Tourism partnerships: localizing the SDG agenda in Fiji

Abstract

Tourism plays a crucial role in enabling the achievement of the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its focus on partnerships as a means of implementation. South Pacific leadership in the implementation of the SDGs highlights the importance of civil society partnerships in localizing Agenda 2030 to respond to national priorities. However, there has been limited research on how partnerships can best respond to local agendas in a tourism context. This paper examines the SDGs from the perspective of two community-focused tourism businesses in Fiji, specifically concentrating on SDG 17 to explore how partnerships between tourism businesses and local community stakeholders can support local development outcomes and contribute to the attainment of the SDGs more broadly. Findings showed that partnerships are integral to enabling meaningful local development outcomes, also noting points of disconnection. Findings exposed the paradox between tourism growth as a strategy for achieving the SDGs and the need to grow slowly if community needs and priorities are to be considered. Ultimately the research aims to suggest opportunities for tourism and community partnerships to rise to the challenge of addressing the SDGs in a way that respects local priorities and enables meaningful outcomes for destination communities.