MIVA participate in week-long attachment with SPTO

The South Pacific Tourism Organisation recently hosted two staff members from the Marshal Islands Visitors Authority (MIVA) on a tourism attachment.

“Air access, product and human resource development is a key for our Small Island States if they want to develop tourism. We are delighted to host the Marshall Islands Visitors Authority at SPTO, particularly here in Fiji as it’s one of the Pacific’s premier destinations and continues to lead the top 10 destination shares with 36.7%. We want them to experience what Fiji has to offer and in turn take that knowledge back to their country to help develop their tourism industry” said Chris Cocker, CEO of SPTO.

Loretta Lori deBrum who handles Information & Special Projects and Marketing Officer, Yolanda Mares both enjoyed the weeklong attachment and are excited about the knowledge sharing and best practise experiences.

Ms. deBrum has been transiting through Fiji and welcomed the opportunity to experience the country as a tourist and noted the difference between her home country and here.

“Fiji is well developed and advanced in tourism infrastructure compared to a small island destination such as the Republic of Marshall Islands. We are a remote group of islands in the middle of the northern Pacific with only two main hotels and four backpacker hostels, so we see endless possibilities for our tourism sector”.

Ms deBrum also said in regards to her country that is just starting in the tourism industry, it is important that they learn the advantages and disadvantages in tourism development, planning and how they can adapt through their country transitioning towards sustainable tourism.

“We learned a great deal on the importance of data, inbound and outbound, domestic and international tourism statistics for planning. We hope to take this knowledge back home to help develop ideas for our tourism growth” said Ms deBrum.

The weeklong attachment included site inspections at the Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort, Denarau, and Nadi Town Hotel as well as training on sustainable tourism and social media applications. The duo also toured Rosie Holidays office in Namaka as well as the meet and greet operations at the Nadi International Arrivals.