Tourism Sector and Hospitality Operations Management

Question: Discuss about the Tourism Sector and Hospitality Operations Management. Answer: Introduction This study aims to critically analyze the development of the tourism industry or business in Fiji. During this study, the focus is made on the analysis of physical and human geography in Fiji and at the same time, it also critically analyzes the pattern of tourism flow in that place. Along with that, the study also tries to analyze the factors that influence the tourism development in Fiji and the implications for the future tourism in Fiji. Critically analyzing the physical and human geography in Fiji Fiji is the group of 322 islands, situated in South Pacific region of New Zealand. The area is one of the less populated areas in New Zealand. Statistics shows that only 1/3rd of the total area have population (Fijisun.com 2016). The islands in Fiji are the volcanic island. The climate of the place is warm and the temperature of the place moves between 31C to 26C. The human geography in Fiji depends highly on the forestry. The people in the less dry areas of that place suffer from tropical diseases (Fijisun.com 2016). The people in Fiji are also dependent on mining, agriculture and fishing. Critically analyzing the pattern of tourism flow Maximum percentage of population in Fiji is depended on the tourism industry. The wonderful natural view in the islands makes Fiji the most preferred place to the tourists. The national statistics shows that between 2002 to 2012, the number of tourists in Fiji has increased from 397859 to 660590 (Fijisun.com 2016). This indicates many improvements in the Fijis tourism industry. At the same time, this industry is growing currently and the growth rate is 6.3% per year (Fijisun.com 2016). This particular industry is the biggest GDP source for the country and due to that the investment in this particular industry is increasing day by day. The highest numbers of tourists come to visit Fiji from Australia. The statistics shows that approximately 51% of the total numbers of tourists in Fiji come from Australia (Kaufmann and Nakagawa 2015). Factors that have influenced the tourism development in Fiji There are mainly three factors that have influenced the development of the tourism sector in Fiji. These three factors are the advanced infrastructure in Fiji, the natural view or attraction in Fiji and the political stability in Fiji. These factors are discussed below: Infrastructure: This is one of the most important factors that influenced the development of tourism industry in Fiji. Fiji has advanced infrastructure that has helped in rapid growth of the industry. Currently, total eight airlines are connected to Fiji. Due to this, Fiji attracts huge number of tourists in each year (Gibson 2015). The transportation in Fiji is well developed, which makes the tours of the visitors easier. The Islands in Fiji are well connected with the main cities in New Zealand and with the other countries. At the same time, Fiji is also improved in context of information technology and availability of power and other resources (Pratt and Harrison 2015). Natural attraction: Nature is the main attraction in Fiji. The islands in Fiji are overlapped with natural beauty. There are many places, which attract the people towards Fiji. Some of these places are Blue Lagoon Cruise, Bouma National Heritage Park, Beqa Lagoon, Navua River and Great Astrolabe Reef. Each of these places has different natural views. Some of the places have full of greenery, whereas some of the places have the wonderful view of Sea beach (Pratt and Harrison 2015). However, each place in Fiji has fresh air and the level of pollution is much low, which has also contributed towards the development of the tourism sector. Political stability: The political condition in Fiji is much stable than the other areas in New Zealand. Though, during 2006 to 2013, there were some political problems, in 2014, Fiji recovered the situation. Moreover, in Fiji, the possibility of political violence or terrorism is less. As the government of Fiji is decentralized, no such internal conflict takes place in this place, which helps Fiji in maintaining peace (Kanemasu 2015). This is another factor that has influenced the development of tourism sector. Discussing the future of tourism sector in Fiji The current situation of the tourism sector in Fiji is much improved. However, the issue of climate change and rising sea levels can affect the tourism sector of Fiji in the coming years (Who.int 2016). Due to the increase in temperature, the sea levels are also rising and it is expected that in near future, the increasing sea level will destroy the natural view of the islands. However, the government of the country is trying to maintain the smoothing atmosphere in Fiji (Pratt and Harrison 2015). The government is trying to reduce the pollution level in Fiji, so that the climate can be maintained. On the other side, the sustainable practices of the tourism sector have helped to maintain the development of this particular sector (Gibson 2015). The hotels and tourism companies are very much conscious about maintaining each of the rules and regulations in the industry. At the same time, the tourism companies are also very specific in providing each possible facility to the tourists (Kaufmann and Nakagawa 2015). These have helped to attract more tourists in Fiji. If the tourism companies and the government work together, then it is possible to control negative effects of climate change. Conclusion In this study, it has been identified that Fiji is one of the most attractive tourism place in New Zealand and in the world. Fiji has several places, which are very beautiful and attract the tourists. The flow of tourism is much high in Fiji and in last ten years, the tourism sector in Fiji has much developed. The advanced infrastructure, extra ordinary natural view and political stability in Fiji helped in the development of tourism sector. Though the recent change in the climate is creating major issue in the tourism sector, the sustainable activities of the tourism companies will support the future growth of this sector. Reference list: Fijisun.com.fj. 2016. Fiji Sun | Leading Fiji newspaper for Fiji News, Sport and Pacific news. [online] Available at: https://fijisun.com.fj/ [Accessed 27 Dec. 2016]. Gibson, D., 2015. 7 Community-based tourism in Fiji.Tourism in Pacific Islands: Current Issues and Future Challenges,48, p.118. Kanemasu, Y., 2015. 4 Fiji tourism half a century on.Tourism in Pacific Islands: Current Issues and Future Challenges,48, p.63. Kaufmann, U. and Nakagawa, H., 2015. 12 Recent developments and changes in demand for tourism in Fiji.Tourism in Pacific Islands: Current Issues and Future Challenges,48, p.196. Pratt, S. and Harrison, D. eds., 2015.Tourism in Pacific Islands: Current Issues and Future Challenges(Vol. 48). Routledge. Who.int. 2016. World Health Organization. [online] Available at: https://www.who.int/ [Accessed 27 Dec. 2016].