Key issues on agenda
DISCUSSIONS at a high-level meeting between the Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association (FHTA) government highlighted the pre-pandemic industry’s achievements and how the industry is faring 13 months after Fiji reopened its borders.
A media release from FHTA yesterday said the delegation from FHTA met the new Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka with Assistant Minister Alitia Bainivalu yesterday.
It said key issues discussed included tax policies, infrastructure development, a renewed tourism development plan, employment and overseas migration concerns, and government policy initiatives.
The FHTA delegation led by FHTA chief executive officer Fantasha Lockington and key members of the FHTA Board of Directors held discussions which also focused on recommendations regarding opportunities for policies to support the industry’s continued success, acknowledging the key role this would play in the recovery of the Fijian economy.
Ms Lockington said the tourism industry would continue to strive towards positively contributing to the objectives of the state’s plan to achieve comprehensive and sustainable economic development, pointing to the Ministry of Tourism’s desire to foster a consultative and collaborative relationship with relevant stakeholders when issuing legislation and approving laws supporting the national economy.
She said the FHTA was excited to work closely with the Government to continue advancing Fiji’s tourism industry to its preeminent position in the region.
According to the statement the objective of the meeting was to brief the minister and his team, in order to provide first-hand updates on the state of the tourism industry from the perspective of top tourism operators and related stakeholders.
FHTA board members provid- ed an assessment of the important role of the tourism indus- try in supporting the national economy, as well as the ongoing challenges facing the sector.