By RACHNA LAL
Tourism operators around the country are on standby in case the tropical depression we are currently facing develops into a tropical cyclone.
Fiji Hotels and Tourism Association president, Dixon Seeto, said: “We are on standby and we have been communicating as an industry.”
Mr Seeto said they are also in constant touch with the Permanent Secretary for Tourism, Elizabeth Powell, who is the chairperson of the committee which manages such events.
“We have been in touch and we are gathering information on who is where etc so we can better handle the situation if this does develop,” he said.
“Currently it is a tropical depression and it’s not a cyclone as yet and the winds, though strong, are not damaging as yet.
“But we are hoping that the depression will move across to the East of Fiji and then move away.”
Nevertheless, Mr Seeto said by now most of the hotels have taken precautions as to what they should be doing.
“The good thing is there has been warning about this weather from many days,” he said.
“Therefore, many of the hotels and resorts have taken precautions already about handling these things.”
Not the first
Mr Seeto highlighted the association has faced such events previously and this was not the first time.
“It is a repeat of what we have faced many times over,” he said.
“So we are just waiting and if the system develops, we will the wait for the Permanent Secretary’s (Ms Powell) instructions.
“We will manage this situation as we have managed many times before.”
When asked on the number of tourists in Fiji, Mr Seeto said they are gathering information on this.
“But all hotels and resorts are making all efforts to look after their guests and ensure they are comfortable. We are getting information slowly,” he said.
Dixon Seeto.