THE Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association (FHTA) has rejected Government’s characterisation of the tourism industry’s concerns over the Tourism Services Tax as “delaying tactics” and potential “sabotage”, saying its objection is focused on the treatment of visitors who booked their Fiji holidays before the tax was announced.
The association’s CEO, Fantasha Lockington, said they support Fiji Airways and recognise the importance of Government’s support for the national airline.
However, she said the industry cannot accept the application of the additional 5 per cent charge to existing bookings, particularly where visitors had already paid for their holidays.
FHTA said it specifically sought an assurance during consultation that pre-existing bookings would be exempt, consistent with the treatment of existing bookings when the previous Service Turnover Tax was introduced.
According to the association, that assurance was later overturned in the final legislation and guidance.
FHTA said at least one multi-room group booking has already been cancelled and rebooked to another destination because of the additional charge.
“Every cancelled booking is a passenger who was going to fly Fiji Airways to get here, and now won’t,” Ms Lockington said.
The association is not calling for the Tourism Services Tax to be scrapped. Instead, it wants Government to exempt bookings made and paid for before the tax was announced.
FHTA also clarified that it withdrew from the Tourism Action Group on July 4, 2026 and said TAG’s support for the tax does not represent FHTA’s position.
“We are simply asking Government to keep its word.”
