If Fiji fails to achieve its vaccination target of 80 per cent of its target population, the nation would be among countries that would remain shut to the world.
Responding to Assistant Minister for Employment, Alvick Maharaj’s end of week statement on Friday in Parliament, Minister for Trade Faiyaz Koya said this was not by choice of the country, but choice of the traveller.
Mr Koya said the UN World Travel Organisation further stated that an estimated 70 per cent of all destinations in Asia and the Pacific were almost completely closed, compared with other regions such as Europe.
“Tourists are looking for a safe holiday, not just the safe destination but in safe business, whether you’re a hotel, a transport provider, a restaurant or retail store, tourists want to be reasonably assured that their holiday is the safest possible,” he said.
“This is where health and safety programs such as the Care Fiji Commitment (CFC) that now includes full routes for vaccination will be an integral element to resumption.”
Mr Koya said they had already seen, contrary to belief of the Opposition, that many tourism operators now are fully vaccinated.
“Tourism dependent communities will also be considered as part of the CFC to encourage vaccination, so that they too can receive visitors and earn a living.
“There are a number of things we still need to consider simultaneously for a safe reopening, one of which is mutual recognition of vaccine programs and certificates and the certification program will be another important endeavour.
“Mandating vaccines is not a government imposition, or a political agenda, it is a global alliance, a global alliance that aspires to resume travel and get millions of people back to work.”
