Fiji bets big on surfing potential
The Fiji government has announced a new decree aimed at making the country a hub for water and marine activities while preserving its pristine environment, according to a media release issued by the government.
The decree, called Regulation of Surfing Areas Decree 2010 includes the previously announced Super Yacht Decree and ties in with the government’s plans toward liberalisation of the coastal trading licence regime, the reduction in duty rates on marine vessels, yachts and jet skis.
The move is expected to create a job-generating marine industry contributing to economic growth. The surfing industry is a global US$10 billion business and Fiji has long been known in surfing circles as home to some world class breaks.
People in Fiji now get access to and the use of any surfing area in the country by virtue of the decree. Individuals or groups may now access and use any surfing area in Fiji for the purposes of surfing or any water sport, without having to obtain any permit or approval from any person and without the payment of any compensation to any person or agency.
It effectively prohibits the exclusive use of any surfing area by any person or organisation.
Previously, several surfing areas in Fiji were exclusively licensed to a couple of hotel operators, which tended to deprive other tourists and Fijians from accessing and using these surfing areas. There have been numerous reports of tourists and Fijian surfers being physically and violently harassed and assaulted for surfing at these exclusive surfing areas.
The free access and use of all surfing areas in Fiji to all tourists and Fijians provides opportunities for all Fijians including i taukei landowners in the proximity of these surfing areas to profit directly and indirectly by way of engaging in businesses themselves – as opposed to relying on handouts from hotel operators who charge premium rates.
The government expects the move to bring in 20,000 additional tourists particularly to the outer islands like Lau and Kadavu that are renowned for their surf breaks. It opens opportunities for locals to launch into business as surf-tour operators, life savers, build and operate surfing-specialised hotels, backpacker resorts, and home stays, the media release says.
“The opening up of surfing areas aims at developing youth surfers to compete on the professional world surfing (ASP) tour which comprises ten events around the world,” Attorney General Aiyaz Saiyed Khaiyum who is also Minister of Tourism said. The Fiji government is supportive of international tour events resuming in Fiji, through the Fiji Surfing Association and its affiliates.
Through the decree, the government hopes to encourage the private sector and microfinance investments in the country’s fledging surfing business and realise its full potential that has hitherto seen initiatives languish.
The decree comes into effect on July 9, after the Presdient’s assent on July 2 and supersedes all existing licence or instruments of title issued in relation to any surfing area, vesting all powers in the office of the Director of Lands.
The Fiji government has announced a new decree aimed at making the country a hub for water and marine activities while preserving its pristine environment, according to a media release issued by the government.
The decree, called Regulation of Surfing Areas Decree 2010 includes the previously...
The Fiji government has announced a new decree aimed at making the country a hub for water and marine activities while preserving its pristine environment, according to a media release issued by the government.
The decree, called Regulation of Surfing Areas Decree 2010 includes the previously announced Super Yacht Decree and ties in with the government’s plans toward liberalisation of the coastal trading licence regime, the reduction in duty rates on marine vessels, yachts and jet skis.
The move is expected to create a job-generating marine industry contributing to economic growth. The surfing industry is a global US$10 billion business and Fiji has long been known in surfing circles as home to some world class breaks.
People in Fiji now get access to and the use of any surfing area in the country by virtue of the decree. Individuals or groups may now access and use any surfing area in Fiji for the purposes of surfing or any water sport, without having to obtain any permit or approval from any person and without the payment of any compensation to any person or agency.
It effectively prohibits the exclusive use of any surfing area by any person or organisation.
Previously, several surfing areas in Fiji were exclusively licensed to a couple of hotel operators, which tended to deprive other tourists and Fijians from accessing and using these surfing areas. There have been numerous reports of tourists and Fijian surfers being physically and violently harassed and assaulted for surfing at these exclusive surfing areas.
The free access and use of all surfing areas in Fiji to all tourists and Fijians provides opportunities for all Fijians including i taukei landowners in the proximity of these surfing areas to profit directly and indirectly by way of engaging in businesses themselves – as opposed to relying on handouts from hotel operators who charge premium rates.
The government expects the move to bring in 20,000 additional tourists particularly to the outer islands like Lau and Kadavu that are renowned for their surf breaks. It opens opportunities for locals to launch into business as surf-tour operators, life savers, build and operate surfing-specialised hotels, backpacker resorts, and home stays, the media release says.
“The opening up of surfing areas aims at developing youth surfers to compete on the professional world surfing (ASP) tour which comprises ten events around the world,” Attorney General Aiyaz Saiyed Khaiyum who is also Minister of Tourism said. The Fiji government is supportive of international tour events resuming in Fiji, through the Fiji Surfing Association and its affiliates.
Through the decree, the government hopes to encourage the private sector and microfinance investments in the country’s fledging surfing business and realise its full potential that has hitherto seen initiatives languish.
The decree comes into effect on July 9, after the Presdient’s assent on July 2 and supersedes all existing licence or instruments of title issued in relation to any surfing area, vesting all powers in the office of the Director of Lands.
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