April 14th 2000
We applaud state plan for Natadola
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It's been a long time coming. Finally, after more than two decades of talking, the Natadola Beach tourism development project is finally beginning to happen. And this is thanks to the courage of Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry. |
In parliament this week, Mr Chaudhry has been trying to convince the country that the government needs to take the leading hand in the development of Natadola as one of the Pacific's premier tourist destinations. To do this, he needed parliamentatry approval for the government to guarantee a loan of $25 million to International Hotels Limited to invest in the project. As he said, being able to do that will "allow government to become the real catalyst in the first phase of (the) multimillion dollar integrated tourism development project in Natadola over the next 10 years".
In doing the Natadola project, the Government is not necessarily moving any advantages away from the established projects like Denarau, in Nadi, and the Outrigger Reef Resort re-development at Korotogo. The Government is doing this to bring to reality a project that has been on the drawing board for nearly a quarter of a century.
Natadola was first mooted at the time Bali was being planned in Indonesia. Both were identified as in a study done by the United Nations Development Programme. But Natadola did not happen because the lack of any Government action. In Indonesia, however, the Government poured resources and money into the development of Bali and turned that wilderness into one of the world's best and most popular tourist destinations.
That Mr Chaudhry has finally decided to do what should have been done 20 years ago is commendable and courageous. All the projections point to Natadola being successful if it receives the full backing of the Government. This backing does not only include being financially involved in the resorts themselves, but it also involves establishing the infrastructural networks like roads, power and water supplies.
With these involvement of the internationally-acclaimed Four Seasons in Natadola will have a snowball effect in attracting tourists and other stakeholders alike. It is projected that it can bring in at least 1000 jobs in its early stages. Through the growth of cottage industries and services, the benefits of Natadola will filter down to an even greater number of people, resulting in a small, vibrant town, which will require accomodation, office and shopping facilities and other services.
The Government's plans for Natadola looks good. It is designed to involve all the stakeholders, especially the landowners. For the country, the benefit far outweighs anything else and the project will help tourism maintain its lead as the biggest revenue earner for the country. Such an advantage provides the backup for industries like sugar, for example, which constantly face threats from industrial and political actions, and changing global trade preferences.
We applaud the Government's plans for Natadola. It is an essential development programme for this time in the new millenium.
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