Fiji Hotel Association pleads with Interim Government
The Fiji Islands Hotel and Tourism Association is pleading with the interim government to remove the public safety regulation which, it says, is holding the industry back, with FIHTA president Dixon Seeto saying that until the regulation was lifted, several governments would not lift advisories telling their citizens that Fiji was an unstable and unsafe destination.
He added that while the governments of Australia and New Zealand have acknowledged that significant progress has been made since December 5, they were still hesitant of softening the travel advisories because of the public emergency regulations.
Mr Seeto said this issue was also raised during the Bula Fiji Tourism Exchange in Nadi last week, saying that despite a lot of interest in Fiji, many travel agents had raised their concerns over the travel advisories.
He said, ”The public emergency regulations are affecting the tourism industry because governments are still cautious about changing their travel advisories as a result of the situation in Fiji.”
”We have made a lot of progress with the removal of checkpoints and soldiers from the streets and while we have been engaged in dialogue with various embassies and high commissions on softening the travel advisories, they have voiced their concerns about the public emergency regulations.
”The extension of the regulations has proven to be a stumbling block in trying to lower or relax the travel advisories.”
Fiji Visitors Bureau CEO Viliame Gavoka said indications were that hotels and resorts in Fiji would continue operating at very cheap rates as a result of the situation, adding that with tourist arrivals being low, tourist stakeholders continue to offer discounts of up to 40% for the remainder of the year.
Report by The Mole on location in Fiji
John Alwyn-Jones
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports