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 engage relevant stakeholders through site visits, participatory mapping and focus group activities;
• To identify and assess sustainable tourism and conservation opportunities for the Northern Division; and
• To better understand gendered experiences, challenges and opportunities in conservation, natural resource management, business and sustainable tourism.

The ICEM team undertook a series of one-on-one consultations, participatory mapping workshops, focus groups and site visits to meet these objectives.

Activity 1: One-on-one consultations

Thirteen one-on-one consultations were held during the mission with key stakeholders, including those from government ministries and departments, non-government conservation organisations and public institutions, and the private sector (e.g., tourism operators and financial institutions). These in-depth consultations generated valuable information on strategic directions and priorities for investments, progress on existing projects and plans (e.g., the National Forest Inventory), institutional and policy gaps and needs, and challenges and opportunities for sustainable tourism development and conservation in the Northern Division.

Activity 2: Participatory Mapping Workshops

The ICEM team completed five participatory mapping workshops with stakeholders who had in-depth knowledge of local biodiversity hotspots, and sustainable tourism activities and opportunities. Three were held with government representatives, non-government organisations and private sector stakeholders in Suva, Labasa and Savusavu. Stakeholders were asked to draw and annotate areas of tourism, environmental and conservation interest in their relevant municipality, and in the wider Northern Division, on high-resolution A0 satellite images.   The remaining two participatory mapping workshops were held with local communities, which were selected as representatives of a larger network of locations in the Northern Division with opportunities and commitment to conservation and sustainable tourism. Mapping the community landholdings, including identifying key cultural and natural assets, environmentally degraded areas, and potential tourism areas, provided critical data for developing community-based sustainable tourism models in the Northern Division.

Activity 3: Women’s focus groups in Vanua Levu

Four focus groups with women from diverse backgrounds were held – including entrepreneurs, handicraft vendors, members of formal women’s groups and marketplace associations, and women from various coastal and inland communities in Vanua Levu and Taveuni. Discussions focused on women’s roles and responsibilities, barriers and challenges faced strategies for overcoming barriers, and women’s needs and opportunities related to natural resource management, business, sustainable tourism and conservation.  

Activity 4: Site visits in Vanua Levu

Site visits were conducted on this mission to collect important information related to existing tourism areas, areas with sustainable tourism potential and areas requiring restoration or infrastructure development for future sustainable tourism. The ICEM team visited and assessed various landfill sites, marketplaces, a resort, wharfs, areas requiring greening and rehabilitation, and tourism assets such as waterfalls, walking trails, hot springs, viewpoints, lakes, and an offshore island. Based on these activities and reviews of existing literature, the ICEM team is currently working on documenting existing status and trends of the environment and tourism sector, and identifying the key needs and opportunities for ecosystem resilience and sustainable tourism development in Fiji and the Northern Division. Key recommendations related to the design and potential application of policies, market-based instruments and other management measures are being developed to support the Government of Fiji’s priorities and objectives for environmental protection and sustainable growth. Economic analyses methodologies are also being used to illustrate the key benefits and costs of protecting ecosystems and biodiversity, greening existing tourism and implementing our recommended measures. A third and final mission is planned for early 2023 to present our findings and recommendations to key stakeholders for feedback and further development.

[1] The World Bank. 2017. Pacific Possible: Long-term Economic Opportunities and Challenges for Pacific Island Countries [2] SPREP. 2013. Fiji’s State of Environment Report;