Latest news with #TourismFiji
BBC News
6 days ago
- Lifestyle
- BBC News
Loloma Hour: Where nature and happiness meet
In Fiji, tourists are helping conserve the archipelago's natural and cultural environment – one hour at a time. "Any Fijian will tell you loloma [means] love. It also means mercy, being kind, having compassion and charity, being generous," explains marine biologist Kolora Lewadradra. "Loloma also means the deep care that one has for another, for the land, the environment, the ocean – it's a word that expresses profound affection or goodness." Loloma Hour, a new initiative co-ordinated by Tourism Fiji, aims to capture that sense of integration with nature and love for the natural world. It encourages travellers to spend just 60 minutes of their holiday giving back to Fiji and contribute to projects helping the landscapes, seascapes, ecosystems and culture that make the archipelago so magical. Activities span the gamut, from helping conserve indigenous species, rehabilitate the reef and protect the coastline to preserving local culture by learning crafts such as basket weaving or pottery. But some of the most popular options are those that get travellers into Fiji's crystal-clear waters. Creating evangelists through protecting the reef Marine biologist Rob McFarlane leads ocean programmes at four resorts in Fiji, including Barefoot Manta Island in the Yasawa archipelago, where he heads up the resort's Marine Conservation Centre. As well as studying the reef manta rays that feed in a nearby channel during the dry season, McFarlane's team has counted and observed more than 330 reef fish species and 110 hard coral species within the local protected marine area, which spans just 26 hectares (64 acres).
Euronews
14-04-2025
- Euronews
Give back while you travel: Fiji's ‘Loloma Hour' invites visitors to help protect paradise
ADVERTISEMENT Forget your average happy hour. Fiji wants travellers to trade sundowners for something more meaningful. The Pacific Island nation's 'Loloma Hour' invites visitors to spend at least one hour of their trip giving back to the environment or local communities. Whether it's replanting mangroves, taking part in a beach clean-up or learning to make traditional crafts alongside Fijian villagers, the goal is simple: leave the islands better than you found them. 'True happiness comes not just from what you take, but what you give,' says Srishti Narayan, chief marketing officer at Tourism Fiji. What is Loloma Hour? 'Loloma' is a Fijian word meaning generosity driven by love, and the new programme reflects that spirit. Rolled out across dozens of eco-minded hotels, resorts and tour operators, Loloma Hour is part of Fiji's wider strategy to preserve its cultural heritage and natural ecosystems while creating meaningful exchanges between travellers and locals. Related Looking to travel more sustainably? Sweden, Finland and Austria are the places to go to Bali floats steep daily tourist tax amid concerns over mass tourism and unruly visitors The initiative supports activities that align with four key pillars: wildlife conservation, community support, reef protection and coastline care. Guests might join a coral planting session, participate in iguana conservation walks, take part in reef-safe snorkelling or attend a village storytelling event. The aim is for tourists to contribute at least 5,000 volunteer hours across the country this year. Tourism with purpose is on the rise Fiji's bet on mindful travel taps into a growing trend. According to a 2023 survey, 76 per cent of global travellers say they want to travel more sustainably. In Europe , the demand is especially high, and operators are answering the call. Five of the 10 most sustainable destinations in 2024 were in Europe, according to Lonely Planet , and destinations like the Faroe Islands and Normandy have been praised for pioneering community-based and regenerative tourism programmes. From Thailand to Greenland , tourism boards and private operators alike have started rethinking everything from interactions with wildlife to diving excursions to make them more purposeful. Related Could Croatia be the most sustainable travel destination in Europe? Its tourism minister hopes so One night on this exclusive private island in the Maldives could cost more than €100,000 Among them, Fiji's Loloma Hour stands out for its cultural framing – rooted in love rather than obligation. But it also has a deeper meaning. The Pacific Islands are on the frontlines of the climate crisis, pressed with rising sea levels, coral bleaching and extreme weather events. With tourism making up about 40 per cent of Fiji's GDP, turning tourism into a tool for change isn't just good policy. It might also be essential for the country's future. Where guests can get involved From five-star hideaways to barefoot eco-resorts, 21 properties across Fiji are currently taking part in Loloma Hour – each offering different activities. ADVERTISEMENT At Six Senses Fiji, guests can swim through coral nurseries with experts, plant native trees or tour the resort's organic gardens. The Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort offers marine education sessions led by in-house biologists. On islands like Malolo and Wakaya, guests can document vulnerable manta ray populations while diving or join mangrove replanting sessions and beach clean-ups. 'Loloma Hour gives visitors a chance to help preserve what makes Fiji so special – its people, environment and traditions,' says Narayan.
Forbes
07-04-2025
- Forbes
Fiji's New Loloma Hour, for Sustainability and for Happiness
Earth Hour was March 28, 2025, and Earth Day is April 22, 2025. Launching in between these two dates—on April 7, 2025—is Fiji's new Loloma Hour, a practice encouraged for every visitor to Fiji's 333 islands on any day of the year. Taveuni Island, Somosomo Strait, Pacific Ocean, Fiji Islands. getty Tourism Fiji created the new Loloma Hour to help the country achieve its sustainability goals. In Fiji, 'loloma' is all about love, generosity and the act of giving. Fiji's new Loloma Hour is about embracing these concepts, giving back to Fiji in a meaningful way, and about the care that Fijians have for each other, for the ocean and for their islands. Snorkeling at Barefoot Manta Island, Fiji. Thomas Vignaud The goal of Loloma Hour is to preserve the natural beauty and cultural heritage of Fiji while amplifying sustainability efforts—especially important in a country where the tourism sector makes up almost 40 percent of the economy. Loloma Hour has four pillars: There's sure to be an activity related to at least one of these pillars that inspires every visitor to Fiji. More and more people are looking for purpose-driven and meaningful travel—they want their visits to help make destinations better (or at least not worse) and want to give back in a meaningful way. Initiatives like Loloma Hour help travelers choose destinations and activities where they can contribute in ways they know are helpful. While sustainability and the natural environment are important, responsible travel is also about protecting cultural heritage, ensuring local economies thrive, making connections with the people who live in the places we visit, and doing so in ways that local residents welcome. Throwing a fishing net, Vanua Levu, Fiji. getty Loloma Hour, says Brent Hill, Chief Executive Officer of Tourism Fiji, is 'a way for visitors to experience the Fijian spirit of generosity while leaving a lasting contribution to the destination.' He explains that central to Fijian culture are the values of family, sharing, connection, community, generosity, gratitude, and respect for nature. Loloma and Loloma Hour emphasize the act of giving. A related word in Fiji is 'solesolevaki'—the concept of everyone coming together for a common cause in the spirit of generosity and giving. Both are central to the Fijian way of life and why Fiji is favored by so many travelers. Earth Hour 2023: Planet Earth with sunlight in dark space (elements of this image furnished by NASA). getty Sustainability initiatives like Loloma Hour and Earth Hour can make a big difference. The World Wildlife Fund initiated Earth Hour in 2007 in Sydney as a means to increase understanding of climate change initially in Australia. Now international, Earth Hour has broader goals of encouraging both community and individual actions to achieve a better and more sustainable future for everyone. Endangered Irrawaddy dolphin, Kratie, Cambodia. getty It's not just a symbolic turning off your lights for an hour either. Earth Hour initiatives help protect the planet's biodiversity. People from 118 countries and territories participated in Earth Hour 2025 events and contributed almost three million hours, doubling 2024's 1.4 million hours. This year's Earth Hour activities included tree planting, single-use plastic reduction campaigns, and specific initiatives like fundraising for critically endangered Irrawaddy dolphins in the Mekong River and a cleanup in the Cambodian stretches of the river. Achievements from previous Earth Hour activities include the creation of the world's first Earth Hour Forest in Uganda, the tripling of Argentina's protected waters with the creation of the Banco Namuncurá marine protected area, and the classification of five million square kilometers as a marine protected area in French Polynesia. Visitors to Fiji are invited to contribute an hour during their visit toward any of the four Loloma Hour pillars—giving back to the community, coastline, reef or wildlife. More than likely, you'll choose an activity that contributes to more than one and you'll end up giving back for more than an hour since the activities are also enjoyable. Coral planting in FIji at Vatuvara Private Island Vatuvara Foundation More than 20 tourism partners—hotels, tour operators, private islands, Captain Cook Cruises Fiji and even a floating bar called Seventh Heaven—are participating in Loloma Hour at its launch on April 7, 2025. Chances are, your hotel will be offering an activity which makes it easy to contribute a Loloma Hour, all while having fun and learning about Fiji during your vacation. Fijian Crested Iguana, Kula Eco Park, Coral Coast, Viti Levu, Fiji. getty At Six Senses Fiji, for example, guests can contribute to the conservation of critically endangered Fijian