Savusavu ,Nabouwalu Airports Get Facelift, Expected to Boost Tourist Arrivals

Expansion of ports of entry and airports on Vanua Levu are expected to boost its tourism industry, says the Commissioner Northern, Uraia Rainima.

He said the Savusavu and Nabouwalu jetties expansions would enhance and attract the influx of tourists.

Mr Rainima said the World Bank-funded Vanua Levu Tourism Development Project would enable the North to enhance its tourism portfolio along with the copra and sugar production prominence.

He said the expansion project covered would benefit Cakaudrove and Macuata in terms of tourism arrival. The Savusavu Airport tarmac is scheduled to be extended while the Labasa International Airport is billed for a facelift.

The project is expected to start soon.

Mr Rainima commended the various investments undertaken in Savusavu by the Nawi Island Project and in Labasa with new hotels earmarked to open soon.

For the Nabouwalu township development, a development phase included the construction of a passenger terminal facility.

“We must open up to the world so that many people from around the world spend their holidays here.”

Mr Rainima reiterated that the North deserved an opportunity to contribute to the national economy and this World Bank-funded project was the best avenue.

Macuata Tourism Association president Paul Jaduram, said the project would enable more tourists to visit the North and Macuata to open up to tourism services.

Mr Jaduram said the project would ensure tourist flow would spread across Viti Levu and Vanua Levu.

Apart from tourism, the project would enable the creation of jobs and allow local producers market goods domestically and internationally.

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