Fiji Airways Boeing 737-700 which will be used to service the Suva-Sydney-Suva flights.
Business and tourism sector excited with the return of this Fiji Airways service
RACHNA LAL
SUVA
Business and tourism sector representatives are overjoyed with the introduction of Fiji Airways’ Suva-Sydney-Suva flights from tomorrow.
Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association president, Dixon Seeto, said when previously the service was operating, it had quite a strong following.
“It had a very strong following especially by the business sector and the diplomatic sector who wanted to come to Suva which is the capital for their business,” he said.
“With this new direct service, it would surely develop traffic other than business.
“There are a lot of people who come to Suva and we hope to develop some tourist traffic as well.”
Mr Seeto is confident this service will bring in more tourists, not only to Suva, but also Pacific Harbour, Korovou-Rakiraki and the greater Eastern area overall.
“It is not only Suva per se – it is the area around the capital and extending out into the country that will become accessible,” he said.
“They might prefer to stay in hotels closer to Suva because Suva is just the entry point but the surrounds even as far as Pacific Habour, the Navua attractions and going to Tailevu etc.
“So Suva will become the base for the Eastern parts.”
Development and revival
Mr Seeto further believes the Suva-Sydney-Suva service might also see more development along the Korovou to Rakiraki corridor which is more accessible from the central side.
“Government already has tax free incentives in place for development in some of these areas,” Mr Seeto said.
“So this new service can be a catalyst for a lot of good things and a lot of development for this part of Fiji and also going into the future.”
Mr Seeto feels the service can also revive tourism in Pacific Harbour.
“You have Nanuku Resort coming up and you have the Pearl of the South Pacific development already in Pacific Harbour and it would develop more once the demand starts to build up,” he said.
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