Tourism Fiji chief executive Brent Hill says the industry is keen on seeing the two major properties in Nadi renovated and open.
The Pullman Nadi Bay Resort and Spa and Westin Denarau Island Resort & Spa have been closed for major renovation works since COVID and are expected to reopen later this year.
“Yes! We’re very keen to see these properties renovated and open,” Mr Hill said.
“The finish dates are still a way off yet, but we would love for them to go as quickly as possible – we need them!”
In Nadi last week, major tourism operator Tony Whitton also expressed the same concerns and indicated that Fiji would not be able to go back to its pre-pandemic visitor arrival numbers until there were more available rooms to sell.
Mr Whitton said about 500 rooms were offline as a result of renovation at the two major properties.
The Rosie Travel Group and Ahura Resorts managing director said local tourism stakeholders needed to realise that many competitor markets had not fully re-opened last year and this may change this year, as competitors would be aggressively pursuing their markets, offering cheap airfares and hotel packages to lure them away from Fiji.
Tourism Minister Viliame Gavoka also indicated that there were concerns that the industry may not be able to cater for the increase in visitor arrivals expected this year.
He said after recent consultations with tourism stakeholders in the Western Division and forecasts that the first quarter arrivals would be the best ever in Fiji’s history, it was found there was a real need for more resorts and hotels.
