THE allocation of $23.5million for Tourism Fiji is expected to create jobs and have a direct contribution to government coffers of $180million in tax and other revenues.
Fiji Islands Hotel and Tourism Association president Dixon Seeto said the 2010 Budget was pro-active and forward-looking.
He thanked the Government for maintaining the same record level of funding as last year for Tourism Fiji at $23.5m.
Mr Seeto said this would allow Tourism Fiji to continue its work in promoting Fiji to the world.
"This year was the first time in the past five years that funds were allocated for branding," he said.
"This will continue and will help make Fiji very visible and attractive to tourists. This is especially important with the launch of Air Pacific's new service to Hong Kong and its connections to points beyond.
"The $3million for Tourism Fiji operations (up by $500,000) will ensure Tourism Fiji has the human and technological resources to do its work effectively."
Mr Seeto said the Budget had set the platform for economic development and the funding for Tourism Fiji under a rolling three-year program would allow for a long-term strategic and marketing plan.
Association vice president Patrick Wong welcomed the sustained funding, saying under the Tourism Development Plan, Fiji was targeting one million visitors annually by 2016.
Mr Wong said the funding would allow sustained marketing in traditional source markets of Australia and New Zealand while developing markets in China, India and Europe.
The group welcomed the reduction of tariffs for vessels from 35 per cent to three per cent as marine vessels were used extensively throughout Fiji.
