A report in the Fiji Times says that there is still a lot of work to be done before the tourism industry recovers, says the Fiji Visitors Bureau, with bureau chief executive Viliame Gavoka saying the lifting of the Public Emergency Regulations was “perfect” with the cold season approaching and the attractive deals on offer but the problem was lack of funding.
“Give us the money and we can do it,” Mr Gavoka said. “We are at the doorstep of the high season, yet the forward bookings are still patchy.
“We will be launching more campaigns in Australia and New Zealand soon, not on the scale we would want, because of the lack of funds,” he said.
It was revealed earlier that the industry had asked for an extra $3.8million to help it return to normal.
Mr Gavoka said latest developments would help efforts to return Fiji to the position it enjoyed before December 5, adding, that with huge marketing campaigns about to be launched in NZ and Australia over the next few days, the relaxing of travel advisories for Fiji would strengthen the country’s appeal as a safe and popular destination.
But while Mr Gavoka said the lifting of the regulations would help tourism, he said discount up to 50 per cent in hotels and resorts around the country would continue for some time.
He said the discount rates would continue because Fiji still had a lot of catching up to do in terms of restoring the industry to its former position in the global tourism market.
Fiji Islands Hotel and Tourism Association president Dixon Seeto said the industry was doing so poorly and the interim Government had the responsibility to support the industry because it was the only industry which could turn around if “given proper support”. “Funding is a key element for us,” he said.
Mr Seeto said it was critical for the industry and the interim Government to work towards eliminating travel advisories, saying the lack of funding and travel advisories did not help in the recovery of tourism.
Special Fiji Report by The Mole
