A Happy Hour for the Planet has just been announced by the island of Fiji, which is encouraging tourists to give something back, by engaging in environmental and sustainable practices during their stay. So what can you get involved with and can you ‘volunteer’ in this way, without impacting your Europesure Travel Insurance travel policy?
The sustainable options with which you can engage in the Fijian environmental happy hour (Loloma Hour), should not really present issues with your Europesure travel policy. What they will do is allow you to get a real feel-good feeling from your trip, compensating for your impact during your time in this tropical paradise. That’s what Loloma Hour – an initiative from Tourism Fiji – is all about.
Discover Fijian sustainable tourism with your Europesure travel policy
Fijian hospitality providers have already done so much to drive sustainability, with a greening of operations having occurred throughout the country’s many islands. Several Fijian resorts have spearheaded environmental innovation for the entire South Pacific region, having driven a sustainable agenda since 1989.
Here is where the first resort to benefit from solar power and wind energy is found. It’s where Tesla batteries were used within off-grid solar installations, to create the first 100% solar-powered resort. Worm-based septic systems have helped create zero waste. Waste water is treated and used as natural fertiliser in one case. Low-plastic environments have been created. Another resort even built its own freshwater bottling plant.
Wildlife conservation in Fiji
Nature and the environment matters in Fiji. It is home to five of earth’s seven species of sea turtle, all of which are either threatened or endangered. The Fijian-crested iguana is another creature that needs cherishing and manta ray conservation, and that of giant clams, are equally important when it comes to native marine life. 42% of the world’s coral species also call Fiji home, so preserving the reef ecosystem is paramount.
Local food and crafts in Fiji
The food chain has not escaped attention. Organic gardens, established in several resorts, prioritise growing food locally, rather than flying it in from Australia and New Zealand. Menus are an eclectic mix of what is in season and locally sourced at any given time, with that from the sea influenced by the local fishermen’s catch of the day.
Then there has been a simultaneous focus on local skills and craftsmanship, even a rebirth for traditional talents such as Fijian canoe sailing and navigation skills - the cornerstone of a sustainable sea-based transportation system.
What Loloma Hour is all about
Loloma Hour (loloma meaning to act with generosity driven by love) offers opportunities for visitors to get involved with projects. 21 different resorts have supported its launch and it will probably grow. It offers tourists the chance to engage in memorable and uplifting activities and aims to generate 5000 ‘volunteer’ hours in its first year. It will make travellers more conscious of their environmental and social impact and preserve the people, environment and traditions that make Fiji such an exceptional destination. Europesure applauds these sustainable travel policies and practices.
Ways to engage with Loloma Hour
So what sorts of things could you be doing, either through participation in Loloma Hour, or at a resort which has already created engagement programmes?
Well, you could be planting coral and helping to protect the coral reefs. There is a chance to assist marine life by taking part in litter collection on the beach. One resort offers a latte in return for such assistance with litter and will provide a drinks voucher, if you collect a full bag.
Planting mangrove seedlings is another activity that nurtures the environment. Showing support for rural communities matters, as does experiencing Fijian culture, so you could visit a village or experience a Fijian storytelling session.
The pillars of Loloma Hour
Loloma Hour has four key pillars. The first is ‘giving back to wildlife’, by learning about conservation or planting native trees that sustain species like iguanas. The second is ‘giving back to the community’ - as simple as taking a traditional cooking class. The third is ‘giving back to the reef’. This is not just about coral planting, but also wearing reef-safe sunscreen and taking part in reef-safe snorkelling programmes. The final pillar is ‘giving back to the coastline’, which is where beach clean-ups and mangrove restoration comes in.
Environmental volunteering and your Europesure travel insurance policy
None of this should impact the validity of your travel insurance, as it will not entail ‘manual labour’ under that policy definition. Just make sure you are not likely to suffer an allergic reaction to anything with which you come into contact and that, whilst ‘volunteering’, you do not injure a third party, as your liability protection might be affected. In most Loloma Hour instances, that would be highly unlikely.
Sporting activity risks in Fiji
A similar checking of the rules should be undertaken with other activities in Fiji, as there are many on offer. Be aware of the rules regarding sports activities when checking whether your Europesure travel insurance policy will cover them. Even if the sport is listed, cover might be to a certain grade of difficulty (as with white water rafting) or depth, as with scuba diving. There is so much to choose from, from river tubing, diving with sharks and jet skiing, to bamboo rafting, sportfishing and swimming with manta.
Scuba and sea risks in Fiji
You should be aware that Fiji only has one hyperbaric decompression chamber, located in Suva, be safety cautious, if diving, particularly as this one chamber is not always in operation. Make sure there is oxygen on the boat and assess whether safety seems to be taken seriously.
Take care in the sea, as dangerous rip tides surround reefs and estuaries. Swim only where there are lifeguards, do not swim alone and heed yellow flag warnings. Beware of jellyfish and, if taking a boat experience, check safety credentials and do not board if the boat is overloaded.
Exercise similar caution with liquor. Be aware of the methanol risk in alcoholic drinks. Buy only from licensed outlets, such as hotels and resorts and check bottle seals before drinking. Be careful with the local ‘brew’ of Kava, drunk at native ceremonies, as liver toxicity issues can arise. Drink spiking can also occur, so never leave your drink, or food, unattended.
Theft, fraud and weather risks in Fiji
Theft from vehicles occurs, along with some thefts of personal belongings. Do not put all valuables in one bag and keep a copy of your passport details somewhere safe, away from your passport itself. Be careful when using your credit card, as some card skimming does occur at ATMs. Keep checking your card and stay alert to the fraud risk.
Remember that cyclones can hit Fiji, causing extensive flooding, and that the islands are in an earthquake zone. Make sure you have relevant cancellation and curtailment protection through your travel insurance.
The need for potential repatriation cover
And then remember that the islands’ health infrastructure may not be sufficient to support you, if you have a serious medical issue. If treatment is required elsewhere, it is likely to be in Australia. Could you really fund the cost of medical repatriation to Oz, with all the specialist facilities this is likely to require? What would be the additional costs that you, and your travelling companions might then incur? Could you get yourself back home, following treatment?
These are core questions and ones on which you need to focus on whilst booking your dream holiday in Fiji. Do that and you – and the environment – can hopefully enjoy many happy hours, and a few Loloma Hours too, whilst in this paradisiacal destination.
