Logical approach
THE Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association (FHTA) says the implications of COVID-19 on the Fijian economy are enormous, particularly its devastating effects on the tourism industry.
FHTA chief executive officer Fantasha Lockington said most of the SMEs in the industry would continue to struggle to cope or remain open in the next three to six months.
“… and some of our affiliates will not be able to survive this decline in business and will, most assuredly, remain closed when this pandemic passes,” she said.
The association yesterday described the Supplementary Budget as a logical initial approach to the situation to contain the spread and offer immediate assistance.
Ms Lockington acknowledged that Government was considering some of the challenges that the tourism sector had been sharing on the current economic climate.
“We can see that the budget considers the plight of our most valuable assets — our employees.
“These workers will now have access to their Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) contributions if they have been affected by the travel bans and city lockdowns and we sincerely hope that Government will consider replacing these funds for the employees later.
“Workers will also get 3 per cent more in their pay packets, when they return to work at a later date with reduced FNPF portions now payable.
“This also benefits employers for now, with the reduction of the 10 per cent contribution to 5 per cent,” she said.
She said the FHTA recognised it was a very fast-moving worldwide calamity and not everything could be done at once.
“But more will have to be done to get our key industry back on its feet.”
Ms Lockington however expressed the association’s disappointment on the fact that no extra funding was allocated to Tourism Fiji to assist with Fiji’s messaging to drive tourism once things settle.