Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association, 24 October 2024 – As I reflect on the journey of the Hospitality, Tourism, and Equipment Conference, or HOTEC; I have to admit that I am really excited about how far we’ve come.
When we first launched this tradeshow many years ago, our vision was simple, if not a little ambitious: to create a platform where tourism industry suppliers could connect directly with hotel properties and hospitality professionals—all under one roof.
This is especially true if you consider the difficulty of trying to stay on trend, improve productivity, reduce costs, and bring globally recognised products to a tiny little dot in the South Pacific Ocean.
Fast forward to 2024, and I can confidently say that HOTEC has evolved into something truly remarkable, given that the “dot” has become a recognised brand globally with visitors putting it on their bucket lists of holiday destinations they absolutely must visit.
This is not just an event; it’s a celebration of our industry, a chance to come together and share ideas that will shape the future of tourism in Fiji and the broader South Pacific.
We’ve expanded our exhibitor base, increased the range of products and services on display, and developed a robust program filled with informative sessions and competitions that don’t just showcase our incredible local talent but have been designed to consider training and upskilling challenges.
Whether you’re a hotelier, a hospitality professional, a supplier, or simply passionate about tourism; prioritise joining us at HOTEC 24 and experience first-hand where this fiercely competitive industry is heading.
Trust me, you won’t want to miss it!
On Day Zero October 23, we’ll kick off the festivities with the HOTEC Welcome Networking Cocktail, hosted by the ACT and NSW Governments along with Pacific Trade Invest Australia.
This event is not just about sipping cocktails showcasing Australia’s finest food and beverage products; it’s an opportunity to connect with new suppliers and hospitality buffs. Where industry leaders, exhibitors, and guests come together to forge relationships, share ideas, and kick off the event with an eager eye out for what’s new that might push the innovative boundaries or create the magic to lift products and services to that next level.
Moving on to Day One, October 24, we officially open the event with our Chief Guest, the Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Hon. Viliame Gavoka.
Then it’s all systems go.
We’ll also have the HOTEC Barista Competition Finals which is always a crowd
favourite, showcasing the incredible talent we have in our local baristas. Watching them compete is a testament to the skill and passion that goes into every cup of coffee, and I encourage everyone to come and cheer for our local talent.
Then we kick off with Information Session 1: Thriving and Inclusive Communities from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM. This session delves into the importance of maintaining compliant working conditions and fostering local employment opportunities.
Supporting our communities is a cornerstone of sustainable tourism, and if this is of interest to burgeoning entrepreneurs trying to find a way into the industry – come on down and hear how some of the successful ventures started.
We’ll cover the essential elements of local employment contracts and share success stories of community engagement from industry leaders who have made a real difference.
If you have not experienced this, it is truly inspiring to see how businesses can thrive while uplifting their communities.
Later that day, from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM, we’ll have Session 2: Prosperous Visitor Economy, sponsored by PTI Australia. This session is all about understanding our taxation responsibilities and harnessing digital tools to enhance your marketability.
Learn about business obligations and how to leverage technology for a successful business presence.
We’ll explore examples from our industry that highlight how local purchasing and sourcing have positively affected businesses. These insights will inspire many to rethink their strategies and invest in local solutions.
As Day One winds down, we’ll gather once more for the HOTEC Networking Cocktail, hosted this time by the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. This is another chance to mingle, share stories, and build the kind of connections that can lead to future collaborations. Networking is vital in our industry, and these informal gatherings are often where the most exciting connections and ideas are born.
Our Day Two, Friday 25 October, will see the HOTEC Chef and Cocktail competition finals and the energy will be electric as the finest chefs and mixologists go head-to head, demonstrating their creativity and skill.
Sometimes tense, with equal measures of excitement and disbelief that we have talent like this in the industry.
We’ll continue with Information Session 3: Healthy Islands and Oceans, sponsored by Palmex International, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM. In this session, we’ll focus on resource management and the importance of maintaining a pristine environment for our tourism businesses to thrive. If you have a new idea to share, bring it here or learn from others who are already paving the new road to sustainability.
We’ll discuss resilient building solutions and hear firsthand from industry experts about what has worked—and what hasn’t—in managing resources like water and electricity,
as well as wastewater. This session will be instrumental for anyone looking to enhance their operational efficiency while being environmentally responsible.
Finally, from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM, we wrap up with Information Session 4: Visible and Valued Cultures. Here, we’ll tackle the delicate subject of managing visits to cultural sites and indigenous communities. It’s essential that these visits are conducted respectfully and with a deep understanding of land, water, and property rights.
We’ll discuss best practices for protecting and presenting cultural heritage, ensuring that our approach honours the communities we engage with. This session is particularly relevant today as we face increasing challenges in tourism, and it’s crucial we navigate these issues thoughtfully and inclusively.
To close out HOTEC 2024, we’ll gather for the HOTEC Gala Awards Night, hosted by Austrade and Trade Investment Queensland.
This event is not just a chance to recognize excellence in our industry; it’s a celebration of our shared achievements and a moment to reflect on the journey we’ve taken together.
It will be an evening filled with laughter, recognition, and inspiration—a perfect way to end an extraordinary two days.
All of these are just several highlights from the two days of HOTEC but there’s so much more happening that we don’t have space in the article to share them all. But you can definitely find it on the FHTA website.
Attending HOTEC 2024 presents an invaluable opportunity to connect with industry leaders, exhibitors, and government representatives.
Networking isn’t just about exchanging business cards; it’s about creating partnerships that can elevate your operations and inspire growth and we have been extremely proud of some of the wonderful connections that have propelled business prospects through these events.
Additionally, we wanted to ensure that getting to and from HOTEC 2024 could be as seamless as possible for both attendees and exhibitors, so transportation arrangements will be in place, providing ease of movement throughout the event, even for those coming from outside Nadi and from as far as Suva.
For those who have accommodations outside the venue, there are shuttle services too.
So, rally your teams, immerse yourselves in discussions that matter, learn from the best in the business, and walk away with strategies to enhance your operations.
We are all about moving this industry forward.
Fantasha Lockington – CEO, FHTA (Published in the Fiji Times on 24 October 2024)
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