Fuel crisis a chance to woo Aussie, NZ tourists: FETA chief

Fiji's ongoing fuel situation, triggered by tensions in the Middle East, could actually work in the country's favour by drawing more tourists from Australia and New Zealand, the head of the country's top tourism awards body says.

Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards (FETA) chairperson Debra Sadranu said while the fuel situation would hurt parts of the tourism industry, Fiji should treat it as an opportunity.

"Fiji can look at this as an opportune time to be able to look at our closer destinations like Australia and New Zealand, who now won't spend money to travel further afield because of the expensive flights and travel," Ms Sadranu said.

"So that's going to encourage them to come to Fiji."

She warned, however, that operators must resist pushing prices too high, or risk losing that advantage.

Bus operators, taxis, marine businesses and resorts reliant on generators were among those expected to feel the pinch most from the 35 per cent rise in fuel costs.

"Clearly there's going to be an impact," Ms Sadranu said.

"But we know that Fiji is resilient and we will get through this and we know that it's temporary."

Fiji Development Bank chief executive officer Filimone Waqabaca said the bank had already reached out to affected clients – particularly bus operators – offering loan restructuring and repayment holidays to ease the pressure.

"We've reached out to our clients and asked them to come and talk with us if there is a need for some assistance to help cushion the shock from the fuel price increases," Mr Waqabaca said.

He encouraged any FDB client struggling with rising fuel costs to contact the bank early, warning that delayed communication limited the help the bank could offer.