We want to encourage Fijians to experience Fiji’s tourism products - Stoeckel

Tourism Fiji's CEO, Matthew Stoeckel says with the “Love Our Locals Campaign”, this is the first time Tourism Fiji is taking a domestic tourism initiative and its primary role is to encourage Fijians to experience Fiji’s tourism products.

He says the campaign has another goal and that is to work with the operators to develop local family packages and products that encourage those that are able to stay in operation through this time to look at how they can best cater for the local market.

He says there are more than 70 operators that have come onboard with this campaign and are giving special deals for locals.

Stoeckel says they will initially be running this campaign for 12 months and are hoping to continue after their international visitors return.

Meanwhile, Stoeckel says they have received feedback through many channels in relation to locals not getting the same treatment at hotels and resorts as other guests from overseas are getting.

Stoeckel says they are very much aware of the issue however they have not received direct complaints in regards to the issue.

The CEO of the Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association, Fantasha Lockington had stated earlier that it is absolutely necessary for locals to be treated the same way as other guests are treated at hotels and resorts in Fiji.