Fiji is Back! - Stays up to 18 Months for Sailors
by Fiji Times/Sail-World on 22 Nov 2008
Sailing Fiji has always had an allure - now you can stay 18 months and leave your yacht there over the cyclone season SW
THE extension of the length of stay of yachts and removal of re-entry conditions for cruising sailors in Fiji has been described a 'Godsend' for the ailing marine industry.
In January this year the Interim Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry announced in the 2008 Budget yachts and their crews would only be allowed to stay in Fiji for three months, with extensions possible on application. (see Sail-World story ).
This meant, apart from other repercussions, that yachts were unable to leave their yachts in Fiji during the cyclone season. The fastest growing tourism segment had suffered enormous losses, and has spent the year lobbying ceaselessly to have the rule reversed.
The interim Government also imposed a re-entry condition that prohibited yachts from returning to Fiji within nine months of leaving the country's shores. The decision, described at the time as a necessity to protect Fiji's border, resulted in yachts visiting other ports in the Pacific which had more favourable and relaxed conditions.
But the announcement by interim Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama yesterday to reinstate the previous conditions has given the local yachting industry a glimmer of hope of salvaging the industry.
Apart from extending the length of stay to 18 months and removing the re-entry conditions, Commodore Bainimarama also announced a Super Yacht Charter Policy that will facilitate the super yacht industry in Fiji. Vuda Point marina manager, Milika Marshall said it was 'a Godsend' the Government had reversed its previous decision.
Ms Marshall said since the decision by the Government last year, Vuda marina had lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in business. She said their repair and maintenance, in-house berthing and hurricane protection business was badly affected.
With the country's laws described as outdated, Ms Marshall also welcomed the super yacht charter policy. Ms Marshall said they hoped to work closely with the Government in formulating a policy to benefit the country.
Port Denarau marina chief executive Nigel Skeggs said the announcement was fantastic news for the industry, and a credit to all stakeholders who spent sleepless nights on the issue and many months lobbying for such a move.
However, Mr Skeggs said the battle was not over.
'It is now important for the industry to focus on getting this information to the overseas sailing community to reverse the damage done over the last season and revive Fiji as the premier yachting destination of the South Pacific.'
Tourism Fiji chairman Patrick Wong said the reversal of government's previous decision would guarantee the tourism dollar spreading throughout all communities.
Mr Wong said the yachting industry has far-reaching effects in terms of the local communities receiving benefits.
He said the decision was a huge boost to the overall tourism industry.
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