The Bula team over at Tourism Fiji have announced the dates for their first-ever Virtual Fijian Tourism Expo, better known as FTE taking place next week on 25 November 2020.

Traditionally, FTE is an annual F2F event that brings international buyers and sellers together to do business in Fiji, but with border closure, Tourism Fiji says that staging a physical event was impossible for 2020.

So, they have created a virtual event for their Australian and New Zealand markets, bringing together around 51 international buyers and around 80 Fiji industry partners for virtual appointments and presentations.

The Honourable Faiyaz Siddiq Koya, the Fiji Government’s Minister for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport said, “FTE is such an important event for Fiji’s tourism industry, it always has been and while we would have loved everyone to experience the Fijian tourism hospitality first-hand, I’m thrilled the event will still go ahead, be it virtually,” and “I look forward to updating all the delegates then on Fiji’s response to the pandemic and our journey to recovery.”

Tourism Fiji says at the Virtual FTE, delegates will also get an update on how Fiji’s tourism industry “Is Ready” for borders to be reopened with presentations from Tourism Fiji on the destination’s Care Fiji Commitment, a nation-wide programme to align the industry with Fiji Government’s COVID-safe Guidelines, as well as its exciting re-entry plans for its Australian and New Zealand markets.

Andre Viljoen, Chair of Tourism Fiji said, “An unprecedented challenge needs an unprecedented solution and that is just what Tourism Fiji has prepared through our Four Stage Re-entry Plan.” “It’s a comprehensive plan to ensure we re-enter our markets effectively and to achieve this, the organisation has its biggest ever consumer and trade campaign planned for Australia and New Zealand that will let everyone know, when it is time that Fiji is open once again”.

Tourism Fiji added that the Virtual FTE, the Event’s Platinum Sponsor, Fiji Airways, will present the innovative Recovery Rebate Package Programme (RRP) that was announced by the Fijian Government to ensure that there are attractive packages in place for the destination’s re-entry into its international markets, with Akuila Batiweti, Fiji Airways’ Executive General Manager saying, “The Government’s Recovery Rebate Package Programme provides a never seen before F$60 million stipend to support our industry deliver enticing packages when our borders reopen”, adding, “These packages are available to those flying on Fiji Airways and through this incentive, we are confident we can lead the rebound of our tourism industry and spur Fiji’s economic recovery.”

Tourism Fiji also said that with never a more critical time for Fiji’s tourism industry, Virtual FTE 2020 will demonstrate to Fiji’s international trade partners that the destination is more than prepared for when the time comes for international travel to recommence to Fiji.

For more information on the event, please contact the Tourism Fiji team by emailing events@tourismfiji.com.fj

Written by: John Alwyn-Jones

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