Tourism Money To Benefit Junta

A frequent visitor to the Fiji Islands sums up how many tourists feel about visiting our friendly shores:-

Frank Egger’s letter to the editor (FT 13/07) says:-

From articles and letters in your newspaper, it seems it is widely assumed that fear for safety is the main factor deterring tourists from visiting Fiji.

In my opinion, there are more important factors deterring tourists.

Fiji is probably a safe destination for visitors but only if the leaders they keep their mouths shut and refrain from commenting on the political situation.

It is widely known that anyone who disapproves of the present dictatorship could be subjected to coerced interrogation.

An unguarded comment overheard by a government spy could turn a holiday into a disaster.

Moreover, as a matter of principle, many potential visitors would not want their money used to support a totalitarian regime.

Although I lived in Fiji for 10 years, I would not consider visiting Fiji while it is under dictatorship.

Because of items I had published while I lived in Fiji, my support for the democratic government is well known and I might be detained in Fiji for weeks while being interrogated.

The risk may be small, but I choose not to accept it.

Tourism will never recover until democracy is restored.

Frank Eggers
Albuquerque
New Mexico

HnC thanks Mr Eggers for his forthright views on Fiji’s current political situation - from a tourist’s perspective.

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