By SHALENDRA PRASAD
Calls are being made to activate the tourism police unit in Nadi following numerous complaints of harassment by touts in Fiji’s tourism capital.
This latest demand by members of the Nadi Chamber of Commerce & Industry has been sparked by numerous social media postings by disgruntled tourists who have had bad experiences in the town especially with touts and certain unethical retailers.
With the presence of travel and tour guiding social media groups on popular handles like Facebook, tourists are not hesitating to share their bad experiences about Nadi town on such platforms.
“Such posts are a wakeup call for us and are very detrimental to the image of Nadi as a tourist town,” Nadi Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Dr Ram Raju said.
In the latest such post on “Fiji Holiday – Information Group” that has around 35,000 members on Facebook, a tourist is alleging that she was grabbed by the hand and forcefully told to enter a particular shop for handicraft and gift buying.
A similar group named “Fiji Island Holidaying Discussion Group” that has over 61,000 members on Facebook also carries numerous such posts and comments from visitors to our shores.
“Many tourists find it much convenient to share their grievances and bad experiences on social media rather than lodging an official police complaint as they do not wish to get entangled in the legal process which normally surpasses their time of stay in the country,” Dr Raju said.
He said that is why all relevant stakeholders need to be proactive and take necessary steps in advance to avoid such incidents in the future.
“We need greater physical presence of police officers in the town and there needs to be regular scheduled patrols to serve as a deterrent for touts and business houses encouraging such practices.”
Meanwhile, the chamber is in the process of seeking information and clarification from Tourism Fiji and Fiji Police on their stance and plans on this matter.
ENDS…
A tourist seen entering the Nadi Temple for a tour.
For more information, please contact NCCI President Dr Ram Raju
dsmnadi@gmail.com | +679 9920444 | www.nadichamber.com.fj
