Be Fair to Tourists
Be fair to tourists, Tourism Fiji urges
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
TOURISM Fiji is pleading with shop owners and traders to be responsible and not exploit tourists by selling them faulty goods.
Chairman Patrick Wong said the shopping experience was an important part of any tourists' holidays.
Reacting to claims made by an Australian couple that they were cheated when buying a tanoa in Nadi, Mr Wong said it was important that the sellers meet the demands of any buyer.
The couple paid $200 for a tanoa, which they claimed was made from inferior material. They said they only found out the tanoa was varnished with shoe polish when they returned to their home country.
They told all their friends and co-workers of their experience in Fiji.
"Imagine if everybody who holidayed in Fiji never spent a cent on handicraft because they were cheated by dishonest shopkeepers on a previous holiday," they said.
The couple said they were frequent travellers and believed that a few people could ruin the craft trade. They vowed they would never purchase handicraft on future trips.
Mr Wong said it was unfortunate because all efforts were made by the tourism industry to encourage travellers to experience Fiji -- and this included interaction with all businesses operating in the country.
He said cruise liners have avoided visiting certain ports because of negative experiences at those ports.
Mr Wong stressed that the multiplier effect of the tourism dollar must be encouraged.
"As reported by the Reserve Bank of Fiji, each tourist dollar spent, generates a further $0.75 cents in the local community," he said.
"Standards are important with any buyer and Fiji has to be seen as 'value for money' and delivery of visitor 'expectations' is most important in satisfying the demands by visitors to our shores."
Nadi Town Council special administrator Aisea Tuidraki said business owners must be honest in their dealings. Mr Tuidraki said the council did not have the power to monitor any
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
TOURISM Fiji is pleading with shop owners and traders to be responsible and not exploit tourists by selling them faulty goods.
Chairman Patrick Wong said the shopping experience was an important part of any tourists' holidays.
Reacting to claims made by an Australian couple that they were cheated when buying a tanoa in Nadi, Mr Wong said it was important that the sellers meet the demands of any buyer.
The couple paid $200 for a tanoa, which they claimed was made from inferior material. They said they only found out the tanoa was varnished with shoe polish when they returned to their home country.
They told all their friends and co-workers of their experience in Fiji.
"Imagine if everybody who holidayed in Fiji never spent a cent on handicraft because they were cheated by dishonest shopkeepers on a previous holiday," they said.
The couple said they were frequent travellers and believed that a few people could ruin the craft trade. They vowed they would never purchase handicraft on future trips.
Mr Wong said it was unfortunate because all efforts were made by the tourism industry to encourage travellers to experience Fiji -- and this included interaction with all businesses operating in the country.
He said cruise liners have avoided visiting certain ports because of negative experiences at those ports.
Mr Wong stressed that the multiplier effect of the tourism dollar must be encouraged.
"As reported by the Reserve Bank of Fiji, each tourist dollar spent, generates a further $0.75 cents in the local community," he said.
"Standards are important with any buyer and Fiji has to be seen as 'value for money' and delivery of visitor 'expectations' is most important in satisfying the demands by visitors to our shores."
Nadi Town Council special administrator Aisea Tuidraki said business owners must be honest in their dealings. Mr Tuidraki said the council did not have the power to monitor any