Tourist perception of beach-cast seaweed and coral reef at Likuri Island, Fiji

This study will focus on Likuri (also referred to as Robinson Crusoe Island), Fiji Islands, where beach-cast seaweeds have become a considerable nuisance and are deterring resort guests. Tourist satisfaction is an important component of the tourist experience, and is defined as a congruence between needs and experiences. Satisfactory tourism and hospitality services and experiences are seen as the greatest challenge in the tourism marketplace. However, satisfaction is a very complex concept, and many factors influence an individual's satisfaction with a holiday experience. Environmental degradation has been identified as one such factor, and the performance of tourist facilities another.

Thus, the primary aims of this project will be to
a) Determine tourist satisfaction with the beach and coral reef on Likuri Island
b) Determine tourist satisfaction with the Robinson Crusoe Island Resort
c) Determine tourist satisfaction with the wildlife viewing opportunities on and around Likuri Island
d) Examine possible influences of demographic data on visitor satisfaction
e) Use the data to inform the management decisions of local stakeholder groups

The most important output will be the use of the data to inform stakeholders in Fiji. They will be consulted throughout the project, and eventually benefit from the results for tourism management. Contemporary tourism planning and management recognise the importance of inclusion of local host communities, rather than employing the traditional approach of foreign investors imposing their goals on local populations.