";s:4:"text";s:4955:" The proposed measures in Fiji’s so called ‘ Supplementary COVID-19 Response Budget ’ are expected to cushion the economy from a severe downturn caused by disruptions due to the spread of COVID-19. But even if the worst-case health scenario is avoided, a Tourism contributes nearly 40% to Fiji’s gross domestic product – about FJ$2bn (AU$1.4bn) – and directly or indirectly employs over 150,000 people in various industries. Some reefs have suffered irreversible damage. Last year, Fiji Airways, the country’s national airline, has grounded 95% of flights amid travel restrictions and border closures around the world and the Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association (FHTA) says a staggering 279 hotels and resorts have closed since the outbreak reached Fiji, causing more than 25,000 to lose their jobs, particularly in the western part of the country’s main island, the hub of the industry and the gateway to many resort islands.“This will be catastrophic,” says Tony Whitton, managing director of Rosie Holidays and Ahura Resorts. Tourism in Fiji is a seriously important industry for their economy. I have spoken to some people in Fiji during my stay here and one person said that they think that tourism is necessary for their economy. Poor and less-developed countries use tourism in the hope that it will address their economic problems with the economic activity that it brings. Some people in Fiji look at tourists negatively as the tourist development increases. The Rosie Group plans to reduce its workforce from about 600 workers to 40 essential staff in the coming weeks.“My view is that it will take one year at least – so until the end of 2021 – just for the industry to recover and we won’t see growth until at least 2022,” he said, adding that any recovery in the industry will depend on when source markets such as Australia and New Zealand open their borders again.The knock-on effect of these job cuts will be enormous. “We are watching closely.” Although political unrest in the first years of the 21st century caused a steep drop in visitor numbers, the sector rebounded, and tourism remains a …
I have tried to be a positive impact on Fiji while I have been here; I have not littered and have tried hard not to destroy or affect the environment. But tonight, the dining room of the hotel, one of the most popular in Fiji’s capital, which normally buzzes with the dinner rush, stands empty,Looking lost amid the empty tables is waiter Samuela Yavala.“I’ve been in the industry for a good 19 years and I have never seen anything like this,” he says.Before the coronavirus crisis, Yavala could make FJ$300 (£106) a week after overtime and tips, which is relatively high for country with a minimum wage of FJ$2.68 an hour for unskilled workers. Lots of the coral reefs there are badly affected by constant tourist attention and the environment is being badly damaged. All rights reserved. Some reefs have suffered irreversible damage. As … Without the constant flow of tourists lots of Fijians would not have a job. This study investigated the perceptions of the tourism industry to environmental management issues in Fiji. Tourism is Fiji's largest industry, earning over F$500 million in foreign exchange and employing around 40,000 people. The tourism in Fiji impacts a lot on many parts of the country. Lots of the coral reefs there are badly affected by constant tourist attention and the environment is being badly damaged. Tourism is Fiji’s leading economic activity. It’s a number that is quickly rising. The expansion of tourism, which generates more expenditure in the economy, is likely to have implications for other industries.