Fiji is a popular luxury holiday spot
Fiji 'must work to restore safe reputation'
13 May 2008The South Pacific island of Fiji has work to do in order to preserve its reputation as a safe destination, an industry leader has said.
A recent increase in the number of crimes targeted at tourists has put a black mark on Fiji's record as a safe holiday location.
Visitors Bureau chairman Patrick Wong has now said that this issue must be addressed if the island is to enjoy a positive reputation in the future, the Fiji Times reports.
"If the concerns for the increase in violent acts are not addressed it would change the image of Fiji being the safest destination," he said.
"But Fiji is still one of the safest destinations although we have been bruised by these recent attacks on foreigners."
Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, the interim prime minister of Fiji, recently claimed that the island nation is the safest tourist destination in the southern hemisphere.
Peter Waqavonovono, a spokesman for the local Young People's Concerned Network, dispute the assertion, saying: "I think the comment is a slap on the face of the tourists and expatriates who have suffered as a result of crime directed towards them."
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