A combination of torrential rains and theglobal financial crisis has put Fiji on course for its quietest tourist seasonon record, according to a Sydney Morning Herald report.
Tourism heads say visitor numbers from itstwo biggest source markets, Australia and New Zealand, are well down thissummer. In addition to the crippling impact of the global economic crisis, Fijihas had to cope with storms that have killed eleven people, as well asdestroying homes and business.
Fiji Islands Hotels Association President,Dixon Seeto, said the extensive January flooding in the country’s west andnorth had been the biggest deterrent for tourists.
“This is our low season anyway, so we usuallyhave fewer people here, but this low season is extremely quiet,” Seeto wasreported saying. “The global financial situation is playing a part in it, I’msure, but a lot of it is probably because of the rains and all the negativepublicity they’ve had.”
Tourism Fiji Chairman, Patrick Wong, ratedthe current situation “the worst since the industry’s formation”, but addedthat an aggressive new tourism campaign launched in the past week was boostingbookings for February and March.
“Our marketing’s just started now and we areoptimistic of the future even though it’s tough to make predictions now, giventhe circumstances surrounding the global economy,” he was reported tellingthe Fiji Sun newspaper.
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