The Mole meets the Interim Prime Minister of Fiji

Many Australians and New Zealanders think of Commander Frank Bainimarama, the Interim Prime Minister of Fiji as a military dictator, perhaps even a Fidel Castro like character or something like a traditional South American military junta General from American movies.

Well, I am pleased to tell you that you are wrong as The Mole met with the Interim Prime Minster Bainimarama [Pictured right during his walkabout at BFTE with Steve Anstey GM of Ahura Resorts discussing their their new resort, Likuliku] yesterday at Bula Fiji Tourism Exchange. 

The Mole found a very modest and quiet man, passionately committed to the future of Fiji and someone determined to eradicate crime and corruption. 

He is also a very strong family man and was joined at Bula Fiji Tourism Exchange by his wife.

The Mole had a brief opportunity to ask him about his views of tourism and its significance to Fiji.

The Mole: What do you think of what you have seen today at Bula Fiji Tourism Exchange?

Prime Minister: This has been a very exciting experience for me to visit BFTE and I have seen some very exciting things for tourists to see in Fiji.

I have also seen from my walkabout around all the booths here today, what excellent tourism product Fiji has to offer and also that we are getting a lot of local and international investors bringing money into Fiji and investing in some really excellent tourism developments.

The Mole: That is excellent, but they do need the support of the Government in helping them market their properties and driving a return on their investment.

Prime Minister: Definitely and we hope that these properties will get as many visitors as they can and the developments look very exciting, helping put Fiji on the map.  The Government will do what it can.

The Mole: Some of the industry in Fiji and elsewhere have said that you are not interested in tourism or committed to it and that along with your Finance Minister you are more interested in sugar than tourism.

Prime Minister:  No, that is not true, everyone is interested to hear of companies investing in Fiji and bringing income to the country, whether that is in tourism, sugar or any other business they want to bring into town.  People look forward to that and tourism is very important indeed to Fiji in terms of jobs and the economy.

Of course, we have some economic issues to resolve and they are being dealt with.

The Mole:  What message do you have for the travel industry and tourists in Australia and New Zealand thinking of sending clients or coming to Fiji on holiday?

Prime Minister: The only message I can send to Australians and New Zealanders is that they should be here today to enjoy the sunshine, our wonderful weather and to see all the wonderful product that is available to them in Fiji today and come here to enjoy our country and our people.

The Mole:  Is Fiji safe?

Prime Minister:  Fiji is not only safe, Fiji is very safe and we look forward to welcoming more and more international visitors to Fiji and in particular from Australia and New Zealand.

The Mole: Thank you.

A Report by The Mole on location at Bula Fiji Tourism Exchange