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

"We are very conscious. We just started the coral planting program. We bring down coral pieces and plant them here. We educate guests when they come down to water 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 to eliminate (rubbish) as much as possible," said Tish Mete, general manager of Malamala Beach Club.

When a small economy is driven by tourism, natural disasters can be devastating. And that's why ADB launched a Pacific disaster resilience program, providing contingent financing to deal with the aftermaths of a disaster, according to Maria Carmela Locsin, Director General of ADB Pacific.

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

Farmers had no connection to the industry. "We can help and we can get access to more produce," said Lance Seeto, President of Culinary Federation of Fiji.

He mentioned that the chefs are working closely with Tourism Fiji – the Fijian government's tourism marketing arm. "You tell us when all these produce are available as government, we send back with strategic plan on our menus for the year. So if pineapple season is in March or April, then we will change our menus to synchronize with farms."

On top of the exciting cuisine to come, the winning ingredient for Fiji's tourism over other island economies could be in the “bula” – the national greeting.

"What you have here is absolutely brilliant Fijian personality... Fiji people are hospitable naturally," Mete said.

ADB is committing to a five-billion-U.S.-dollars action plan to protect ocean health. For Pacific nations like Fiji, it pays to not overdevelop, keep the rest of the economy strong, and have a differentiating factor.