"When the tourist dollar is spent, it stays in Fiji and that is very important."

Those were the sentiments of the Minister for Tourism, the Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum while opening the first stages of the Natavora Waters Resort at Tagaqe in Nadroga yesterday.

Sayed-Khaiyum has urged local tourism stakeholders to utilize local resources to produce products for the tourist market so that the tourist dollar is captured locally.

Sayed-Khaiyum added that having only local products to sell to tourists would bolster tourism earnings that currently contribute about 20 percent to the Gross Domestic Product.

He said that Fiji is happy when developments like Natavora where there is very close contact with the local community, and where the locals are able to take advantage and get the spread of the tourism dollar.

Meanwhile the resort is already employing 22 landowners and promised jobs for a further 130 once it is completed after four years.

The Minister opened the bar, restaurant and three villas which will provide both the facilities and professional caregivers for children with special needs to make their holiday the best.


Story by: Tokasa Rainima