Fiji Tourism Development Program in Vanua Levu

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The Project is Phase I of a multiphase programmatic approach (MPA). The MPA is a comprehensive 3-phase tourism development program in Vanua Levu that will support the realization of Fiji’s national development, private sector growth, and green growth plans. The program has two main aims: a) to improve the resilience and sustainability of the tourism industry, including short-term recovery and longer-term diversification and high-value growth; and b) to facilitate the execution of existing Government plans. Phase I will set the foundations for sustainable tourism in Vanua Levu. It will directly tackle the major barriers to tourism growth, namely, the insufficient transport infrastructure and essential services, uncoordinated plans and institutions, and a cumbersome business environment. Phase I investments will identify and rollout: a) the upgrade of key infrastructure (for example, improving the configuration, coordination, and safety at Savusavu and Labasa airports) and selective no-regret investments in essential facilities (such as solid waste management, wastewater treatment, medical clinics, and renewable energy); b) support tourism master planning, sector and destination coordination activities, tourism MSME recovery and expansion to enhance services and products, access to finance, and skills development, particularly targeting women and youth, piloting public private partnership (PPP) approaches for further roll out; and c) institutional capacity building to support deeper engagements in subsequent phases.Phase II will put physical and social capital infrastructure in place, building on findings from the feasibility studies and Integrated Tourism Master Plan (IITMP) in Phase I to support viable and critical mid-size investments in infrastructure and essential services, especially to open new areas for tourism investment; deepen and expand tourism sector and destination coordination and institutionalize skills training, destination awareness, and access to finance for tourism private sector development and product development. It will scale up successful interim interventions and potentially make them permanent. Phase III will support the full rollout of the investments, coordination mechanisms and policy reforms identified in the sustainable tourism master plan. It will continue institutionalizing sector coordination and facilitating sustainable financing for tourism products to consolidate sector gains and growth. Building on the previous two Phases, this final Phase will see more longer-term outcomes, such as improved infrastructure connectivity, increased tourism revenue and tourism-related jobs, and increased community benefits from integrated tourism development in Vanua Levu.This A-ESRS considers the environmental and social risks associated with Phase I only.