30 Apr 2009

Fiji Hoteliers Association expects tourist numbers to pick up

11:49 am on 30 April 2009

The Fiji Hoteliers Association expects tourist numbers to pick up from next month onward.

Fiji Live reports the association's president Dixon Seeto saying it is entering the traditional peak period from May to June which should be a good platform to work from.

Mr Seeto says there will only be slight changes to tourist numbers soon after the devaluation.

He says it's early days but the authority hopes to see an increase in visitor arrivals once the concept of the extra value from the devaluation sinks into potential visitors minds.

He says the devaluation will assist the tourism industry as it will make Fiji more competitively priced against its competitors especially in the South Pacific and Asia.

He says the other factor the association hopes will assist the tourism industry's recovery is the conversion of long haul to short haul destinations.