Hydrographic mapping to bring in cruise ships
HYDROGRAPHIC mapping could see the possibility of cruise ships returning to remote areas such as the Yasawa-i-rara region.
The Fiji Navy has partnered with Market Development Facility (MDF), an Australian government funded organisation and Kenua Fiji yesterday to hand over the hydrographic survey results of the Yasawa-i-rara island anchorage.
The Australian High Commissioner to Fiji John Feakes said this partnership would enable in time an estimate of 24 months or sooner for cruise ships to begin visiting the area.
“Our hope is the local community will benefit from this economically,” he said.
According to a statement issued by MDF Mr Feakes was pleased to be able to broker this innovative partnership between the Fiji Navy and Kenua Fiji.
“These new maps will unlock economic activity for remote communities in the Northern Yasawas.
“Supporting tourism activity across the Fiji Islands is a priority for the Fiji Government and I am pleased Australia's aid program is able to support this in tangible ways,” he said.
Kenua Fiji is the largest local cruise ship agent in Fiji according to the statement and is focused in diversifying the products for its cruise line market.
The national operations manager Bradley Bower said the cruise ship visits had largely been limited to the traditional ports which were around the main island while having only one island stop-off which was at Kadavu.
“The updated hydrographic map will re-open the Yasawa-i-rara anchorage, allowing cruise ships to revisit Yasawa-i-rara,” he said.
“Cruise stops in remote island communities will bring muchneeded economic benefits.
“As a result of this particular partnership, six communities in the Yasawa-i-rara will benefit from additional income through landing fees and sales of handicrafts,” he added.
The Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) between Fiji Navy which according to the statement was responsible for hydrographic mapping in Fiji was undertaken over a three-week period in August this year.
MDF Fiji country director, Victoria Carter, said the organisation was aiming to support the Fijian Government's 2021 Tourism Development Plan in a few areas.
These included the development of improved nautical charts in prospect of growing the nautical tourism in Fiji.
“We are proud to have supported this PPP model which has successfully unlocked Yasawa-i-rara as a cruise ship destination and we look forward to other potential island destinations being mapped to promote more geographic inclusion and livelihood opportunities for cruise tourism in Fiji,” she said.
The Fiji Navy has partnered with Market Development Facility (MDF), an Australian government funded organisation and Kenua Fiji yesterday to hand over the hydrographic survey results of the Yasawa-i-rara island anchorage.
The Australian High Commissioner to Fiji John Feakes said this partnership would enable in time an estimate of 24 months or sooner for cruise ships to begin visiting the area.
“Our hope is the local community will benefit from this economically,” he said.
According to a statement issued by MDF Mr Feakes was pleased to be able to broker this innovative partnership between the Fiji Navy and Kenua Fiji.
“These new maps will unlock economic activity for remote communities in the Northern Yasawas.
“Supporting tourism activity across the Fiji Islands is a priority for the Fiji Government and I am pleased Australia's aid program is able to support this in tangible ways,” he said.
Kenua Fiji is the largest local cruise ship agent in Fiji according to the statement and is focused in diversifying the products for its cruise line market.
The national operations manager Bradley Bower said the cruise ship visits had largely been limited to the traditional ports which were around the main island while having only one island stop-off which was at Kadavu.
“The updated hydrographic map will re-open the Yasawa-i-rara anchorage, allowing cruise ships to revisit Yasawa-i-rara,” he said.
“Cruise stops in remote island communities will bring muchneeded economic benefits.
“As a result of this particular partnership, six communities in the Yasawa-i-rara will benefit from additional income through landing fees and sales of handicrafts,” he added.
The Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) between Fiji Navy which according to the statement was responsible for hydrographic mapping in Fiji was undertaken over a three-week period in August this year.
MDF Fiji country director, Victoria Carter, said the organisation was aiming to support the Fijian Government's 2021 Tourism Development Plan in a few areas.
These included the development of improved nautical charts in prospect of growing the nautical tourism in Fiji.
“We are proud to have supported this PPP model which has successfully unlocked Yasawa-i-rara as a cruise ship destination and we look forward to other potential island destinations being mapped to promote more geographic inclusion and livelihood opportunities for cruise tourism in Fiji,” she said.