Fiji has opened a new eco-tourism destination in Nabalabala Village, Ra Province, aimed at creating new income opportunities for local communities while promoting forest conservation and sustainable tourism.
The Navatuvoka Eco-Tourism and Forest Park was officially launched to support community-led economic development through eco-tourism, handicrafts, guided tours and local food services while protecting the area's biodiversity and cultural heritage.
Fisheries and Forestry Minister Alitia Bainivalu joined traditional leaders and residents to inaugurate the park, describing the initiative as an important step toward balancing environmental conservation with sustainable livelihoods for rural communities.
The park will complement nearby attractions, including the Nabalasere Eco-Tourism Park, as part of a broader effort to attract more visitors to Fiji's interior and expand tourism-driven economic opportunities across the region.
The launch comes as Fiji's tourism industry continues to grow. The country welcomed a record 986,367 international visitors in 2025, and provisional figures show 98,522 visitors arrived in June 2026, the highest number ever recorded for the month of June.
The continued growth highlights strong demand for Fiji as a destination and underscores the government's efforts to diversify tourism beyond coastal resorts by promoting community-based and eco-tourism experiences in rural areas.
Navatuvoka also joins Fiji's growing network of protected forest areas, including Colo-i-Suva, Naduruvatu, Savumoli, Nadarivatu and Dakuinaroba, reinforcing the country's commitment to sustainable forest management, biodiversity conservation and community-led tourism development.
