Villages in Macuata

from w
Before the Labasa tourism guys start to think of promoting Vuo and Naduri they need to identify what tourists coming on these boats really want? and where they've been in other days on the cruise e.g. Savusavu, an island or two. Do they want to go shopping, see Indian culture, visit a village? There may be a prettier village near Savusavu. Naduri also is rather far away from Malau where the tourist boat will be. Vuo is close of course but it's not your 'idealised' bures around a splendid green as in the old postcards. However the people of Vuo, especially Tui Mali, are very used to visitors as they were host to the tribewanted eco-tourism project on Vorovoro Island for a few years and many of those visitors came to Vuo as they established a relationship with Tui Mali and the workers at Vorovoro.

About Naduri village - Do tourists really want to see a site of old posts of the chief's bure with a dramatic story of the past, as at Naduri? We've been told one version of the building of it by a senior gentleman from Naseakula, Sakaria, who has now passed on, but I wonder if ordinary tourists would be interested. However the people of Naduri and Seaqaqa nearby do splendid mekes and ceremonies - (several stories on this blog about these) and also their advocacy for keeping the Great Sea Reef healthy and also saving the turtles would be a point of interest.

I think a picnic in a good park in Labasa town with stalls might be better. What about Naseakula village - there's no mention of that. And no mention of Mali Island and Vorovoro, a short boat trip away, but of course tourists might be worried about getting back on time.
from Fiji Times today:
Village groups to promote culture
Serafina Silaitoga
Monday, February 20, 2012
VILLAGE tourism committees have been formed to enhance the promotion of the Fijian culture in tourism.

Labasa Tourism Committee president Paul Jaduram said Vuo and Naduri villages in the province of Macuata were the first to set up the committees.

"We have just formed a committee in the village of Vuo and we discussed some areas they need to beautify in the village for our tourists.

"The village committee will have to put up some items that identify the Fijian culture and they can organise other activities such as weaving of mats and meke," Mr Jaduram said.

He said the next cruise liner would arrive in April.

"We have chosen Vuo because it was the first establishment of workforce in Labasa with the hospital built there.

"At that time there was no Labasa town and not much developments had taken place so a bit of a history for our visitors would be good," Mr Jaduram said.

He said a clean up program in Naduri Village had begun.

"I have spoken with the Tui Macuata Ratu Aisea Katonivere and he informed me that they are cleaning up the area and would do more work in the village before we can take our visitors there," Mr Jaduram said.

What is there for tourists in Labasa?

from w
We've been discussing what the Labasa area can offer to tourists, especially the day-trippers from visiting ships and we are trying to assess what would be good programs/locations for just a few hours - besides shopping in the town. There's Wasavulu stones and its cultural history (though now there are houses there and I think stones have been moved about), the Hindu snake temple at Matailabasa with the stories of the growing stone, there's the hot water sites, a picnic on Vorovoro Island, there are working sugar-cane farms, and so on. It has been suggested that a visit to Naduri as a cultural tour - the remains of the old chiefly bure - but Naduri is a bit far away. Certainly the men from Seaqaqa can dance though! The floating island at Nubu is rather far away. Anyway, the Labasa Tourism committee are working on it all. Once upon a time we had a little eco-tourism place at Nukutatava but that was a long time ago. There are Labasa stories on the internet which give a few clues about what is interesting in the Labasa region such as this one - during 2011. http://exploringdreamingdiscoveringfiji.blogspot.com/2011/08/life-in-labasa.html and I think connecting with people is the most important thing for tourists - meet up with a real family or go to a primary school and interact with the children.

from Fiji Sun (they have journos in Labasa often with stories - which is better than the spin and handouts that pepper that particular paper.

Labasa Tourism Association focuses on 2012, cruise boats
December 29, 2011 | Filed under: Fiji News | Posted by: newsroom
By SHRATIKA NAIDU

The Labasa Tourism Association has vouched to focus on pushing for infrastructure improvement for the year 2012 in order to attract more cruise liners to Macuata.
The association believes that Government’s plan to build an international port of entry near Tabia called the Middle Point, which is about 20 minutes drive from Labasa Town would be the major development opening doors for more cruise liners.

Labasa Tourism Association president Paul Jaduram said meanwhile Reef Endeavour, a vessel of Captain Cook Cruises, this year anchored at Malau. “Through this vessel’s four trips to Labasa there was a record of more than 310 tourist arrivals,” Mr Jaduram said. He said during their visits the association found out that there was a need to bring improvement in infrastructure and development of site scene in Macuata.
“During our recent meeting we discussed nine major infrastructure and services that affected our tourism industry in North,” Mr Jaduram said.

