Eco-Tourism

Where do tourists go in Fiji?

Fiji has untapped potential for development that could have enormous economic benefits, but deadly environmental costs if not done sustainably.  Tourism must be developed at a rate that both the Fijian people nd the environment can take.  the Fijian governernment should not take advantage of their natural environment, and they must not be taken advantage of by foreign investors.  There must be a balance between development and the environment and between foreign investors and the local Fijian population.  The good news is that Fiji has not been extensively developed and is at a crossroads where it can determine its future.  

Construction and development should be eco-friendly.  Furthermore, design should be traditional and local craftsmanship employed; development should not turn Fiji into a plethora of giant resorts.  

       Developers should not be excused to build if they promise to replant mangroves.  As the table on the right shows, the older the tree, the more photosynthesis occurs.  Furthermore, young trees do not have as much bio-diversity as the old trees. A common restoration project in Fiji is afforestation, when mangrove forests are planted in areas where they did not originally grow in.  Furthermore, while many new mangroves are being planted, trees disappear faster than they are planted.    

Development should be encouraged on a local level to keep money within the locals.  Right now, 60% of the money created by tourism leaves the country.

      Structure is needed to enforce the above discussed guidelines.  Fiji has many old laws protecting mangroves, but they are not strictly enforced.

Eco-friendly tourist activities that do not threaten the environment but instead embraces it.  For example, kayaking instead of motor boats provides an alternative way of promoting Fijian tourism that also benefits the environment. If such kayaking tours also tie in a message of sustainability within each tour, and make it known that their tour is taking action to promote Eco-tourism, I believe that travelers will become more conscious of the potential hurt that tourism has placed on environments around Fiji for decades.

Works Cited:
Alongi, Daniel M. "Present State and Future of the World's Mangrove Forests."Environmental Conservation 29.03 (2002): n. pag. Print.
Levett, Roger, and Richard McNally. A Strategic Environmental Assessment of Fiji’s Tourism Development Plan. Rep. N.p.: n.p., 2003. Print.
Van Lavieren, H., Spalding, M., Alongi, D., Kainuma, M., Clüsener-Godt, M., and Adeel, Z. 2012. Securing the Future of Mangroves. A Policy Brief. UNU-INWEH, UNESCO-MAB with ISME, ITTO, FAO, UNEP-WCMC and TNC. 53 pp.

Table Citations:
http://cmbc.ucsd.edu/content/1/docs/alongi%202002.pdf