Fiji Tourism Development Program in Vanua Levu
Project ID: PRJ-005510
Project Details
Project Information
Description
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.
Objectives
To strengthen targeted infrastructure and essential services, increase coordination and private sector participation in tourism, and enhance environmental sustainability of tourism assets.
The Program Development Objective (PrDO) of this MPA is to develop resilient and sustainable tourism infrastructure and services in Vanua Levu.
Expected Outputs
Under phase 1 of the project the current key components and output:
Project Investment Project Financing (IPF) Components 4. Phase I includes three integrated components:
Component 1: Overcoming Barriers and Developing Sustainable Tourism
- Subcomponent 1a): Integrated Tourism Master Planning and Destination Development
- Subcomponent 1b): Tourism MSME Recovery, Expansion & Skills Development
- Subcomponent 1c) Strengthening Natural Resource Management and Biodiversity Conservation
- Subcomponent 1d) Emergency Management and Preparedness for Tourism
Component 2: Building Resilient Tourism Infrastructure
- Subcomponent 2a) Connectivity Infrastructure Investments
- Subcomponent 2b) Resilient essential facilities and services investments
- Subcomponent 2c) Cityscape Improvement of Savusavu and Labasa
Component 3: Tourism Capacity Enhancement and Project Management
Subcomponent 3a): Institutional strengthening and capacity building
- Subcomponent 3b): project management
Gender Relevant Information
The project includes gender-disaggregated indicators to ensure women’s participation and benefits:
• 30 women-owned cultural industry enterprises supported to gain new or increased sales.
• 75% of tourism MSMEs (disaggregated by gender) expected to be satisfied with project support.
• User satisfaction with services tracked separately for males and females.
• A Gender Specialist Consultant was hired for gender analysis and gender-based reporting
Achievements
Status 06/2025:
• Establishment of the Central Project Management Unit (CPMU) under the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MTCA) to coordinate all implementing agencies and technical partners
• Improved coordination among FRA, Fiji Airports, Savusavu Town Council, and MTCA, ensuring smoother execution and oversight
• Designs finalized for Savusavu and Labasa Domestic Airport upgrades (terminals, pavements, parking, and navigation systems).
• Road safety and climate resilience features being installed along the Labasa–Savusavu Cross Island Road, improving connectivity for both residents and tourists
• Development underway for Savusavu Solid Waste Management Facility and a pilot sewerage treatment plant - a major step toward sustainable waste and water management.
• Waisali Forest Reserve rehabilitation and creation of Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMAs) to improve biodiversity conservation
• Technical assistance initiated toward UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status for Natewa Bay, a milestone for eco-tourism and conservation
• Launch of Tourism MSME Support Programs to strengthen local businesses and community-based tourism on Vanua Levu and Taveuni.
• Gender-specific initiatives supporting 30 women-owned enterprises to expand or gain new sales
Additional Information
• Donor: International Development Association (IDA)
• Funding Commitment: USD 61,500,000.00 under phase 1 are divided into 3 components:
• Component 1: Overcoming Barriers and Developing Sustainable Tourism to USD 12,450,000.00
• Component 2: Building Resilient Tourism Infrastructure USD 40,050,000.00
• Component 3: Tourism Capacity Enhancement and Project Management USD 9,000,000.00
First phase of a 10-year, 3-phase program:
Phase 1: Setting foundational framework and implementing demonstration programs runs from year 1 to year 6.
Phase 2: Putting physical and social capital infrastructure in place (IDA: USD 70,000,000.00) will tentatively run from year 3 to year 8 (depending on progress and performance of the first phase).
Phase 3: Full rollout of sustainable tourism masterplan (IDA: USD 68,500,000.00) tentatively runs from year 6 to year 10.
Technology Development and Transfer - Specification
• Installation of Automated Weather Observation Systems (AWOS) at both Labasa and Savusavu airports, providing real-time meteorological data and improving flight safety
• Planned use of remote control tower systems through the fiber optic cable network in Savusavu, modernizing Fiji’s domestic aviation communication systems
• Pilot solar installations on public buildings in Savusavu and Labasa to promote clean energy adoption at the municipal level
• Energy Fiji Limited (EFL) supporting feasibility studies to harness Vanua Levu’s renewable potential - solar, hydro, wind, biomass, and geothermal
• Feasibility study for a wastewater treatment system using innovative low-impact technology in Savusavu town center
• ICT enhancements for tourism destination management and marketing through the Tourism Master Plan and data-driven tools supported by Tourism Fiji.
Capacity Building - Specification
• Strengthened institutional capability across MTCA, FRA, WAF, and Savusavu Town Council through targeted technical assistance, training, and staff placement.
• Skills enhancement training for 50 government service providers in sustainable infrastructure and tourism management
• Training on emergency preparedness and disaster management for tourism operators and local authorities (target: 20 people in pilot phase).
• Capacity building for local tourism businesses through business management, product diversification, and marketing training
• Emphasis on community-based tourism and gender inclusion, enabling women and rural communities to participate in the formal tourism value chain.
• Specialized consultant support in procurement, financial management, M&E, and environmental/social risk management for MTCA and implementing agencies
• Development of a Project Operations Manual (POM) and training modules to guide project and stakeholder coordination.
Important Links
| Description | Link | Added Date |
|---|---|---|
| World Bank Project Info: Fiji: Fiji Tourism Development Program in Vanua Levu | https://projects.worldbank.org/en/projects-operations/project-detail/P178694 | 05/01/2024 |
| Fiji Tourism Development Program in Vanua Levu (Na Vualiku Project) [website] | https://navualiku.com/ | 26/10/2025 |
| Fiji's Na Vualiku Project [video] | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nrmu8x6uxac&t=99s | 25/09/2024 |
