Drua Home Games Set Platform For Sports Tourism
Tourism Fiji chief executive officer, Brent Hill says, the key now is to use tomorrow’s rugby clash as a test case for next year to grow sports tourism in the country.
Hill said Tourism Fiji was proud to be one of the sponsors for the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua team.
He highlighted that there has been positive interest from trade partners in New Zealand when the announcement for the Super Rugby Pacific clash between Fijian Drua and Chiefs was made.
“In the short time that we have since the game was announced, we have had good interest from our trade partners in New Zealand,” said Hill.
“Given the timeframe from announcement of the game to playing it was short, the key really is to use this game as a test case for 2023 – and a real focus on growing the sports tourism side of tourism,” he said.
“There are some of our accommodation partners like Hilton Resort, for example, who are running an exciting deal for tourists who would like to get tickets to the game and transfers etcetera, which are great.
“Getting tourists who are here,who may not have travelled for the game especially, but who go, to get them to the game, that can really increase the average spend by a tourist in Fiji.”
He added that Fiji was heading for a sellout of tickets again.
“We know that our hotels in the Western division (Nadi and Denarau to Ra) have occupancy of 65 per cent in April (according to Fiji Bureau of Stats) and this figure is growing,” he said.
“We know that thousands of people will be travelling to Lautoka, from local towns and cities and abroad.
“Hosting international events like this not only attracts visitors but an opportunity for us to showcase our infrastructural capabilities in hosting such events,” he added.
“Tourism Fiji also has an Events Investment Fund that’s designed to provide funding support to event organisers looking to host events in Fiji as long as they meet our set criteria and meet our values, we partner with them to help make their events a reality.
“Even just to travel from the Central Division to the West is good – it helps our hotels, restaurants and supporting industries. We’re really looking forward to another step forward – Fiji is well and truly open and happening.”
You can learn more about it on https://corporate.fiji.travel/event-investment .
Feedback: nicolette.chambers@fijisun.com.fj
