Finance Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has been praised for a fair and balanced budget that boosts the critically important Tourism Industry.
Starwood Pacific area general manager for Fiji and Samoa Shane Cunning said “A lot of the hotels now especially in the higher peaks of June, July, August, September and October are basically pretty close to being full.
“Therefore, the extra incentives will help hotels expand in size. It should lead to more investment in hotel building.”
He added other changes noted is Government’s commitment to infrastructure. With the new roads being built, bridges and water supply.
“Also in terms of tourism the record amount allocated was $30 million to Tourism Fiji for marketing,” Mr Cunning said.
Starwood Fiji is a chain of hotels consisting of Sheraton Fiji Resort and Spa, Sheraton Denarau Villas and the Westin Denarau Island Resort and Spa.
These integrated properties are part of one of the world’s biggest hotel and resort operators, the American-based Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide.

Partnership
The Government has allocated $18 million to Fiji Airways to assist launch its new Nadi – Singapore – Nadi including on its new Airbus A330 300 aircraft from April.
Mr Cunning stressed the benefit the tourism industry as a whole will gain from this new venture.
“Singapore is the hub for many countries flying in there. So with us being able to fly to Singapore that will only increase the visitor arrivals quite significantly,” he said.
“The Singapore flight will benefit the local market.”
Mr Cunning said with the activities currently happening in the tourism industry and the incentives brought forth by the budget growth can be expected.
“We are expecting an eight per cent growth across the group over next year. However this year has been a record year.”