SUVA, June 19 (Xinhua) -- A Fijian minister said on Friday that uncertainties remain over Fiji's tourism industry.
According to Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (FBC), Fiji's Minister for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport Faiyaz Siddiq Koya said that it is impossible to forecast when the travel industry will begin to rally against the impact of COVID-19.
"There is so much uncertainty. There's no time-frame that the government could give to say we can open on this date," he said.
With borders staying closed and flights grounded, even when travel resumes, it will take time for passenger confidence to bounce back, the minister said, adding that even when tourists return, he doesn't see a mad rush of visitors wanting to holiday in the island nation.
As the backbone of the Fijian economy, tourism is the most important industry with the biggest foreign exchange earner, with 40 percent of the country's GDP depending on tourism which employs around 150,000 people directly and indirectly.
The island nation has in recent years received more than 800,000 visitors per year. The Fijian government had also set a goal of developing the tourism industry to a 2.2 billion Fijian dollars (about 1 billion U.S. dollar) industry by 2021.
The COVID-19 has serious impact on Fiji's tourism. With travel restrictions imposed to stop the spread of the deadly virus, the industry, which has already laid off about 40,000 people, has been at a standstill for the past months, and more lay-offs are likely before things improve.
While asking Fiji to be included in a planned travel bubble between Australia and New Zealand in the coming months, Fiji also launched early this month the "Love Our Locals Fiji" campaign to help the tourism industry.
The campaign, championed by Tourism Fiji with the full support of the Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport, embraces the spirit of love through action.
It takes inspiration from Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama's call to action over one year ago and asks Fijians to rally behind local restaurants, tour operators and hotels to show support for Fiji by supporting Fijian Made products and holidaying here at home. Enditem
