Tourism Fiji’s “Love Your Locals” campaign is encountering challenges due to a critical shortage of hotel room availability, exacerbated by an influx of international tourists following the easing of pandemic restrictions. Chief Executive Dr. Paresh Pant highlighted this issue, stating that the demand from both local and overseas visitors has overwhelmed current hotel capacity.
The surge in post-pandemic tourism has created significant room shortages, making it difficult for the hospitality industry to keep pace with heightened demand. Dr. Pant noted that numerous hotel rooms are currently offline, which hampers the capacity to meet the local interest spurred by the campaign. “Once they come online, then I think there will be space for greater opportunities to engage with that love the locals process,” he added optimistically.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism, Viliame Gavoka, echoed these sentiments, reflecting on how the high demand is leading to insufficient accommodation options. He stressed the importance of aligning airline inventory with ground accommodations to sustain growth. Gavoka pointed out that the previous boom in tourism, fueled by pent-up demand, is slowly receding as global competition intensifies, necessitating quick action to address the accommodation shortcomings.
To combat these challenges, the Fijian government is actively promoting a diversification of tourism options. Initiatives include encouraging the development of new accommodations beyond standard hotels—such as community tourism projects and Airbnb-style rentals—to cater to varied traveler needs. This approach aligns with a broader vision of enhancing Fiji’s tourism infrastructure, essential for supporting the anticipated growth in visitor numbers, projected to reach over 1.1 million by 2027.
The efforts to address housing shortages in the sector are further bolstered by the construction of 16 new hotel projects, which are expected to add over 2,200 rooms to Fiji’s tourism capacity. Additionally, ongoing investment in local infrastructure is seen as crucial to maintaining Fiji’s standing as a premier travel destination. This multifaceted strategy reflects a dedication to not only support the burgeoning tourism sector but also ensure its sustainability amid increasing demand.
Despite current hurdles, the outlook for Fiji’s tourism industry remains hopeful. By diversifying offerings and enhancing local engagement, the initiatives undertaken by the government and Tourism Fiji are paving the way for a robust and resilient tourism future, reinforcing Fiji’s allure as a vibrant travel locale.