Tourists Clean-Up Wailoaloa Beach

Two international organisations yesterday teamed up with Tourism Fiji to help keep a beach in Nadi litter-free.

In an effort to promote environmental stewardship and responsible tourism, the Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), a leading global cruise company, and Take 3 for the Sea, an Australian-based charity organisation, teamed up with Tourism Fiji to help clean Wailoaloa Beach.

NCL operates the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands with a combined fleet of 28 ships and about 59,150 berths in more than 490 destinations worldwide, including Fiji.

Take 3 for the Sea is an award-winning Australian charity body on a mission to rid the oceans of plastic pollution.

Yesterday, tourists onboard NCL’s MV Norwegian Spirit and members of the charity organisation and Tourism Fiji engaged with stakeholders to clean the beach.

Tourism Fiji chief executive officer Brent Hill said the clean-up was a collaboration between Tourism Fiji, NCL, and Take 3 for the Sea.

He said it was to help preserve natural beauty and marine ecosystems, to organise a day to remove rubbish and plastic waste. It was part of the activities for guests onboard the cruiseliner.

“At Tourism Fiji, we know how important our pristine environment is, and we’re doing all we can to keep it that way,” Mr Hill said.

“We want to continue to involve tourists in our sustainability initiatives, introduce fun activities, and at the same time contribute towards protecting our environment. We’re very grateful to Norwegian and Take 3 for the Sea for this initiative, as we aim to keep tourism sustainable.”

MV Norwegian Spirit general manager Rade Vuk Malobabic said taking the beach-clean series offshore for the first time was a milestone for the cruiseline and its commitment to help preserve the destinations its vessels visit.

“Fiji is one of our favourite holiday destinations to visit. Not only because of its white sandy beaches, lush mountains, stunning coral reefs, and crystal blue water, but also because of the heartfelt welcome and culture of the people. As one of the most pristine destinations NCL visits, it is critically important that we contribute to preserving its natural assets,” Malobabic said.

Take 3 for the Sea provided expertise and guidance for the clean-up event.

Its CEO, Jacquie Riddell, said it was the first time NCL had taken its beach clean-up series with Take 3 for the Sea overseas, with hopes of expanding the reach of this partnership in the years to come.

“We are thrilled to be rolling this initiative out with our Pacific neighbours, starting with beautiful Fiji. Unfortunately, plastic pollution is a global problem, and it requires global solutions,” she said.

She said Take 3 for the Sea was proud to lead a movement of people taking human-sized actions, doing what they could wherever they were to contribute to the solution.

Emily Dopko, a Canadian tourist onboard the MV Norwegian Spirit, joined 65 guests who participated in the event. She said the beach clean-up presented an opportunity for travellers like her and local and industry partners to contribute to Fiji’s sustainable tourism efforts.

Members of the Wailoaloa Beach Club also joined the clean-up.

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