Tourism growth ‘to be fiercely contested’

August 16, 2009 10:09:52 AM

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The way forward for Fiji’s tourism growth aspirations will be fiercely contested, says Qantaslink executive manager Narendra Kumar.

Addressing the Tourism Forum in Natadola, Kumar said many nations will want to capitalise on the many benefits that tourism brings.

“Fiji will have to stay at the top of its game if it wants to emerge a winner,” Kumar said.

Among five things he identified as crucial to Fiji maintaining its edge, he named quality market intelligence because the competitive environment keeps changing emerging trends need to be understood and anticipated.

Kumar also raised the need for exemplary industry standards. 

“You need to stay vigilant about quality: commit to the highest performance and be tough about enforcing it,” he urged.

Other elements included online excellence and the need to stay at the forefront of integrated online marketing and booking online and training. 

“The expectations of tourism service quality and management keep rising.  Professional skills development must be supported,” he said.

Kumar said the most important element in this effort would be industry leadership and partnership. 

“Fiji must continue to see a strong partnership between government and industry to ensure the vision for the future is agreed, and implemented.”

He said Fiji had the fundamental assets and the business acumen to be a globally competitive performer.

Kumar also suggested that Fiji monitor the rise of tourist arrivals from China and India into Australia.

“China is already one of the fastest growing outbound markets in the world.  Australian tourism analysts expect that China and India will drive inbound growth into Australia with the number and value of visitors from those two markets predicted to rise by more than 600 per cent by 2030.”

This he said, is something Fiji will want to monitor as it offers real potential for add-on tourism, if Fiji can position itself effectively.