This presentation was presented at the Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference 2011 (ESTC 2011), held in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA, from September 19th-21st. Organized by The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), the

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Rivers Fiji…Rivers Fiji…

You can’t often see You can’t often see your destination on the your destination on the first step of your first step of your journey…journey…

““I’lI’ll Fly Away” 12-19-94

Where is Fiji?Where is Fiji?Situated approx. 2000 miles Situated approx. 2000 miles

NE of Sydney, AustraliaNE of Sydney, Australia

332 Islands, one-third 332 Islands, one-third uninhabited…uninhabited…

Nearly 900,000 strong, 60% Nearly 900,000 strong, 60% live in rural areas…live in rural areas…

Tourism in FijiTourism in Fiji 2009, gross earnings over $800 million2009, gross earnings over $800 million

Nearly 600,000 visitors in 2009Nearly 600,000 visitors in 2009

Spend an average of 8 days in FijiSpend an average of 8 days in Fiji

Employs nearly 45,000+ peopleEmploys nearly 45,000+ people

Australia (33%); NZ (17%); USA (14%); Australia (33%); NZ (17%); USA (14%); UK (12%); Japan (10%); Pacific UK (12%); Japan (10%); Pacific Islanders (6%); Europe (5%); Islanders (6%); Europe (5%);

Where is Rivers Fiji…Where is Rivers Fiji…

Rivers Fiji...Rivers Fiji...•Founded in 1998

•Partnership

• New Ecotourism Product

•Founded in 1998

•Partnership

• New Ecotourism Product

How RF began…How RF began…• First explored in 1993First explored in 1993• Re-visit in 1995 & 1996Re-visit in 1995 & 1996• 1997 FTIB approval to operate commercial river 1997 FTIB approval to operate commercial river

trips…trips…• 1998 – Started promoting & training guides (6 1998 – Started promoting & training guides (6

months)months)• 2000 – Established the Upper Navua Conservation 2000 – Established the Upper Navua Conservation

Area (UNCA)Area (UNCA)• 2006 - Established as a RAMSAR Site2006 - Established as a RAMSAR Site

• First explored in 1993First explored in 1993• Re-visit in 1995 & 1996Re-visit in 1995 & 1996• 1997 FTIB approval to operate commercial river 1997 FTIB approval to operate commercial river

trips…trips…• 1998 – Started promoting & training guides (6 1998 – Started promoting & training guides (6

months)months)• 2000 – Established the Upper Navua Conservation 2000 – Established the Upper Navua Conservation

Area (UNCA)Area (UNCA)• 2006 - Established as a RAMSAR Site2006 - Established as a RAMSAR Site

Rivers Fiji-PartnershipRivers Fiji-Partnership

APMAsia Pacific Mgt.

Ecotourism…Ecotourism…

Rivers Fiji VisionRivers Fiji Vision…To enhance visitor’s and indigenous peoples appreciation for the culture and environment by providing activities that promote conservation & preservation through socially responsible and environmentally sensitive interaction with people, landscapes and ecosystems which makes the Fijian Highlands so distinct and unique.

Objective…

• To develop a nature-based To develop a nature-based tourism business that tourism business that contributes to the contributes to the preservation /conservation preservation /conservation of Fiji’s natural resources of Fiji’s natural resources upon which the business upon which the business depends.depends.

• UNCA---RAMSAR----Others…UNCA---RAMSAR----Others…

  

Upper Navua Conservation Area Upper Navua Conservation Area (UNCA)(UNCA)

Upper Navua Conservation Area Upper Navua Conservation Area (UNCA)(UNCA)

Rivers Fiji

TouristsMataqali

NLTBNLTBLogging CompanyLogging Company

Strategy…Strategy…• Implement the ‘leave no trace’ concepts and practices Implement the ‘leave no trace’ concepts and practices

on all programs;on all programs;

• Educate local guides, community, and guests on Educate local guides, community, and guests on ‘leave no trace’ and river conservation practices; ‘leave no trace’ and river conservation practices;

• Create agreement with the local logging company and Create agreement with the local logging company and communities to conserve 200 meters on each side of communities to conserve 200 meters on each side of the Upper Navua River Corridor. the Upper Navua River Corridor.

