Pacific Tourism Organisation participates in the Nanukuloa Village Tree Planting Initiative

On Monday, 23 March 2026, Reforest, a Brisbane-based social enterprise specialising in regenerative community tourism, formally introduced its model in Fiji through a tree planting activity in Nanukuloa Village, in partnership with Conservation International as the local implementing partner.

Reforest works with tourism operators and businesses to implement measurable climate action by connecting them to community-led reforestation projects, supported by digital tools that track environmental impact.

The initiative forms part of a broader restoration effort in Ra Province, where the Nanukuloa and Nayaulevu communities are rehabilitating 62 hectares of degraded land located between the Nakauvadra and Nakorotubu Mountain Ranges. Previously cleared for cattle grazing, the area has experienced significant erosion and flooding. The planting of 9,500 native trees is expected to restore forest cover, improve watershed systems, and strengthen long-term climate resilience.

The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), at the invitation of Reforest, was fortunate to participate in the Nanukuloa Village Tree Planting Initiative in Ra Province. This provided an opportunity to gain deeper insight into Reforest’s collaboration with Conservation International, including the restoration work being carried out at Nanukuloa.

A key feature of the initiative is the integration of Reforest’s monitoring dashboard, which enables ongoing tracking of tree growth and survival rates. Through its partnership with Conservation International, local communities are trained to manage and report on restoration sites, ensuring sustainability and long-term impact.

The initiative also brought together key national, regional and international stakeholders. These included Travel Associates – the principal donors of this initiative – alongside the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Vinaka Fiji, the Ministry of Environment, and South Seas Cruises. Engagement with Reforest has also initiated discussions on scaling similar models across SPTO member countries.

In line with Fijian cultural protocols, an isevusevu ceremony was conducted with the Chief of the Saivou District, Ratu Sakiusa Taukena, who granted consent for the activity to take place on customary land.

The Nanukuloa initiative reinforces the importance of a coordinated public–private–community approach in delivering effective regenerative tourism outcomes. It further demonstrates the potential for tourism to contribute meaningfully to environmental restoration, community resilience, and sustainable development across the Pacific.