1. Stuart Gow, Director Resort Support, Fiji Tourism and community development in Fiji A symposium hosted by The School of Tourism and Hospitality Management, University of the South Pacific in association with The Institute of Development Studies, Massey University, 25 June 2015 2. Summary SMEs the engine Charity vs Partnerships Case Studies Tui Tai Matava Talanoa Treks The Future 3. The Engine of the Economy 4. SME - Small Medium Enterprise Generally under capitalised Single family, small board or sole proprietor Small is less than $100k They ARE decision makers 5. Examples today Tui Tai Adventure Cruises Matava Fiji untouched Talanoa Treks 6. CSR = Corporate Social Responsibility The Business Argument corporate conscience corporate citizenship responsible business Employment is not CSR... Used to be just Environment Now more & more Social Welfare 7. Charity/Aid = Old School Original community non involvement Band-aid Hand outs Pay offs Not sustainable More consumable 8. Partnerships = New School Inclusive Tourism & Businesses Sub contracting Micro start up assistance Not purely for Tourism Diversified income Long term Quality of Life improvements 9. Adventure Cruises Cruises through north Fiji Tavueni-Lau-Rabi 5, 7, 10 days Remote islands & villages Based in Savusavu 10. Tui Tai charitable fund Offers important assistance & contributions well-being of villagers living far from population centres Established because our passengers wanted to make contributions to assist people theyd seen during their visits 11. Voluntourism projects distributing supplies completing assessments education, infrastructure, environment, medical painting schools and building school furniture teaching and more 12. Humanitarian tours Jazmin Grace Grimaldi, daughter of Monacos Prince Albert Alanis Morissette Personalities & Celebrities 13. EcoTourism from the Start.. From the start: solar power organic gardening eco-tourism principles A continuing active marketing plan taps in to the growing demand for planet friendly vacations. 14. Social Investment Sharing the benefits of sustainable development; Protecting the natural environment; and Supporting the local communities in which Matavas customers, employees, investors and suppliers live 15. Matava Foundation System to process community requests for assistance Manages tourism involvement with community projects Relationship with communities Limits constant requests & aid mentality 16. Foundation Program Areas 4 only specific program areas Medical Support Sustainable Development Environment Education Limits requests... 17. Partnerships Bee keeping Capital investment by resort Skills by community 50/50 partnership on harvest 18. Advantages Unique Selling Position International Regional South Pacific Early adopter First 2 market 3rd Party validation 19. Eco and Ecotourism Awards Awards = FREE advertising FREE PR 3rd party endorsement 20. Talanoa Treks Multi-day hikes 3 to 5 days Showcasing Fijis beautiful hidden interior Running 18 months 21. Separate Business Units Each village is a separate business All guides local villagers Sub contracted as guides Food and lodgings all owned & operated by communities 22. 4 Rural Communities communities are at the heart of everything they do supporting them to establish small enterprises generate independent employment & income 23. Two Lodges Govt Owned Old colonial buildings Community run 24. Business Training identify and addresses training needs first aid training guide training business development support 25. Recognise Local Opportunities Enabling communities to recognise opportunities identify needs & the way in which their own enterprises can contribute to community development shape the way the wider business operates & grows 26. Long Term & Sustainable Short Term Solutions Charity = Feel good ~ short term ~ band aids ~ not sustainable Long Term Solutions Partnerships Businesses Community SME 27. Partnerships & Seeds All sectors Tourism Agriculture Transport Cooperatives SME Companies Training & Education No fast-fix shortcuts 28. Thank You 29. Questions? 30. Stuart Gow Mobile: +679-997-5416 Email: Stuart@ResortSupportFiji.com Web ResortSupportFiji.com LinkedIn LinkedIn.com/in/StuartGow Twitter @StuartinFiji Google + Google.com/+StuartGow Facebook Facebook.com/Stuart.Gow Pinterest Pinterest.com/stuartinfiji Tumblr stuartinfiji.tumblr.com 31. Stuart Gow, Director Resort Support, Fiji Tourism and community development in Fiji A symposium hosted by The School of Tourism and Hospitality Management, University of the South Pacific in association with The Institute of Development Studies, Massey University, 25 June 2015