The Impact of Ecotourism Expansion on Biodiversity Conservation and Indigenous Cultural Heritage in Fiji

Authors

  • Ravinesh Rohit Prasad Fiji National University
  • Shivneel Kumar Fiji National University
  • Fajar Rachman Adji University of Southern California
  • Kumar Shubham Jawaharlal Nehru University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30631/sdgs.52.3383

Keywords:

Tourism, Culture, Ecotourism, Indigenous Cultural Heritage

Abstract

This research examines how the ecotourism expansion in Fiji affects biodiversity conservation and Indigenous cultural heritage. The growth of ecotourism has led to major changes in the tourism sector. It significantly impacts the country's biodiversity conservation and indigenous cultural heritage. This research used a literature review approach, collecting and analyzing secondary data from various relevant sources at each stage of the research. The findings reveal a complex interconnection between economic interests and cultural dynamics, shaping Fiji's ecotourism practices and management. While ecotourism initiatives have emphasized preserving the natural environment and the promotion of indigenous cultural heritage, concern has emerged regarding the negative impacts on the fragile ecosystem and the exploitation of cultural resources for commercial gain. This research provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with ecotourism expansion in Fiji, ensuring sustainable development and the protection of biodiversity and cultural heritage.

References

Becken, S., & Hay, J. E. (2007). Tourism and Climate Change. Multilingual Matters. https://doi.org/10.21832/9781845410681

Brodie, G., Pikacha, P., & Tuiwawa, M. (2013). Biodiversity and Conservation in the Pacific Islands: Why Are We Not Succeeding? In Conservation Biology (pp. 181–187). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118679838.ch21

Dean, M. R. U. (2024). Blending the Old Backbone with the New Economic Strength: Sugar Industry and the Tourism Sector in Fiji. In Springer International Handbooks of Education: Vol. Part F3475 (pp. 535–554). Springer Nature. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-4318-6_32

Doorne, S. (2017). Bridging the Global–Local Divide: Lessons from Indigenous Entrepreneurship on Vatulele Island, Fiji. In Tourism and Entrepreneurship: International Perspectives (pp. 203–222). Taylor & Francis. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780080942728-14

Farrelly, T. A. (2009). Business va’avanua: Cultural hybridisation and Indigenous entrepreneurship in the Bouma National Heritage Park, Fiji (Doctoral dissertation). Massey University. http://hdl.handle.net/10179/1166

Green, A., Lokani, P., Atu, W., Ramohia, P., Thomas, P., & Almany, J. (2009). Solomon Islands Marine Assessment: Technical report of survey conducted May 13 to June 17, 2004. The Nature Conservancy.

Kesavan, V., & Polisetty, A. (2025). A holistic view of ecotourism and the different ways of applying technology to drive ecotourism towards sustainable development. In Navigating Mass Tourism to Island Destinations: Preservation and Cultural Heritage Challenges (pp. 1–35). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-9107-5.ch001

Kiss, A. (2004). Is community-based ecotourism a good use of biodiversity conservation funds? Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 19(5), 232-237. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2004.03.010

Lockington, F. (2023a). Fiji’s sustainable tourism evolution: Navigating a path forward. The Fiji Times. https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/fijis-sustainable-tourism-evolution-navigating-a-path-forward/

Lockington, F. (2023b). Proudly local and prosperously global:Fiji’s path to sustainable tourism. The Fiji Times. https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/proudly-local-and-prosperously-global-fijis-path-to-sustainable-tourism/

Lowman, M. D. (2004). Ecotourism and the treetops. In Forest Canopies: (2nd ed. pp. 475–485). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-012457553-0/50032-0

Mangubhai, S., Sykes, H., Lovell, E., Brodie, G., Jupiter, S., Morris, C., Lee, S., Loganimoce, E. M., Rashni, B., Lal, R., Nand, Y., & Qauqau, I. (2018). Fiji: Coastal and marine ecosystems. In World Seas: An Environmental Evaluation Volume II: The Indian Ocean to the Pacific (pp. 765–792). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-100853-9.00044-0

Martins, F. S., & Martins, F. S. (2018). Secondary Data in Research – Uses and Opportunities. Internasional Journal of eSports Management, 17(4). https://doi.org/10.5585/ijsm.v17i4.2723

McKeon, M. G., & Drew, J. A. (2019). Community dynamics in Fijian coral reef fish communities vary with conservation and shark-based tourism. Pacific Conservation Biology, 25(4), 363–369. https://doi.org/10.1071/PC18045

Ministry of Trade, Co-operatives, Small and Medium Enterprises. (2021). Fijian Tourism 2021. Republic of Fiji. https://www.mcttt.gov.fj/division/tourism/fijian-tourism-2021/

Republic of Fiji. (2023). Budget estimates 2023-2024. https://www.parliament.gov.fj/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Budget_2023-2024.pdf

Republic of Fiji. (2024). Fiji National Development Plan. https://www.finance.gov.fj

Schafer, N. (2024). Eco-tourism in Fiji: Sustainable Travel and conservation. Far and Away Adventures. https://farandawayadventures.com/eco-tourism-in-fiji-sustainable-travel-and-conservation/?form=MG0AV3

Zaei, M. E., & Zaei, M. E. (2013). The impacts of tourism industry on host community. European journal of Tourism, Hospitality and Research, 1(2), 12-21.

Downloads

Published

2025-12-03

How to Cite

The Impact of Ecotourism Expansion on Biodiversity Conservation and Indigenous Cultural Heritage in Fiji. (2025). Sustainability (STPP) Theory, Practice and Policy, 5(2), 146-156. https://doi.org/10.30631/sdgs.52.3383