The Nadi Chamber of Commerce and Industry has urged the police to reactivate their tourism unit in Nadi after receiving multiple complaints of tourist harassment in the area. This call to action arises following numerous social media posts from dissatisfied tourists sharing their negative experiences in Nadi Town.
In a statement, the chamber highlighted that the complaints have gained traction on popular social media platforms, with one recent post in the “Fiji Holiday – Information Group,” which has about 35,000 members, detailing an incident where a tourist claimed she was forcibly urged to enter a specific shop for handicrafts. Another group, “Fiji Island Holidaying Discussion Group,” boasting over 61,000 members, similarly features several complaints from visitors regarding their experiences.
Dr. Ram Raju, president of the Nadi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, described these posts as a warning that could harm Nadi’s reputation as a tourist destination. He noted that many visitors prefer to vent their frustrations on social media instead of filing formal police reports due to concerns about getting involved in lengthy legal processes that could extend beyond their stay.
Dr. Raju emphasized the need for stakeholders to be proactive in preventing such incidents going forward and called for a more visible police presence in the town, along with regular patrols to deter harassment by touts and businesses promoting such behavior.
The chamber is currently seeking clarification and information from Tourism Fiji and the Fiji Police Force regarding their strategies and response to these issues.
In response, Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka acknowledged the situation and assured that they would investigate the matter thoroughly. He emphasized that tourism is thriving in Nadi, describing it as a vital hub, and stated that any necessary measures would be implemented to ensure the safety of tourists. Gavoka also indicated that the issue might be isolated, potentially caused by a few overly aggressive vendors, but assured that they would take steps to address it.