacity Building component.
The strong response reflects the deep interest and demand among local businesses, women-led enterprises, and community-based tourism operators who participated in outreach sessions and completed the application process. It also points to a clear need for both community-based tourism support and broader business development assistance to improve products, services, systems, and market readiness. As our teams travel across the North for field visits this month, we are focusing on how the Program’s two core components work together to unlock this local potential:
🛠️ Unleashing Potential: CBT Infrastructure Upgrades Great visitor experiences require functional, sustainable spaces. Through the capital grant component of the MSME and CBT Support Program, selected community-owned enterprises will be supported to upgrade their physical properties. From developing low-impact eco-trails and clear signage to installing renewable energy solutions and modern waste management facilities, such structural enhancements would allow communities to welcome visitors safely while protecting their natural resources.
📊 Sharpening the Operational Edge: Strategy & Capacity Building In tandem with infrastructure, local business owners are continually refining their management systems. By working one-on-one with specialized Business Development Service (BDS) advisors through our program, selected entrepreneurs would master practical tools for long-term success. Such hands-on mentorship will cover everything from financial record-keeping and strategic pricing to digital promotion and investment readiness.
The Broader Impact: Grassroots Self-Reliance When local businesses are equipped with the right infrastructure and strategic tools, the entire northern tourism model permanently shifts from a top-down industry into a grassroots movement. True sustainability cannot be bought or imported; it is forged by keeping local ownership and local hands at the absolute center of economic growth. As DPM Gavoka emphasized during the initial December roll-out, “Tourism thrives when our communities thrive.”
Responding to the overwhelming demand, the Na Vualiku Project is doing more than just supporting local businesses; we are helping create pathways to anchor economic benefits of tourism directly within the villages, families, and valleys of Vanua Levu and Taveuni. Empowering these local creators ensures that the growth of the North remains self-reliant, resilient, and proudly driven by the very people who make the “Friendly North” extraordinary.
