From next year, Government will be able provide stakeholders with real time visitors’ survey data with modernisation to the International Visitors Survey.

The Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism, Faiyaz Siddiq Koya, confirmed this during the 2015 Industry Day at Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa.

“The surveys are loaded on an application on a daily basis, which can be easily accessed by the data officers at the Ministry,” he said.

“So now you do not have to wait until the end of the year to receive information.”

And as an initial step, Government will launch the International Visitors Survey Report – an important planning document – next month.

The purpose of this survey is to provide the Government and the industry regular, timely, comprehensive and accurate information on the characteristics, preferences and expectations of our visitors.

Tourism Development Plan

Meanwhile, Mr Koya announced that his Ministry would undertake industry consultation in December for the Fijian Tourism Development Plan.

He confirmed the plan would be launched in the first quarter of next year.

“To ensure that momentum is maintained through continuation of effective policies, the Fijian Government will put in place a Fijian Tourism Development Plan 2015-2020,” he said.

“I know the industry has been eagerly awaiting this Plan for some time.

“Significant changes have been made to the draft Plan in order to align the strategies to the overall vision of the Fijian Government.”

Mr Koya also stressed that for the FijiFirst Government, the tourism industry was not simply about tourists coming in, staying at hotels and then leaving.

“It’s about encouraging them spending more time out of the resorts and more money on genuine Fijian products and services,” he said.