Tourism Happy, Says Hill

The tourism sector has wel­comed the 2021-2022 revised national Budget.

Tourism Fiji said it was grateful for the allocation towards their budget, which would allow an im­mediate marketing injection to maintain the strong momentum building.

“All up, the tourism industry has been heard, with results that prom­ise really meaningful changes,” chief executive officer, Brent Hill said.

“We’re really pleased with any initiatives that help make interna­tional travel simply less expensive, and more attractive.

“The elimination of the three-night minimum stay is significant, as it was very often mistaken for a quarantine regulation.

“The move opens up Fiji to fully vaccinated travelers anywhere, rather than just Travel Partner Countries.

“Non-Travel Partner Countries are especially welcomed.

“It is the optional mask-wearing and full capacity for venues that have had a real tough two-plus years.”

Tourism Fiji chief executive officer, Brent Hill, has a reason to smile.

“Our really big issue after the 50 per cent increase in the national minimum wage is how to mitigate it, when we have chronic absentee­ism and very poor productivity in Fiji.

“If the Government gave us the employment tools in the Employ­ment Relations Act to deal with these two problems, we just might be able to find a way to man­age with a $4 national minimum wage.”

The council has suggested a pro­ductivity commission as a good first step.

“While it will only help identify some of the causes, we need the Employment Relations Act tools to deal with it,” Mr Towler said.

Mark One Apparel

Mark One Apparel said the budg­et was well-crafted and fit-for-pur­pose under very exceptional cir­cumstances.

Managing director, Mark Halabe, said the 46 per cent increase in the national minimum wage made the the next nine months “an incred­ible challenge” for the industry.

“As exporters, we are price-tak­ers, unlike domestic businesses that can pass-on all increases.

“Our export customers are not bound to Fiji.

“They can and will make alterna­tive supply from other countries as our prices become too expensive.

“Our industry have been now giv­en the most challenging task I have experienced over the last 35 years.

“I am up for the challenge, and I will be very focused on managing it as best as possible.”

The manufacturing sector employees an estimated 8000 people.

The Government has provided a $100,000 marketing grant for the next three years.

The grant would secure market expansion for the council, the Gov­ernment said.

Customs entry fees for the sector will be waivered for commercial consignments below $1500.

Tourism Fiji received an allo­cation of $1.5 million of which $700,000 was expected to be used to bring back workers to five full working week days.

Feedback: frederica.elbourne@fijisun.com.fj