Fiji hoteliers oppose proposed 5 percent service charge
Fiji tourism leaders are strongly opposed to a proposal to implement a 5% tourism service nationwide, saying it will negatively impact visitor arrivals.
A motion has been proposed by shadow tourism minister Viliame Gavoka for a fee to be charged to all guests in order to boost the income of tourism workers.
The Fiji Hotels and Tourism Association says another tourism related fee could tip the balance and severely impact the industry.
"We are saying that in Fiji if you impose a service fees our service standards will not improve. We believe that this fee should not be introduced as there are other methods to reward service excellence and employees," said the Association’s chief executive Michael Wong.
A group of tourism stakeholders along with the FHTA, addressing the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economic Affairs, said direct costs had steadily risen over the years making it increasingly expensive to visit Fiji.
In one example they highlighted the rise in departure tax which had gone up from $40 in 2008 to $200 currently.
However many tourism industry workers are in favour of the service fee and have sent a petition containing the names of 600 workers to the Government calling for the fee to be introduced.
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