How does Fiji balance preserving its environment and development?

Pristine beaches, tropical weather, it's easy to see why tourism contributes 40percentof Fiji’s GDP. The country hasmorethan 300 islands, bringing intwobillionU.S.dollars in tourist revenue and creates 45,000 jobs.Businesses in Fiji are conscious of ocean protection, trying tobalance the conservation of its environment with economic development.

Webringdowncoral pieces and plant them here.Weeducateguestswhen they come down towater sports, about where they should go, what they should do.Everything we do is as eco [ecological] as possible…we are trying to balance and we have a program toeliminate(rubbish)as much as possible, saidTish Mete,general manager ofMalamala Beach Club.

When a small economy is driven by tourism, natural disasters can be devastating. And that's why ADB launched a Pacificdisasterresilienceprogram,providing contingent financingto deal with the aftermaths of a disaster, according toMaria Carmela Locsin, Director GeneralofADB Pacific.

One way to strengthen the economycouldbe a stronger agricultural sector, and that effort's finding an ally in the country's chefs, who wantFijito be known for its food as well as the beaches.

Farmers hadno connection to the industry. We can helpand we can get access to more produce, saidLance Seeto, PresidentofCulinary FederationofFiji.

Hementionedthat the chefs are working closely withTourism Fiji– the Fijian government's tourism marketing arm. You tell us when all these produce areavailableasgovernment, we send back with strategic plan on our menus for the year.So ifpineapple seasonisinMarch or April,then we will change our menus tosynchronize with farms.

On top of the exciting cuisine to come, the winning ingredient forFiji's tourism over other island economies could bein the“bula”–thenational greeting.

What you have here is absolutely brilliant Fijian personality... Fiji people arehospitable naturally, Metesaid.

ADBis committing to afive-billion-U.S.-dollarsaction plan to protect ocean health.ForPacific nations likeFiji, it pays to not overdevelop, keep the rest of the economy strong, and have a differentiating factor.

(CGTN)