Fiji’s Tourism Action Group (TAG) has welcomed TAANZ and Australian Travel Industry Association leaders to its membership as observers, in a bid to strengthen collaboration and regional representation in discussions around Fiji’s tourism industry. 
TAANZ ceo Julie White and ATIA ceo Dean Long joined the organisation at a reception in Fiji yesterday attended by Fiji’s deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Viliame Gavoka, TAG chair Damend Gounder, Tourism Fiji ceo Dr Paresh Pant and tourism industry stakeholders.
Australia and New Zealand remain Fiji’s two largest international visitor source markets, collectively accounting for approximately 70% of total visitor arrivals.
“The inclusion of ATIA and TAANZ provides an important opportunity for the travel trade in these markets to contribute directly to discussions on matters affecting Fiji’s tourism sector,” says TAG. Fiji political heavyweight Gavoka has welcomed the development and says Australia and New Zealand are longstanding partners of Fiji.
“Given the importance of tourism to our economy, the inclusion of ATIA and TAANZ in TAG will further strengthen these relationships and enhance collaboration on matters of mutual importance to Fiji’s tourism industry.”
In addition, Tourism Fiji boss Paresh Pant says the move ensures that the perspectives of Fiji’s two largest source markets ‘are part of our ongoing discussions’.
Pictured: The Fiji tourism delegation with ATIA ceo Dean Long and TAANZ ceo Julie White, sitting either side of Fiji’s deputy Prime Minister Viliame Gavoka.