• Collaborate with Scientists; RAMSARCollaborate with Scientists; RAMSAR

Strategies…Strategies…• Join local groups on ecotourism Join local groups on ecotourism

and sustainable tourism (e.g., The and sustainable tourism (e.g., The Fiji Ecotourism Association); Fiji Ecotourism Association);

• Share and collaborate knowledge Share and collaborate knowledge of guide training, safety gear, and of guide training, safety gear, and program development ideas with program development ideas with related and complimentary related and complimentary programs;programs;

Strategies…

• Work within established Work within established international guidelines for international guidelines for ecotourism and sustainable ecotourism and sustainable tourism development;tourism development;

• Expand slowly and in direct Expand slowly and in direct consultation with villages consultation with villages and relevant community and relevant community member and landowners.member and landowners.

Rivers Fiji Today…• Environmental Conservation

– Upper Navua Conservation Area (UNCA)

– Education and Research

• Social Programs – Addressing village needs– Guide Training Programs– Environmental Education – Healthcare– Student Groups

UNCA is Established Nov 4, 2006 as Fiji’s first UNCA is Established Nov 4, 2006 as Fiji’s first Ramsar Wetland of International ImportanceRamsar Wetland of International ImportanceUNCA is Established Nov 4, 2006 as Fiji’s first UNCA is Established Nov 4, 2006 as Fiji’s first

Ramsar Wetland of International ImportanceRamsar Wetland of International Importance• Third largest amongst Fiji’s Freshwater Third largest amongst Fiji’s Freshwater

DrainagesDrainages

• 75 meters deep, 25 kilometers long (615 Hectares)75 meters deep, 25 kilometers long (615 Hectares)

• Supports species important for maintaining Supports species important for maintaining biological diversity of a particular region:biological diversity of a particular region:• Migration of unique species of fish and crabs Migration of unique species of fish and crabs

• High concentration of sago palmsHigh concentration of sago palms

• New to science--a species of Gobie!New to science--a species of Gobie!

• Parrots, iguanas…Parrots, iguanas…

UNCA BenefitsUNCA Benefits1.1. $$ Direct income from tourist dollars—$$ Direct income from tourist dollars—

realize direct benefits from conservation (2 realize direct benefits from conservation (2 villages, 9 Mataqali)villages, 9 Mataqali)

2.2. Lease for conservation = environmental Lease for conservation = environmental protection, protects unique cultural sitesprotection, protects unique cultural sites

3.3. Initial efforts have led to international Initial efforts have led to international wetlands recognition, protects freshwater wetlands recognition, protects freshwater sourcesource

4.4. Increased awareness, which may lead to Increased awareness, which may lead to further protection through education and further protection through education and research of the gorgeresearch of the gorge

1.1. $$ Direct income from tourist dollars—$$ Direct income from tourist dollars—realize direct benefits from conservation (2 realize direct benefits from conservation (2 villages, 9 Mataqali)villages, 9 Mataqali)

2.2. Lease for conservation = environmental Lease for conservation = environmental protection, protects unique cultural sitesprotection, protects unique cultural sites

3.3. Initial efforts have led to international Initial efforts have led to international wetlands recognition, protects freshwater wetlands recognition, protects freshwater sourcesource

4.4. Increased awareness, which may lead to Increased awareness, which may lead to further protection through education and further protection through education and research of the gorgeresearch of the gorge

Community Challenges• Lack of healthcareLack of healthcare

• Lack of clean waterLack of clean water

• Lack of transportationLack of transportation

• Lack of trained Lack of trained professionalsprofessionals

• Hospital 60k+ away, Hospital 60k+ away, SuvaSuva

Solutions…• Infrastructure support Infrastructure support

– Road and Trail Maintenance to RiverRoad and Trail Maintenance to River– Care and Expense of Vehicles and Care and Expense of Vehicles and

EquipmentEquipment– GuidesGuides

• SafetySafety

• ResponsibilityResponsibility

• TrainingTraining

• CommunicationCommunication

– WVU starting medical programWVU starting medical program

Future programs...Directed fund raisers for specific Directed fund raisers for specific school projectsschool projects

UNCA Conservation newsletter UNCA Conservation newsletter to past gueststo past guests

Student program supportStudent program support

Seek further conservation area Seek further conservation area support…support…

Grants to support UNCA Grants to support UNCA Ramsar SiteRamsar Site

Rivers Fiji…Rivers Fiji…

Environmental Environmental ConservationConservation– Upper Navua

Conservation Area (UNCA)

– Education and Research

Social ProgramsSocial Programs – Village Donations

– Guide Training Programs

– Environmental Education Programs

– Student Groups

Thank you!Thank you!

“If our planet is to be saved, this

will be achieved not by ideologies

or political programs, but by

people, individuals, in business

and elsewhere -- who make up

their minds to love and work in

greater harmony with the world in

which we live.”

 

--Sir Laurens Van der Post