The promulgation of the new Surfing Decree will provide employment opportunities for locals says Attorney General, Mr Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
He adds that Government together with Tourism Fiji, Fiji Islands Hotel and Tourism Association and the Fiji Surfing Association will promote surfing in the country to attract more surfers to our shores.
" Free access and use of all surfing areas in Fiji to all tourists and Fijians provides a wonderful opportunity to all Fijians, including the i-taukei landowners in the proximity of this surfing areas to profit directly and indirectly by way of engaging in businesses themselves as apposed to relying on handouts from hotel operators in charging premium rates for their clients,"Mr.Sayed-Khaiyum said.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum reiterated that the surfing industry is a global US $10billion business and the opening up of surfing in Fiji will attract an additional 20,000 tourists to Fiji every year in time to come.
Government together with Fiji Surfing Association, the governing body of Surfers in Fiji is committed to the development and sustainability of surfing in the country.
Fiji Surfing Association is also an affiliate of the Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (FASANOC) and the International Surfing Association.
The decree paves way for all Fijians to now engage in profit-making through the surfing industry as surf operators, life saving specialists, hotels, back-packer resorts and home stays.