Fiji today joined hundreds of countries from around the world in commemorating the official 2019 World Tourism Day.
World Tourism Day (WTD) is commemorated each year on 27 September, with celebrations led by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO0 with the resolve to foster awareness among the global community of tourism’s social, cultural, political and economic value and the contribution the sector can make in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In 2019, in line with UNWTO’s overarching focus on skills, education and jobs throughout the year, WTD will be a celebration on the topic ‘Tourism and Jobs: a better future for all’. The theme has affinity with Fiji’s commitment to the sustainable development of the Fijian tourism industry, as well as the Fijian economy at large.
In the spirit of WTD 2019, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism (Ministry), participated at the University of the South Pacific’s School of Tourism and Hospitality Management (STHM), annual Careers Fair which was held at the Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort & Spa.
In officiating at the event which saw to a total of 99 students (62 graduating and 37 interns) and 42 industry representatives, Permanent Secretary for Industry, Trade and Tourism, Shaheen Ali, highlighted the relevance of this year’s theme to the Fijian tourism industry.
“In this highly competitive global job market, opportunities like these are valuable. It provides the much-needed opportunity a young aspiring individual need to kick start their career, in one of the most dynamic sectors of the economy,” stated PS Ali.
He further highlighted the added advantage Tourism and Hospitality students have given the multidisciplinary nature of the industry, one that is ever growing.
“The Fijian Government’s approach to tourism is sustainable partnership, where each stakeholder in the industry takes a shared responsibility towards achieving the national vision for the tourism sector. That includes all of you here.”
Tourism is a major source of employment because of its labour-intensive nature and the significant multiplier effect on employment in related sectors. It is estimated that one job in the core tourism sector creates about one-and-a-half additional or indirect jobs in the tourism-related economy. Overall tourism accounts for one in ten jobs worldwide . It is estimated that ‘accommodation and restaurants’, together with ‘private sector services’, will create jobs at the fastest rate among all sectors in the economy over the next five years .
As the fastest growing sector in the country and in the world, Tourism is also the largest employer in Fiji creating 1 in 3 jobs directly or indirectly. Largely attributed to the strong linkages it has with other sectors, such as construction, transport, agriculture, entertainment and manufacturing.
This presents both a reminder and an opportunity for policy makers, industry representatives and academia to invest in its youth. This year’s WTD theme is mirrored in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 8 – Quality Education; and Decent Work and Economic Growth, respectively.
Part and parcel to the Careers Fair, the Ministry and STHM, collaborated on a fish house building and coral planting engagement at the Outrigger Fiji Resort & Spa in honor of Fiji’s commitment in the global arena. In attendance were TS208 Operational Issues for Hospitality students and Senior Lectures and staff of the Outrigger.
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