Tourism

Fiji Plans For

ALTHOUGH faced with difficulties chief of which is hotel accommoda tion — Fiji is going ahead with plans for meeting an increased tourist traffic in the period immediately ahead.

A Fiji Publicity Board has been formed consisting of Mr. Alport Barker (chair man) and Messrs. H. H. Ragg, W. G.

Johnson, Govind (Indian Chamber of Commerce) C. A. Adams (Lautoka) and L. G. Usher (Public Relations Officer).

Mr. F. I. Ryan is secretary.

Its function is to - plan ahead in a general way for 4 tourists, as well as answer present inquiries from abroad from people who wish to either visit or settle in the Colony.

Something is already being done for travellers on the trans-Pacific air ser vices, who stop off for a whole day at Nadi, near Lautoka. At present, these passengers are accommodated in bures near the airport, and tourist trips and native entertainments are being arranged for them by Mr. Adams, of Lautoka, a member of the Publicity Board.

At Nadi, many buildings suitable for

conversion to tourist accomodation were left behind by the American and New Zealand forces. In Suva, the capital, however, there is a great and growing demand for accommodation. First class hotel accommmdation is available in Suva but there is much too little of it to cope with any increase in tourist traffic.

The Board at present is investigating the possibilities of moving some of the ex-military buildings to Suva. It is believed that many permanent residents of the town would be glad to vacate hotels and boarding houses where they now. live for this type of housing.

Notwithstanding Fiji’s accommo dation difficulties, the Colony, in comparison with other South Pacific territories, is in an excellent position in relation to tourist traffic. The hotels may not be as numerous as required—but they are more numerous than in any other Island —and they are much better run and more comfortable. Fiji is well roaded and has already a dependable and regular motor transport system between the capital and the country districts.

But what is more important than either of these facts, Fiji is anxious to do some thing about tourist traffic, and is already making plans to encourage visitors as soon as shipping and plane facilities are available to bring them to the Colony.

No other South Pacific territory has made a move in this direction as yet—and in the South West Pacific territories of Papua, New Guinea and Solomon Island.

Authority actively discourages even the return of former residents.

If it had not been for the war, Papua- New Guinea would have had something for the tourist —tourists were increasing and were being sought by the shipping companies before 1939. But at the pres-

! nt rate of in those un fortunate territories, it will be at least five years before there will be any facili ties there for visitors. y