Some locally-owned budget tourism operators in Fiji are calling for tax relief to stave off closure as the number of backpackers visiting the country continues to decline.
Photo: Rafael Ben-Ari/ 123RF
The call was raised in a submission by budget tourism operators.
The national budget for the coming financial year is due to be presented on Thursday.
Operators have told RNZ Pacific many small resorts are up for sale or have closed down, and they cite a 30 percent drop off in the number of backpackers coming to Fiji since 2015.
They said tax relief for tourism operations would also benefit ordinary Fijians as the Fiji National Provident Fund has invested in the tourism sector.
Fjii's Economy Minister and Attorney-General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has promised the next national budget will be "the widest reaching and most inclusive national budget in Fijian history".