Nadi chamber adopts new strategies

LITIA MATHEWSELL
Nadi
The harassment of tourists in Nadi Town will see the Nadi Chamber of Commerce and Industry adopting a number of strategies to address this issue.
Businesshouses had raised complaints about some hawkers and touters going to the extent of boarding buses forcing tourists to make purchases.
Following a meeting with Police this week, chamber president Dr Ram Raju said strategies had to be adopted to prevent this. Some strategies include engaging with authorities to allocate more officers, manpower and vehicles for Nadi Town, so other criminal activities could also be curtailed.
The chamber also wants touters to be well dressed and mannered, with proper identification cards and to be more diplomatic like tour guides instead of harassing tourists.
“They should stop boarding buses to pick on the tourists and there should be price controls on all handicraft items to stop exorbitant prices or rip offs that tourists often find out later and bitterly complain about,” he said.
The chamber is also encouraging the installation of closed circuit television cameras in all strategic areas and business houses, to be monitored by Police.
A prominent Chamber member said they strongly felt that a law must be enacted and jobs could be found for all the touters. However, he said some touters are used to making $100-$500 a day.
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