Australian Government gets it wrong over travel to Fiji………again!

While the The Australian Government has not increased its safety and security warning from travelers to Fiji from “Exercise Caution” in Fiji generally and “High Degree of Caution” for Suva, it has strengthened some of the wording of a reissued advisory creating uncertainty once again in relation to travel to Fiji.

They claim it is based on new information they have received, but local tourism operators say that it is once again a case of over reaction by the Australian High Commissioner based in Suva.

The advisory summary says, “We advise you to exercise caution in Fiji due to the unresolved political situation and deterioration in the rule of law following the December 2006 military coup.”

“Pay close attention to your personal security and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.”

“We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Suva due to the unresolved political situation in Fiji.”

“Any adverse political event in Fiji could lead without warning to an outbreak of violence and civil unrest, in particular in and around Suva.”

“You should avoid demonstrations, street rallies and public gatherings as such events could result in civil disorder.”

“You should avoid military installations, military activity and concentrations of military personnel around Suva.”

“Actions taken by the military and other government organisations since the coup have undermined the protections ordinarily afforded by the rule of law and have affected the interests and welfare of Australians in some instances.”

“There have been reports of increases in violent crime.”

“Expatriates and tourists have been targeted, particularly in Suva.”

“You should maintain a high degree of personal security awareness.”

“Credible threats have been made against the Australian High Commission and its staff in Suva.”

“The Australian Government has authorised the voluntary departure of the dependants of Australia-based staff in the Australian High Commission in Suva, if they wish to leave.”

With a Mamanuca Resort operator telling the Mole this week that the stenghtening of the above advisory information demonstrates a clear failure of understanding of the real situation in Fiji by the Australian High Commission in Suva.

He added, “It is time these guys got out of the office in Suva and meet some Aussies on holiday here, who never have and never will feel threatened in any way, wherever they travel in Fiji.”  

“They should also get out of the office and meet some Aussie resort operators to find out what we think and how their totally misguided and uninformed action affects us.”

He also said the Australian High Commission has been single handedly responsible for the virtual collapse of the Fiji tourism industry, much of which they don’t realise is Australian owned and also for creating massive tourism staff lay offs, impacting directly on the Fijian people.” 

“All because they sit in their isolated ivory town Suva, totally out of touch with the real situation on the ground.”  

“They get couple of threatening phone calls and panic.”  “What do they expect, Australia and also New Zealand to an extent is responsible for the Fijian nation’s potential economic collapse, because of the High Commission’s over reaction right through all this.”

He also said that his business was running at 40% occupancy this month with forward occupancy down to 25% to 30% and the future looking pretty dismal, with a number of significant resorts, including Australian owned and financed resorts likely to go bust in the coming months, if business did not pick up.

He said, “Last week after the High Commissioner drove the strengthening of the advisory we had heaps of cancellations.”  

“They should think and consult a lot more before they make these stupid, ill informed, bureaucratic decisions, aimed at protecting themselves and not anybody else, while the truth is that they are not under threat at all and neither is anybody else.”

The Mole will be bringing it to you the way it is, reporting from Fiji the week after next, on location from Bula Fiji Tourism Exchange 2008.

by The Mole