1 May 2009

Resort manager in Fiji says 2009 is a difficult year

11:06 am on 1 May 2009

A resort manager in Fiji says 2009 is looking like being the worst year in the last ten.

The Sales and Market manager of "The Pearl" resort Raumati Wikaire says so far the boutique facility she works for has not had to cut cost and has been able to retain its staff.

But Ms Wikaire says they are now focusing on markets outside the traditional ones of Australia and New Zealand:

"2009 is particularly a difficult year where there aren't a lot of forward bookings at all. What was on the books previously a lo of that was cancelled from the floods in January, and it's due to the economic crisis, people are not thinking too far ahead."

Fiji's larger hotels with many rooms to fill are discounting heavily in an effort to boost business and many have had to cut back workers and staff hours.