Crested Iguanas. On Malolo Island, the largest of the 20 Mamanuca Islands, Six Senses Fiji has more than doubled their population of the critically endangered reptiles and expanded their territory in their Iguana Reserve. Giving back to the coastline in the form of mangrove planting is a Loloma Hour experience at Shangri-La Yanuca Island, Fiji. This Coral Coast island resort is connected to Fiji's largest island, Viti Levu, by a causeway. Here, guests can help plant mangrove trees, which are essential for stabilizing shorelines and for supporting juvenile marine life and birds. Other resorts participating in Loloma Hour include VOMO Island Fiji and Kokomo Private Island; Wakaya Club & Spa where protecting manta rays, coral restoration and organic farming are important; and Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort Fiji in Savusavu (known as Fiji's Hidden Paradise), where 99% of the staff are from nearby villages and local communities are actively involved in the resort's environmental stewardship and cultural preservation initiatives. Bula! Fijian greeting, Nanuya Lailai Island, Yasawa Islands, Fiji. getty To visit Fiji as a tourist, you'll need a passport that's valid for at least six months beyond your intended dates of stay, a return flight (or ticket onward), and—unless you're from a country that is exempt—a pre-approved visa. Currently, you're exempt from needing a tourist visa for Fiji if you're a passport holder from the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, most of the European Union, Australia or New Zealand. Countries with direct flights to Fiji include the United States (from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Honolulu, and Dallas), Canada (from Vancouver), Australia and New Zealand. Whenever you go in Fiji, aim to experience loloma and happiness during your Fijian visit. Perhaps you'll contribute a Loloma Hour every day and come home having absorbed some of Fiji's famous happiness. 'True happiness comes not just from what you take, but what you give,' says Srishti Narayan, Tourism Fiji's Chief Marketing Officer. 'Loloma Hour gives visitors a chance to help preserve what makes Fiji so special—its people, environment, and traditions.' How will you contribute your Loloma Hour? Fijian family, Savusavu, Fiji. getty
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Yahoo
These hotels in Fiji are turning guests into conservationists
Fiji's gin-bottle-blue waters, luminous sand, and riotously colorful rainforests have long made it a dream destination. But even paradise needs protection — the archipelago faces significant threats from climate change, ranging from rising sea levels encroaching on low-lying habitats to coral bleaching damaging the reefs that sustain marine life and shield shorelines from erosion. That's why hotels across Fiji are inviting guests to be part of the solution, making conservation a hands-on part of the travel experience. Across the country, resorts have launched sustainability programs aimed at guests keen on making a real impact — like planting mangroves to fortify coastlines, working alongside marine biologists to regenerate coral reefs, and rolling up their sleeves for beach clean-ups and restoration projects. And the momentum is only growing. On April 7, Tourism Fiji will launch Loloma Hour — a new initiative rooted in the local concept of loloma, meaning to act with generosity, driven by love — designed to inspire travelers to give back to the environment during their stay. Here's where to go to experience Fiji at its most breathtaking—and most meaningful. Sitting in the heart of the Great Astrolabe Reef — the fourth most extensive reef system in the world — this ultra-luxurious retreat features villas equipped with breezy living areas, kitchenettes stocked with local fruit juices and chocolate-enrobed honeycomb, and a soaking tub in the primary bedroom, as well as a yard decked out with an infinity pool, sun-drenched patios, and swaying hammocks strung between coconut palms. Beyond the plush comforts, Kokomo is deeply committed to conservation, and its most unique initiative invites guests to play a role in protecting the resident manta rays — endangered gentle giants with an average wingspan of over 18 feet. During snorkeling excursions, guests can photograph the creatures, capturing the fingerprint-like spot patterns on the bellies. When uploaded to a database, those photos allow scientists to track the movement of the rays, which helps with monitoring and protecting the fish's habitats. (Related: Why 'White Lotus' fans should skip Thailand and travel to this island instead) With pearlescent beaches, a jungle spa, and a lineup of water-based adventures, deciding how to spend the day at Six Senses Fiji is no easy task. But after sunset, we'd argue the activity has to be joining the sustainability