There is a lot of space available for tourism development in Macuata Province, says Labasa Tourism Association President Paul Parmanand Jaduram.

He said this after following Valebasoga Tropik Board Limited’s plan to construct a three storey hotel outside Labasa Town next year.

Mr Jaduram said: “I am glad that our own people from Labasa choose to invest in the tourism industry.”

He said sometimes all rooms in the nine hotels in Labasa are booked.

“For example this week we had Diwali and Vodafone Fijian Sevens two national teams and officials and I was told that all the rooms in Labasa were booked,” Mr Jaduram said.

The hotels in Labasa are Takia Hotel, Friendly North Inn, Grand Eastern Hotel, two NorthPole Hotels, Hotel 88, Riverview Hotel, Royale Lodge and Hotel Northwinds.

Despite receiving the positive news on development Mr Jaduram said he was very concerned as this year tourism growth was not as expected.

“There have not been many tourists booking rooms in Labasa,” he said.

“Tourists from Savusavu normally make a day’s trip to tour around the Labasa town and leaves immediately.

“Rooms are usually occupied by those who organise workshops, Government employees and ministers who travel from Suva to attend meetings in Labasa and when far distance football or rugby teams participate in big games at Subrail Park.”

He said people have a perspective that hoteliers make a lot of money but it was not true.

“There are lot of expenses to cover and Labasa is a town, not a city where there would be continues flow of visitors,” Mr Jaduram said.

He hopes that 2016 would be a better year.

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