This presentation was presented at the Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference 2011 (ESTC 2011), held in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA, from September 19 th -21 st . Organized by The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), the ESTC is a unique annual conference providing practical solutions to advance sustainability goals for the tourism industry. Learn more about the ESTC: http://www.ecotourismconference.org ESTC on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ESTC_Tourism ESTC on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ESTC.Tourism The International Ecotourism Society | web www.ecotourism.org email [email protected] | tel +1 202 506 5033
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ESTC 2011 Presentation by Kelly Bricker, Rivers Fiji, Lease for Conservation
Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference (ESTC) (http://www.ecotourismconference.org/) presentation by Dr. Kelly Bricker, Director, Rivers Fiji, presented in September 2011. Organized by The International Ecotourism Society (http://www.ecotourism.org), the ESTC is a unique annual conference providing practical solutions to advance sustainability goals for the tourism industry.
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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
ESTC is a unique annual conference providing practical solutions to advance sustainability goals for the tourism industry.
Learn more about the ESTC: http://www.ecotourismconference.org ESTC on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ESTC_Tourism
ESTC on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ESTC.Tourism
The International Ecotourism Society | web www.ecotourism.org email [email protected] | tel +1 202 506 5033
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
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.
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