team to track Fijian Crested Iguanas. Once thought extinct on the island, more than 40 of these rare, mint-green reptiles now call the property home. At night, their scales reflect torchlight, making them easier to spot. Monitoring their population is essential — not just to count their numbers but also to assess their health, behavior, and breeding patterns. With that data, scientists can make informed decisions about habitat restoration and other strategies to ensure the species' survival. With soaring thatched ceilings and intricate hand-carved woodwork, each of the residences, suites, and villas at Nanuku Resort spotlight Fijian craftsmanship, while floor-to-ceiling windows frame with ocean views fringed by wax palms and bird of paradise flowers. At the heart of the resort, the open-air lobby and restaurant area serve as both a gathering place and a hub for conservation. Just off to the side, you'll find Nanuku's mangrove nursery — an incubator for one of nature's most powerful carbon-sequestering trees. The tidal tree's root systems create habitats for baby fish and are essential for stabilizing coastlines, buffering against erosion from the pounding of waves and currents. Once the seedlings have grown enough, guests are invited to take part in replanting the young trees along the Serua coast. So far, Nanuku's team has successfully transplanted more than 15,000 mangrove trees. (Related: Saving our shores: coastal conservation projects making positive change) Set along the powdery sands of Natadola Bay, InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa is a sprawling complex with a slew of suites and villas, multiple specialty restaurants and bars, a full-service spa, and a lively kids' club. But beyond the indulgent amenities, one of the resort's most dazzling features lies just offshore — a thriving house reef bursting with kaleidoscopic marine life (Fiji is home to more than 1,200 varieties of tropical fish, 75 types of sharks and rays, and five of the world's seven marine turtle species). Part of the reason the underwater ecosystem is doing so well is because staff and guests are actively gardening it. Travelers can play a direct role in reef restoration by collecting small, living coral fragments — often broken pieces that would otherwise tumble across the ocean floor — and carefully securing them to specially designed coral frames or reef structures. These stable foundations allow the coral to regenerate, helping expand the reef and ensuring that the vibrant marine ecosystem continues flourishing. (Related: 7 luxurious hotels you can feel good about checking into) Encircled by eight world-class breaks — including the legendary Cloudbreak, one of the most iconic barrel waves on the planet — Tavarua Island Resort is a dream destination for surfers. But this heart-shaped private island isn't just for those chasing the perfect wave. It offers beachfront bures (traditional Fijian wood-and-straw accommodations), a restaurant focusing on ocean-to-table dining, and spectacular snorkeling and scuba diving — made even more special by Tavarua's groundbreaking giant clam conservation program. Across the Pacific, these reef dwellers have been over-harvested, putting delicate marine ecosystems at risk (they are a keystone species, after all). But here, marine biologists are working to turn the tide with an on-land hatchery where juvenile clams are tended to until they're strong enough to be transplanted — first to a protected lagoon, then onto the surrounding reefs and beyond. Guests can help by hand-cleaning the clams of invasive snails and the larvae that might otherwise devastate the population between moves while learning about their lifecycle, their predators, and the vital role they play in maintaining reef health. Sprawling 500 acres, yet hosting just 14 couples at a time, Turtle Island's intimate atmosphere makes it popular for honeymooners (here, they get their own secluded beachfront bure and can reserve an entire private beach for the day). But it's not just a retreat for romance — it's also a refuge for endangered green and hawksbill turtles. Each year, the animals return to lay their nest on the shores or their namesake island. By partnering with marine biologists, guests can help monitor the vulnerable nesting sites and safeguard hatchlings as part of the conservation efforts. Visitors can even assist in tagging rescued, full-grown turtles before releasing them back into the ocean. (Related: How playing Aquaman helped turn Jason Momoa into an ocean advocate) Bailey Berg is a writer and editor who splits time between Colorado and Alaska. She specializes in travel, the outdoors, and conservation. Her work can be found in National Geographic, Afar, Conde Nast Traveler, the Washington Post, Architectural Digest, and beyond. You can follow her stories on Instagram.
