Lecture Notes: Product and Experience Development in Tourism

Introduction by Moderator: Judition

• Importance of well-planned tourism product and experience.
• Key focus on innovation, resources shaping, and global market visibility.
• Session includes professional panel discussion on constraints and successes in tourism development.
• Structure: 1-hour panel discussion, 1-hour Q&A.

Panelists Introduction

• Beatrice Nast: President, Society of Travel Associates.
• Lee Howard: Chief Operating Officer, Tourism Fiji.
• James Suwane: Managing Director, TeWaka Fiji.
• Jay White: Managing Director, Sigatoka River Safari.
• Lara Book and Leon: Nukumbati Private Island and Great Sea Reef Divers.

Panel Discussion

Beatrice Nast's Presentation

• Focus: Lessons from Fiji’s tourism development.
• Importance of building resilient and quality-focused industry.
• Challenges in infrastructure and local engagement.
• Promoting Fiji’s unique characteristics like rural and sports tourism.
• Importance of sustainable tourism and support for small enterprises.

Lee Howard's Presentation

• Focus: Tourism Fiji's product and experience development.
• Strategies include diversifying activities and improving existing attractions.
• Importance of sustainability and stakeholder collaboration.
• Challenges: Infrastructure, seasonality, competition, environmental concerns.
• Upcoming focus on destination development and sustainability.

James Suwane's Presentation

• Focus: Conference and incentives market development.
• Insights from personal experiences in community partnership.
• Challenges in community engagement and maintaining sustainable operations.
• Importance of education and community support projects.

Jay White's Presentation

• Focus: Experiential tourism and cultural connections.
• Successful partnerships with local villages for tourism ventures.
• Importance of sustainable and community benefiting tourism models.

Lara and Leon's Presentation

• Focus: Opportunities in eco-tourism in Madawata.
• Challenges of infrastructure, transport, and communication in Vanua Levu.
• Nukumbati’s self-sufficiency model as a sustainable tourism example.

Q&A Session Highlights

• Discussion on standards for accommodation and tours.
• Insights into community capacity building and government role.
• Importance of a clear business model and cooperative development.
• Encouragement of digital engagement through platforms like Facebook for visibility.

Closing Notes

• Upcoming session details: Wednesday, March 1st, on CFC 3.0.
• Gratitude expressed to panelists and participants for their time and contributions.

Key Takeaways

• Successful tourism development requires innovation, stakeholder collaboration, and sustainable practices.
• Addressing infrastructure and communication gaps is crucial for furthering tourism development in less accessible regions like Madawata.
• Communication and collaboration between tourists, local communities, and government bodies are essential for a cohesive tourism framework.