ANDRE VILJOEN CONFIRMS
140 tourism operators register for Government rebate
CHARLES CHAMBERS
The Fijian Government’s Recovery Rebate Package Programme (RRP Programme) for the tourism industry has attracted 140 resorts and hotels.
The 140 tourism operators have registered their interest with the programme.
The revelation by managing director and chief executive officer of Fiji Airways Andre Viljoen was made during talks of the Fiji Airways Bula Bubble Campaign, which is designed to stimulate the recovery of the Fijian tourism industry.
Speaking at the Nadi Chamber of Commerce and Industry business forum, Mr Viljoen said the airline looked forward to working with participating tourism stakeholders to get the Fiji Airways Bula Bubble Campaign underway.
Recovery Rebate Package Programme
The 2020-2021 National Budget unveiled the establishment of a $60 million RRP Programme, to
assist Fiji Airways and hotels create compelling and competitive holiday packages to entice holiday makers .
“A key objective of the RRP Programme is to maximise the number of potential tourists during the anticipated Bula Bubble travel corridor,” Mr Viljoen said.
“The RRP Programme will be administered by Fiji Airways, and only relate to holiday packages flown on Fiji Airways.
“The holiday packages created must be enormously compelling in
price and value to entice holiday makers to visit Fiji.
“The RRP Programme $60 million will be paid as a travel stipend of $400 per passenger in cash for the first 150,000 passengers who have travelled and stayed in Fiji.” Hotels and resorts are strongly encouraged to provide fully-inclusive hotel packages, which include accommodation, all meals and all beverages.
The RRP Programme is available to all hotels and is an Opt-in or Opt-out Programme for any Fijian
hotel that meets the qualifying rules (QR).
Travel Stipend Validity
Travel stipend will only be paid if the hotel package is combined with a Fiji Airways airfare.
Travel stipend of $400 will be only be paid after the passenger has travelled and stayed in Fiji.
There will be a holiday package pricing which meets the minimum discount requirement of 45 per cent before all the 2020/2021 National Budget Tax reductions.
Other conditions are:
Airfare - a minimum discount of 45 per cent on the average airfares sold by Fiji Airways in 2019;
Hotel package for an allinclusive accommodation, all meals and all beverages allows a minimum discount of 45 per cent on the hotel’s average rate accommodation rates charged in 2019, as well as a minimum discount of 45 per cent on hotel meals and beverage prices charged in 2019.
Minimum sale period for the campaign will be three to six months, and can be extended based on prevailing market conditions.
No fees for changes in itinerary up to December 31, 2021, subject to future availability. Hotels must meet minimum coronavirus (COVID-19) health and safety risk prevention measures Stay Ready measures, prescribed by the Tourism Fiji CareFIJI Commitment Programme.