7 Nov 2013

Shut down Fiji tourism operator pleas for officials to meet with him

6:51 pm on 7 November 2013

The owner of the Fiji tourist attraction shut down by the government says his attempts to meet with the attorney general to have him explain his actions have been unsuccessful.

Cloud 9 is a floating bar and restaurant near a world-renowned surfing break, known as Cloudbreak, in western Viti Levu.

It was forced to close after the government announced it contravened the surfing decree which stipulates that any commercial venture in such area be confined to surfing and water sports.

In a statement through his lawyers Cloud 9's owner, Tony Philp, says they want to meet with officials to point out that the business is operating legally.

He says all 13 licences for the Cloud 9 operation were approved.

Mr Philp denies its pontoon pollutes the environment and since it is moored on a sandy bottom poses no threat to any reefs.

He says the authorities have been misinformed and if they meet with Cloud 9 they will change their views of the operation.