| Fiji liberalizes surfing for tourism boost |
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| Written by Editor at SurferToday.com |
| Tuesday, 20 July 2010 16:31 |
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Cloudbreak, Tavarua and Restaurants, the best surf spots in Fiji, are going to have their access liberalized to any surfing tourist. "Free access and use of all surfing areas in Fiji to all tourists and Fijians provides a wonderful opportunity to all Fijians, including the i-taukei landowners in the proximity of this surfing areas to profit directly and indirectly by way of engaging in businesses themselves as apposed to relying on handouts from hotel operators in charging premium rates for their clients," said Mr.Sayed-Khaiyum, the Attorney General. Mr Sayed-Khaiyum reiterated that the surfing industry is a global US $10 billion business and the opening up of surfing in Fiji will attract an additional 20,000 tourists to Fiji every year in time to come. In Tavarua, for example, there's a limit of 36 weekly visitors paying $400/day. The Fiji Surfing Decree will promote surfing in the country and will attract more surfers to the shores. |
I am afraid the "bula spirit" will slowly fade from surf spots such as Cloubreak and Restaurants. It will become much more crowded, much less safe and surely the aggressive surf attitudes will take hold, just as in Bali.
If they are right and it adds 20,000 additional surf tourists to the area, then the appeal of coming to cloudbreak will not appeal the the surfers who travel and seek uncrowded breaks. I personally know of 5 groups that have cancelled their Tavarua trip
We are grateful to this Fiji Govrernment for empowering the people and not letting outsiders do here what they could never get away with in their own country. We welcome all surfers to our shores and please ask that they leave their attitudes and aggression at home because Fiji as all about the "Bula Spirit" in the water. Vinaka. Kini