You can find white sandy beaches, palm tree-lined shores, crystal clear waters and sunny
blue skies at several places in the world, but not if you think of combining
that with the happy, warm and hospitable vibes of the locals.
That’s available in Fiji in galore, where
the “Bula” greeting instantly makes you feel welcome and at home. Based on
that, the island nation is calling out for more Indians to come calling. Faiyaz
Koya, the country’s Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism is hopeful that
with the appointment of Bollywood actress Ileana D’Cruz as Tourism Fiji’s brand
ambassador in India, there will be a rise in visitors from the country. India
and Fiji, he said, share a long-standing relationship of celebrating cultural
diversity and common values. “Fiji and India share a deep historical bond and
our Prime Minister has met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi many times to
discuss ways in which we can continue to work closely together,” Koya said.
As Koya pointed out, the confluence of
culture in Fiji – a tapestry of indigenous Fijian, Indian, European, Chinese
and other nationalities – has created a unique national identity. To sample
this, tourists are coming in from all over the world, especially from closer
destinations like Australia and New Zealand.
For travellers coming in from India, it’s a long, arduous
journey – nothing less than a day. But the bonhomie of live Fijian music while
you wait for your turn at the immigration line at the Nadi airport takes the
exhaustion away. Koya admits “proximity and competition from cheaper
destinations” continue to be key challenges in boosting tourism from India. But
while the national carrier Fiji Airways has made travel out of Asia easier by
opening up direct flights to Singapore, he said the Indian market has seen a
steady increase, at an average growth of 13 per cent over the last 5 years.
Koya said Fiji is open to investment in its tourism industry and that they are
very keen to have some of the top Indian brands set up there.
Fiji is a natural haven. “In Fiji, No hurry, No worry,” the
locals will tell you, reminding you there’s a life beyond deadlines and
sticking to time-tables. You learn to breathe, to soak in the scenes, including
the calmness of the sea, the soothing lush green landscapes, the beauty of the
blue sky, the splashing waves and even the eerie sound of stridulating crickets
at night when a blanket of stars in the sky is enough for company. For the more
adventurous travellers, the archipelagic state has experiences galore on sea,
underwater, land and air.
For someone who doesn’t even know how to swim too well, the
Fijian waters tempt you to forget the fears and take a plunge. A look at the
Split Rock – considered the best snorkelling spot in Savusavu Bay – can leave
you asking for more views of marine life, especially if it’s your first time.
As for daring options, there’s a shark dive in Pacific Harbour and sky diving
opportunities too.
Interestingly, there are a plethora of eco-friendly resorts that
help create sustainable tourism benefiting the environment apart from the
country’s economy. Guests can take part in conservation programmes like coral
planting which help leave the environment in a better condition and make a
difference.
Some resorts in Fiji are as big as a small town. In Pacific
Harbour, there’s the world-renowned Nanuku Resort, where a villa is no less
than a dream house. In Savusavu, the Namale Resort and Spa, which attracts the
best names from Hollywood and the fashion world, is spread across 525 acres of
tropical beauty in the northern island of Vanua Levu. You can trek to a
waterfall and enjoy a picnic here or kayak away.
For
those who want to enjoy a truly tropical lifestyle, the Savasi Island Resort,
also in Vanua Levu, gives you complete privacy with rooms and villas tucked in
a dense jungle. – Agencies