National Geographic
01-04-2025
- National Geographic
These hotels in Fiji are turning guests into conservationists
Tourism Fiji's new initiative is rooted in the local concept of loloma , meaning to act with generosity, driven by love, and aims to inspire visitors to help conserve and protect the local flora and fauna. Tourism Fiji's new initiative is rooted in the local concept of loloma , meaning to act with generosity, driven by love, and aims to inspire visitors to help conserve and protect the local flora and fauna. Tourism Fiji's new initiative is rooted in the local concept of loloma , meaning to act with generosity, driven by love, and aims to inspire visitors to help conserve and protect the local flora and fauna. Tourism Fiji's new initiative is rooted in the local concept of loloma , meaning to act with generosity, driven by love, and aims to inspire visitors to help conserve and protect the local flora and fauna. From mangrove nurseries to manta ray protection, these 6 hotels invite guests to help protect the local land and animals. Fiji's gin-bottle-blue waters, luminous sand, and riotously colorful rainforests have long made it a dream destination. But even paradise needs protection — the archipelago faces significant threats from climate change, ranging from rising sea levels encroaching on low-lying habitats to coral bleaching damaging the reefs that sustain marine life and shield shorelines from erosion. That's why hotels across Fiji are inviting guests to be part of the solution, making conservation a hands-on part of the travel experience. Across the country, resorts have launched sustainability programs aimed at guests keen on making a real impact — like planting mangroves to fortify coastlines, working alongside marine biologists to regenerate coral reefs, and rolling up their sleeves for beach clean-ups and restoration projects. And the momentum is only growing. On April 7, Tourism Fiji will launch Loloma Hour — a new initiative rooted in the local concept of loloma, meaning to act with generosity, driven by love — designed to inspire travelers to give back to the environment during their stay. Turtle Island's 5-acre garden supplies the resort with fresh vegetables, herbs, and fruit. Photographs by Turtle Island Fiji Here's where to go to experience Fiji at its most breathtaking—and most meaningful. Sitting in the heart of the Great Astrolabe Reef — the fourth most extensive reef system in the world — this ultra-luxurious retreat features villas equipped with breezy living areas, kitchenettes stocked with local fruit juices and chocolate-enrobed honeycomb, and a soaking tub in the primary bedroom, as well as a yard decked out with an infinity pool, sun-drenched patios, and swaying hammocks strung between coconut palms. Beyond the plush comforts, Kokomo is deeply committed to conservation , and its most unique initiative invites guests to play a role in protecting the resident manta rays — endangered gentle giants with an average wingspan of over 18 feet. During snorkeling excursions, guests can photograph the creatures, capturing the fingerprint-like spot patterns on the bellies. When uploaded to a database, those photos allow scientists to track the movement of the rays, which helps with monitoring and protecting the fish's habitats. (Related: Why 'White Lotus' fans should skip Thailand and travel to this island instead) With pearlescent beaches, a jungle spa, and a lineup of water-based adventures, deciding how to spend the day at Six Senses Fiji is no easy task. But after sunset, we'd argue the activity has to be joining the sustainability team to track Fijian Crested Iguanas. Once thought extinct on the island, more than 40 of these rare, mint-green reptiles now call the property home. At night, their scales reflect torchlight, making them easier to spot. Monitoring their population is essential — not just to count their numbers but also to assess their health, behavior, and breeding patterns. With that data, scientists can make informed decisions about habitat restoration and other strategies to ensure the species' survival. With soaring thatched ceilings and intricate hand-carved woodwork, each of the residences, suites, and villas at Nanuku Resort spotlight Fijian craftsmanship, while floor-to-ceiling