On Existing Hotels

Fiji Tourism Must

Be Based

SUVA will have to do without up to-date hotels, and the local Tourist Bureau give less attention to

advertising “Sunny Fiji”—particularly

where Suva is concerned.

This is the opinion of Mr. Pat Costello, astute Fiji business man who, in a recent letter to a Suva newspaper, discussed one aspect of tourist economics—establishment of suitable and sufficient hotel accom modation.

He quoted from a Sydney news paper in which the NSW Licensing Board estimated that a modern hotel in that State cost £4,500 per bedroom —a 20-bedroom hotel cost ing about £90,000.

“Let us assume,” said Mr. Costello, “that such an hotel could be built in Suva for £120,000. What would be the rental of such an hotel, and what tenant could afford to pay, say, 8 per cent., or £9,600 per annum, plus rates, taxes, etc., as well as furnishing the hotel?”

The pros and cons of the Fiji tourist industry have entertained the minds of a lot of people in the last few years.

On the one hand there are the outright opponents who seem to see it as a potential degrading influence

on the Fijian population (though no one has yet shown that there is more sin per head of population in Honolulu than in Suva); and on the other, there are the dis illusioned tourists who have taken to the pen and claimed to be victims

of over-enthusiastic and misleadir tourist organisations.

Tongan Premier (Prince Tung] visited Honolulu in September 1 complete negotiations for the sa of Tongan mats in USA.