State funding for Fiji International Golf tournament ‘money well spent’
Fiji tourism minister Faiyaz Koya has defended the decision to pump $12 million of public funds into the recent Fiji International Golf tournament at Natadola Bay, saying it was money well spent.
He said the $12 million spent was minimal compared to the economic impact of the event and added tourist arrivals, and the international media coverage it attracted.
Koya, who is also industry and trade minister, said the 2015 event will be even bigger and better as it has been moved to October to take advantage of a less crowded golf schedule in Asia and Australasia.
Alongside Koya announcing details of next year’s event, tournament promoter Basil Scaffidi said all areas of tourism in Fiji will reap the benefits.
"The world now knows that Fiji is a genuine golfing destination. Golf tourism has the proven ability to attract a broad range of markets from golfing holidays, conferences, events and incentive groups," he said.
"The benefits are not limited to the tournament week only, it extends year round. The Fiji International is the platform used to generate mass exposure for Fiji to leverage a slice of the estimated US$2billion worldwide golf tourism industry," added Scaffidi.
Organizers are hoping to lure more top tier golfers to next year’s event and expect former world no1 and local hero Vijay Singh to compete again in 2015.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt