17 Aug 2007

Fiji hotelier slams interim administration for not supporting tourist industry

9:51 am on 17 August 2007

There is renewed criticism of Fiji's interim administration for failing to help the tourism industry.

The managing director of the Shangri-La Fijian Resort, Radike Qereqeretabua, says there had been much talk with no meaning and no productive action by the interim government.

He says tourism industry leaders made numerous presentations to the government and had finally been promised 1-point-2 million US dollars for promotion.

But, he says, while all this talking is going on, hotel rooms and airline seats are vacant.

Mr Qereqeretabua says if vacant seats and vacant rooms are not sold, there is no tomorrow.

He says tourism is the key to immediate economic growth and the government should demonstrate action and not talk.