Nature Fiji- Mareqeti Viti to work with five local tourism operators to support the development of income generating opportunities

Nature Fiji- Mareqeti Viti who received $85,000 grant from the US Embassy will work with five local tourism operators to support the development of income-generating opportunities in key biodiversity areas while positioning these businesses to be market-ready when tourism returns to Fiji.

Director, Nunia Thomas-Moko says they are partnering with places such as Rivers Fiji, Talanoa Treks, Namosi Eco Retreat and Leleuvia Island Resort.

Thomas-Moko says they will be using the grant to implement their vision of environmentally and culturally responsible tourism.

She further says they are also looking at how in these times when there is not much income coming from tourism, how the organizations are working with their local communities.

Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Fiji has announced five beneficiaries that will share $330,000 under the US Embassy Economic Resilience Grants.

The recipients are The Rotary Club of Savusavu, Nature Fiji- Mareqeti Viti, the Corals for Conservation’s Teitei Livelihoods Centre, the Soqosoqo Vakamarama I-Taukei and Kiribati Chamber of Commerce and Trade.

While signing the grants, US Ambassador to Fiji, Joseph Cella says despite the effects of COVID-19, these five recipients have developed innovative and resilient projects not only to bolster economic activity in their communities but also to develop business models in response to the wide-ranging adversities brought about by this global crisis.

Nature Fiji- Mareqeti Viti will receive $85,000 and they will work with five local tourism operators to support the development of income-generating opportunities in key biodiversity areas while positioning these businesses to be market-ready when tourism returns to Fiji.

The Rotary Club of Savusavu has been given $85,000 and this will be utilized to develop a tourism facility situated on Transinsular Road.

Corals for Conservation’s Teitei Livelihoods Centre will use their grant of $53,000 to implement an entrepreneurial training program to facilitate a network of local homestay and village stay business with women and youth in Sigatoka.

The iSoqosoqo Vakamarama I-Taukei have been given $53,000 and they will use it to establish two commercial incubator/growth centres in the existing premises in Suva and Savusavu.