1. Very high air fare from Labasa to Suva, Labasa to Nadi and return
2. Lack of international port of entry
3. Construction of bypass road
4. Tarsealing of the road from Dreketi to Nabouwalu
5. Historical sites to be developed with their histories
6. Improvements of side roads in and around Labasa Town
7. Seating facilities around Labasa Town
8. Dredging of the river mouth up to Labasa
9. Upgrading of 'Waiqele Airport terminal building and introducing night landing facilities

He said once these infrastructure falls into place tourists would feel comfortable and would more often choose Labasa as tourist destination. “We have been having continuous discussion with the Commissioner Northern Lieutenant-Colonel Ilai Moceica on developing some site scenes such at the Three Sisters Mountain,” Mr Jaduram said.
He said the association hopes to build an eat-out place for tourists close to the mountain. We have also thought of suggesting tourists to visit Tui Macuata’s chiefly village Naduri where there is still a major historical site scene associated with stories for interest,” Mr Jaduram said.

He said he was also working with the general manager of Fiji Sugar Corporation’s, Labasa Mill Karia Christopher to provide passenger component for tourists to sit in groups and move around Labasa for site scene. “We are very much committed in bringing more tourists to Macuata in particular Labasa to lift the tourism industry,” Mr Jaduram said. He said the association was expecting more than eight tourist vessels and cruise liners to berth in Macuata next year.
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Now, put yourself in the shoes of a visitor to Labasa with a few hours only. Some things they would expect - a place to have good food at reasonable cost, a clean toilet, some culture, some photo opportunities, not get too far away and miss the boat! That means drinks and snacks available at each location visited and a good toilet! So I hope the committee are not just thinking about opportunities to make money - some things are free - smiles, relationships even if just beginning, good will.

Another tour group to Labasa

from w
It does surprise me that tourist boats come to Labasa but hopefully there'll be more than the shops to interest them. There's potential for tourist sites but most of them haven't been set up for the comfort of visitors. One is the Wasavulu stones but there needs to be a signifying marker to explain the stories. Tourists don't want a repetition of just shopping do they? They want something to remember. Anyway the Labasa journo has been busy writing up about the visit. I think Naduri is too far from Malau. A better idea would be short boat ride to Vorovoro Island. And rather than the Sugar mill, why not a visit to a working cane-farm with a cup of lemon-leaf tea and gulagulas?

Chief's home a possible tour site
Maneesha Karan
Monday, December 12, 2011

MORE sites have been identified by the Labasa and Macuata Tourism Association for tourism development. Among the potential sites are the home village of the Tui Macuata at Naduri, says association president Paul Jaduram. "We are looking at developing historical sites in the province which can benefit the tourism sector," he said. "One of the sites identified for development is the village of the Tui Macuata because it is the home of one of our leaders."

Mr Jaduram said other sites planned for development include the Three Sisters Mountain at Batinikama. "These three mountains are very popular and they also have a cave and a Fijian myth behind it which makes the site captivating for tourists and sightseers. We are working with the Native Land Trust Board and the government to develop this mountain site and we plan to build some bure at the foot of the hill for visitor use."

Another site being eyed for development is the Waiqele hot springs.

"We need to create many more sites to attract tourists - it will create a sense of adventure and thrill for visitors," he said.

Survey to uplift tourism activity in the North
Maneesha Karan
Monday, December 12, 2011

AN academic has shown interest in boosting the tourism industry in the Northern Division by carrying out a survey of tourists visiting Labasa. The survey is being conducted by the USP's School of Tourism and Hospitality Management lecturer Dr Stephen Pratt, who was among the members of Labasa and Macuata Tourism Association to welcome tourists from Captain Cook Cruises at Malau on Friday.

Dr Pratt said the survey was a measure undertaken by the USP to help the various economies in Fiji. "USP is trying to help local economies by providing its expertise and through education," he said. "Labasa has lots of tourism resources and this place has a lot of potential to grow and expand in terms of tourism. We would not like to just participate in the tourism activities but also help develop and expand it in the North."

A questionnaire will be distributed to tourists on Captain Cook Cruises, which they would be expected to fill out during their tour of the North and have it returned to Dr Pratt. The data from the questionnaire will then be analysed and results distributed to the Labasa and Macuata Tourism Association.

"The survey would help ensure tourists to the North get an authentic and enjoyable trip of the North," said Dr Pratt.

Association president Paul Jaduram applauded the academic's interest.