4 February, 2026, 11:05 pm Central - 25°C Clouds

Nadi businesses battle through rough times and call on government to look at attractive tourist packages

Nadi businesses battle through rough times and call on government to look at attractive tourist packages

By Dhanjay Deo
05/03/2020

The President of the Nadi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Ram Raju says businesses in Nadi have been going through some rough times where consumer spending has been low and less business activity has also been noted during Christmas, New Year and school holiday period compared to previous years.

However, Dr. Raju says business owners in Nadi have been a bit resilient and have accepted the challenge to go through the rough period without closing their shops or laying off staff.

Dr. Raju says they had a business forum last Friday and have drawn up a plan to be prepared for the worst as business activity could get seriously affected with the impending coronavirus or Covid19 issue.

He says everyone needs to be aware in relation to the decline of tourist numbers from markets in Asia, particularly Hong Kong and Singapore.

A number of businesses in Nadi Town specialise in handicrafts that are directly targetted towards tourists.

Dr. Raju says the 25 percent tax on the tourist dollar also needs to be looked at and the government needs to look into this.

FEATURE NEWS
Calls made in Galoa to reintroduce corporal punishment for iTaukei students
Calls for the return of corporal punishment in schools — targeted specifically at iTaukei students — were raised by villagers of Galoa in Serua du...
6 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Man removed from Veivatuloa Village in Namosi for possessing marijuana
A man who has maternal links to Veivatuloa Village in Namosi has been removed from the village after marijuana was found at his home.Tui Namosi, Ratu ...
3 hours ago

JSC to hear Malimali, State and PM’s counsel on High Court orders
The Judicial Services Commission, after extensive deliberations in its meeting today, has resolved to invite former FICAC Commissioner Barbara ...
3 hours ago

Mataqali Saniveikau gives five-day ultimatum over water catchment dispute
The Mataqali Saniveikau has given the iTaukei Land Trust Board and the Tailevu Provincial Office five days to meet with them, together with the ...
6 hours ago

President conveys his support for appropriate options - PM
Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka says President and Turaga Bale Tui Cakau Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu has conveyed his support for the appropriate ...
6 hours ago

Seruiratu tells Rabuka to step aside during appeal process
Leader of the Opposition Inia Seruiratu says the if Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is serious about accountability, there is a clear and honourable ...
10 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Ailava Samuels to represent Fiji in Miss Pacific Pageant
Miss Fiji 2025 first runner-up and Miss Nasinu, Ailava Samuels, has been officially appointed as Fiji’s representative to next month's Miss ...
14 days ago

Referendum Bill risks undermining democracy - Dialogue Fiji
The National Referendum Bill risks undermining democracy by criminalising political expression, enabling state overreach and excluding young people ...
15 days ago

Shocking move : FNU reassigned under PM
The Fiji National University is being reassigned under the Prime Minister's Office Ministerial Portfolio via the Ministry of Strategic Planning, ...
15 days ago

TOP