THE ban on cruise liners caused by COVID-19 has impacted on a rural Lautoka community which depends on tourists as a major source of income – but residents say they support the move to ban the ships.

Abaca villagers have been operating traditional village tours for a number of years and one of their biggest source markets was cruise liners that berthed at the Queen’s Wharf.

Village elder Napolioni Saukitoga said earnings from cruise liner passenger tours accounted for about 40 per cent of their eco-tourism business.

“Every time there is a cruise ship in Lautoka, we always prepare ourselves for it because we know there will be a group coming,” he said.

“Some of them pre-book but others just come on their own in taxis.

“It will be really hard to try and find another source of income that can earn the same kind of money.”

Mr Saukitoga said they would try to find alternative markets to sustain their business.

He added that despite the impact on their business, villagers were glad Government had taken steps to minimise the risks for Fiji.

“This disease is really affecting a lot of sectors not just ours.

“I believe we can recover from this. It’s good that Government is taking this step.”