Suva, Fiji, December 13, 2018—IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is partnering with the Fijian Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism and the cruise tourism industry to measure the economic impact of cruising in Fiji. The study – supported by the Australian Government – will help the Fijian Government and companies to sustainably grow the sector and increase benefits to local businesses.
Fiji’s Permanent Secretary (PS) for Industry, Trade and Tourism, Shaheen Ali, launched the six-month study today with tourism sector representatives, donors and business operators. Fiji’s major regional cruise lines, Carnival Australia and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, are playing a key role in the study.
“The cruise industry is becoming an important sector for the Fijian tourism industry,” said PS Ali. “By surveying cruise passengers, local businesses, and cruise companies, this study will help us understand the sector better and how to continue to diversify our tourism products, improve the cruise experience and ensure that cruise visitors spend more onshore and on local service providers.”
The study will measure the direct and indirect economic impacts of cruise tourism, generating baseline data on the sector’s impact on the Fijian economy. The research will include a cost-benefit analysis of the expansion of the cruise sector in Fiji to inform investment decisions by government, donor partners and the industry. Environmental and social impacts of the development opportunities will also be considered as part of the analysis.
“The number of cruise passengers arriving in Fiji has more than trebled since 2010, with over 180,000 people visiting by ships last year, which is benefiting the economy,” said Deva De Silva, IFC’s Resident Representative for Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and Kiribati. “There is potential though for Fiji to make even more gains and increase the impact of cruise tourism to provide jobs and create business opportunities for Fiji’s tourism entrepreneurs in the various ports of call.”
Fiji receives Australian and New Zealand based cruises, and trans-Pacific and Round-the-World cruise vessels. According to the Fijian Ministry of Industry Trade and Tourism, a total of 69 cruise ships are expected throughout 2018. The main ports of call in Fiji are Dravuni Island, Port Denarau (Nadi), Lautoka, Savusavu and Suva.
IFC’s work in advising on tourism in Fiji is supported under the Australia-IFC Fiji Partnership. Australia and IFC are working together through this partnership to promote sustainable economic development, reduce poverty and stimulate private sector investment in Fiji.