The Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association is working around the clock to deliver training programmes in the lead up to its annual general meeting (AGM) in June 23.

FHTA chief executive officer, Fantasha Lockington, said the AGM would be held in Nadi.

Hilton Fiji Beach Resort and Spa, Nadi, will be home to the event.

‘The First Biggest Role Is Our People’

The association continued to support a more national sustainability theme, after witnessing the challenges behind driving sustainability programmes, she said.

“Compliance and regulations are in place to ensure businesses meet legislative and policy frameworks,” Mrs Lockington said.

“However, there were never sufficient support mechanisms and guidance platforms in place to move these usually small initiatives, to make real progress.

“Fiji’s natural environments – the lush forests and river systems, the pristine marine ecosystems and beaches – play the second biggest role in why tourism is a driving force for economic activity.

“The first and biggest role is our people.”

Excited

The national tourism office has included sustainability as part of its recently launched Corporate Plan.

Mrs Lockington said the recognition would further Fiji’s position as a destination.

“We are already doing many constructive and noteworthy sustainability programmes, but they’re not appreciated, recognised, or supported at a national level,” she said.

“There is widespread interest in waste management, waste collection, and recycling especially in the North, and on the smaller maritime islands.

“Many people live in urban areas where their rubbish is collected.

“They never have to think about this.

“But thousands of people live in urban and maritime communities, where waste is dumped into rivers, streams and oceans, because of the lack of awareness, or formalised collection-   and even even recycling.

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