SUVA (Daily Post/PINA) — Fiji hotel and resort owners are unhappy with a recent policy requiring tourists to reapply for a visitors permit after a months’ stay.
The new law, which became effective from April 1, requires a tourist to pay F$82.50 if the person wants to extend a tourist visa.
Both visas on arrival and extensions had previously been free and visitors could get up to a three-month stay on arrival.
The change has worried hotel and resort owners, particularly those who accommodate visiting yachties and backpackers.
The changes are believed to have been introduced in an effort to combat the growing problem of Asian overstayers.
“Most of our guests like to stay for two or three months or so with many of them traveling by yacht,” said Margaret Thaggard, a director of Musket Cove Resort. “Usually they come in groups of three or four, so if a family of four wishes to stay for another month, they would have to pay a total of F$380 just to renew their visa. It’s very inconvenient for them.”
