Fiji Finance Minister Responds to Tourism Tax Concerns, Cites Prior Agreement

Fiji's Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel has countered claims by the Fiji Hotels and Tourism Association (FHTA) that the industry was not consulted on the introduction of a five percent tourism services tax. Immanuel asserted that representatives from the tourism sector had met in Suva and reached a collective agreement on both the tax's implementation and its absorption by the industry.

This statement follows public remarks by FHTA Chief Executive Fantasha Lockington, who, immediately after the budget announcement, highlighted that the industry had not agreed to the tax. Lockington argued that placing the cost of supporting Fiji Airways on a single sector was unfair.

Immanuel expressed surprise at FHTA's public denial, suggesting that Lockington might have been acting independently rather than with the full authority of her members during the earlier discussions. "We were surprised that after that, Miss Lockington herself denied that. But I think when she came, she must have been on her own, not with the authority of the members or something like that. So that’s probably what changed at the end," Immanuel stated.

FBC News has reached out to FHTA for further clarification on the matter.

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We were surprised that after that, Miss Lockington herself denied that. But I think when she came, she must have been on her own, not with the authority of the members or something like that. So that’s probably what changed at the end.