Local Tourist Claims Unfair Treatment At Mudpool Spot

Ambitesh Singh just wanted to give his father, Uday Raj, who had travelled from the United States of America, a Diwali he could remember.

However, all that turned sour when his family was confronted oddly at the Saika Hot Spring and Mud Pool in Sabeto.

Mr Singh claims and his family had visited the site on the morning of October 23, hoping for some quality time.

Upon arrival, the family paid the fees and proceeded inside the site. Mr Singh’s father suffered from a stroke, for which he was aided by a wheelchair.

“Since my father was in a wheelchair one of the female staff sought help from another male staff to assist my father,” Mr Singh said.

“And at the same instant, that male staff stood from one corner and shouted for us to go home, and return in the afternoon, that male staff said that they only serve tourists there.

“I enquired why this had happened, but I was told for us to go back home then return later around 6pm.”

Mr Singh claims as they approached the pool, a male pool attendant shouted at the family.

“I told the man why he was shouting, I requested for them just to give us a chance since some of us were preparing to change while some had already changed,” he said.

“I told them, if this was the case, they should have informed us when they collected our fees.”

Mr Singh said he was flabbergasted with the treatment.

This was the first the family had ever visited the place.

“For me I was really struck with shame because we were preparing to change and head to the pool when that happened,” Mr Singh said.

“My parents are just here for holiday, they will be returning soon, it was really embarrassing.”

Response

Pool manager, Lui Borivosa said the family had misunderstood its long-standing policy.

“Our policy is, when one person visits the pool, we will not stop them from accessing the pool but we rather advise them to wait, once the pool is empty then they can go ,” Mr Borivosa said.

"Mr Borivosa was queried on why there is a split hours for locals and tourists," he said

“Prior to Sunday’s event, Tourists had been giving feedback about their discomfort when it comes to ‘sick’ people also present in the pool”.

“We have received feedback from tourists of their discomfort regarding any person who might be sick to also be in the pool,” Mr Borivosa said.

“Our local fee is $10 whereas for tourists it is $30.”

Story by: jone.salusalu@fijisun.com.fj