windows frame with ocean views fringed by wax palms and bird of paradise flowers. At the heart of the resort, the open-air lobby and restaurant area serve as both a gathering place and a hub for conservation. Just off to the side, you'll find Nanuku's mangrove nursery — an incubator for one of nature's most powerful carbon-sequestering trees . The tidal tree's root systems create habitats for baby fish and are essential for stabilizing coastlines, buffering against erosion from the pounding of waves and currents. Once the seedlings have grown enough, guests are invited to take part in replanting the young trees along the Serua coast. So far, Nanuku's team has successfully transplanted more than 15,000 mangrove trees. (Related: Saving our shores: coastal conservation projects making positive change) Set along the powdery sands of Natadola Bay, InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa is a sprawling complex with a slew of suites and villas, multiple specialty restaurants and bars, a full-service spa, and a lively kids' club. But beyond the indulgent amenities, one of the resort's most dazzling features lies just offshore — a thriving house reef bursting with kaleidoscopic marine life (Fiji is home to more than 1,200 varieties of tropical fish, 75 types of sharks and rays, and five of the world's seven marine turtle species). Part of the reason the underwater ecosystem is doing so well is because staff and guests are actively gardening it. Travelers can play a direct role in reef restoration by collecting small, living coral fragments — often broken pieces that would otherwise tumble across the ocean floor — and carefully securing them to specially designed coral frames or reef structures. These stable foundations allow the coral to regenerate, helping expand the reef and ensuring that the vibrant marine ecosystem continues flourishing. (Related: 7 luxurious hotels you can feel good about checking into) Encircled by eight world-class breaks — including the legendary Cloudbreak, one of the most iconic barrel waves on the planet — Tavarua Island Resort is a dream destination for surfers. But this heart-shaped private island isn't just for those chasing the perfect wave. It offers beachfront bures (traditional Fijian wood-and-straw accommodations), a restaurant focusing on ocean-to-table dining, and spectacular snorkeling and scuba diving — made even more special by Tavarua's groundbreaking giant clam conservation program. Across the Pacific, these reef dwellers have been over-harvested, putting delicate marine ecosystems at risk (they are a keystone species, after all). But here, marine biologists are working to turn the tide with an on-land hatchery where juvenile clams are tended to until they're strong enough to be transplanted — first to a protected lagoon, then onto the surrounding reefs and beyond. Guests can help by hand-cleaning the clams of invasive snails and the larvae that might otherwise devastate the population between moves while learning about their lifecycle, their predators, and the vital role they play in maintaining reef health. Sprawling 500 acres, yet hosting just 14 couples at a time, Turtle Island's intimate atmosphere makes it popular for honeymooners (here, they get their own secluded beachfront bure and can reserve an entire private beach for the day). But it's not just a retreat for romance — it's also a refuge for endangered green and hawksbill turtles. Each year, the animals return to lay their nest on the shores or their namesake island. By partnering with marine biologists, guests can help monitor the vulnerable nesting sites and safeguard hatchlings as part of the conservation efforts. Visitors can even assist in tagging rescued, full-grown turtles before releasing them back into the ocean. (Related: How playing Aquaman helped turn Jason Momoa into an ocean advocate) National Geographic, Afar, Conde Nast Traveler, the Washington Post, Architectural Digest, and beyond. You can follow her stories on Bailey Berg is a writer and editor who splits time between Colorado and Alaska. She specializes in travel, the outdoors, and conservation. Her work can be found in, and beyond. You can follow her stories on Instagram Unlimited Access for Less Subscribe now and save $10 SUBSCRIBE
