The Nadi Chamber of Commerce and Industry has called for the activation of a tourism unit by police in Nadi following multiple complaints from tourists about harassment in the town. This response comes after various discontented tourists shared their negative experiences on social media platforms, prompting action from chamber members.
The chamber noted that travelers are increasingly vocal about their discomforts online, especially in popular groups on Facebook. One tourist recently reported an alarming incident in the “Fiji Holiday – Information Group,” which boasts around 35,000 members, where she claimed she was forcibly dragged into a shop to buy handicrafts. Similar concerns have been raised in another Facebook group, “Fiji Island Holidaying Discussion Group,” which has over 61,000 members.
Dr. Ram Raju, president of the Nadi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stated that these complaints highlight a serious issue that could harm Nadi’s reputation as a tourist destination. He emphasized that many tourists prefer to voice their grievances on social media instead of filing formal complaints with the police, as they wish to avoid complications with the legal system during their limited stay.
Dr. Raju urged stakeholders to take proactive measures to prevent such incidents in the future, advocating for a stronger police presence and regular patrols to deter unscrupulous vendors. The chamber is currently seeking clarification from Tourism Fiji and the Fiji Police Force regarding their approach to this situation.
In response, Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka acknowledged the concerns and committed to addressing them. He pointed out that tourism is thriving in the area and assured that necessary steps would be taken to ensure tourist safety. Mr. Gavoka downplayed the severity of the issue, attributing it to a few overly aggressive sellers but promised to investigate further and implement solutions.