Reflections from ICEM’s second mission

Tourism is Fiji’s primary expert earner, contributing approximately 34% to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2018.^[1] However, well-managed marine, coastal and terrestrial resources and biodiversity are critical to the success and sustainability of this industry. And yet, essential ecosystems and natural assets are threatened by uncontrolled land development in urban, agricultural and coastal areas, deforestation, overfishing and marine resource exploitation, pollution through agricultural and industrial wastes, the spread of invasive species and worsening climate change.^[2] Plus, the tourism industry contributes to the degradation of the natural assets it depends on through destructive coastal developments, pollution, and unsustainable use of water, energy and other resources. Thus, addressing the multiple threats that are reducing ecosystem resilience requires a comprehensive cross-sectoral policy and spatial planning approach which aims to restore and maintain natural systems.

The World Bank has engaged ICEM to undertake the Assessment of Needs and Opportunities to Improve Ecosystem Resilience and Sustainable Tourism in Fiji. This study has two interconnected parts:

• Assessing the conservation needs of natural resources, their contribution to socio-economic benefits and future sustainable development in Fiji, including solutions for climate change adaptation in coastal areas; and
• Assessing the needs and opportunities for the development of sustainable tourism, including reducing negative externalities from current tourism practices and shifting to nature-based tourism.

The assessment is being undertaken at a national and sub-national level, with an in-depth case study of the Northern Division as an area with significant ecological significance and potential for promoting sustainable tourism development.

From the 21^st of November to the 4^th of December, 2022, the ICEM team undertook its second mission to Suva and Vanua Levu with the objectives to:

• Further […]