Government in recent times has provided a number of initiatives in its efforts to boost the tourism sector.
Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama says the unprecedented and consistent budgeting of Tourism Fiji, the name change of Fiji Visitors Bureau to Tourism Fiji, the VAT refund scheme and the tax free zone are some initiatives that Government has introduced recently, which has seen the number of visitors rise dramatically.
Other initiatives include the participation of i-Taukei landowners as equity holders in hotel properties, the relaxation of foreign investment rules, zero rating of tourism items, duty concessions on tourism related equipment such as jet ski’s, yachts and buses, and the introduction of the Super Yacht Decree are such initiatives and drivers.
“The modernisation of our laws and policies and infrastructure development also has a positive impact on the tourism sector,” he said.
“The equal distribution of land lease monies from i-Taukei owned lands, the modernisation of our penal code, the upgrading of our roads and water systems and the introduction of the Domestic Violence Decree all have either directly or indirectly and positively impacted properties, new tourism development, problems related to staffing and social justice issues.”
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