Food handling procedure endorsed
The Ministry of Health has endorsed the Safe Food Handling in Catering Services code of practice following years of input to research and collate a standard food handling guide. President of the Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association Dixon Seeto in his annual report said the FHTA secretariat was now working with the Ministry of Tourism.
He said the Ministry of Tourism have confirmed they would develop the training programme in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community with shared funding.
“The document has been reviewed by all stakeholders including chefs from member hotels and it is envisaged that the planned widespread training and distribution of the guide will introduce food handlers at all levels of the industry to a minimum safe food handling standard and guideline,” Mr Seeto said.
Fiji Revenue and Customs Services (FRCS)
FHTA’s 2018/2019 Budget submissions have requested Fiji Revenue and Customs Services to provide background on the Environment and Climate Adaptation Levy (ECAL) applications and recommendations for recognition of existing environmental protection programmes and fund usage.
Mr Seeto said this included recommendations for hotel incentives to be brought back and raise concern on areas that require priority focus to ensure improved support for tourism infrastructure and business growth. He added the association’s FRCS sub-committee have had several meetings with FRCS to discuss areas of members’ concern or provide clarification on the industry process. The meetings mainly dealt with taxation issues which were raised by FHTA. FHTA said ECAL should also include other industries.
Fiji Tourism Talanoa (FTT)
The Ministry of Tourism said the Fiji Tourism Talanoa will not be held this year due to the general elections.
Mr Seeto said, however, with the organising committee of which FHTA was a members, have indicated they preferred two years, one before and one after the Budget.
This was preferred to provide the platform for the industry to raise relevant concerns and issues at this forum. “Outcomes of the FTT was being prepared for Cabinet approval so that these outcomes could be formalised into action plans.”
Fijian Tourism 2021
A clear tourism vision to implement sustainable yield driven strategies to grow tourism demand and financial returns while enhancing the quality of the visitor experience and all Fijians quality of life.
This was part of a substantial submission made by FHTA to the Tourism Development Plan (titled Fijian Tourism 2021) after seeking input from members.
“The association wanted synchronisation of all facets and sectors involved with the tourism industry to ensure that the maximum economic benefit was achieved for the country and the tourism industry.”
Hotel Data Collection System (HDCS)
Mr Seeto said concerns have been raised by the Ministry of Tourism on difficulties faced with accessing the portal of inputting data
amongst other issues.
He said the testing phase of the HSCS portal with some of their members had been completed.
“A board sub-committee has been having discussions with the Ministry relating to potential problems in the implementation of this.”
“Discussions are continuing pending finalisation of Government policy on how this will be implemented and more importantly the integrity and security of the shared data that other entities like FRCS, FNPF, RBF and the Fiji Bureau of Statistics also collect.”