Overthrown of democratically elected Fijian government; scrapped Fiji's constitution in favour of rule by military junta, delayed elections, sacked elected ministers, introduced heavy media censorship and ousted Australian and New Zealand diplomats.
Poverty still blights ordinary Fijians. Tin shacks, third-world living conditions and low wages remain common; an orphanage full of children … one of dozens of orphanages across the islands. Nearby Sofitel help out but it's a sign of the political difficulties that they don't donate cash because it would simply "disappear." And a Sigatoka Valley village where “is quite confronting to see the sheer basic level of living standards.”
A further problem, the CIA accuses Fiji of being a source of child sex trafficking, saying the government has taken no action to remedy the situation. [In fact, the new Crime Decree 2009 specifically addresses this issue.]
Local farmers have struggled to use the land properly for years, often failing to rotate crops or use modern growing techniques, they [“senior tourism workers”] say. There are moves to remedy this, with the introduction of farming schools and within the larger resorts, the employment of quality overseas chefs.
Having pondered these problems [that existed long before the 2006 Coup, and about which the Bainimarama Government is taking steps to address] Godfrey advises readers: “And then get on with having the time of your life.”
Surprising what you can learn in a few seconds. Who said Europeans can sometimes, without even thinking, be so patronising. Photo: Fiji Times.
Postscript. For some positive results of tourism, click here.
7 comments:
Patronising is the word, and what a lot for any prospective holiday-maker to absorb in just a "second". This bloke is from the strand of journalism that says you're obliged to say something profound even though this the classic "freebie" or "junket". So take a "second" to read my nod in the direction of a serious piece before you "get on with having the time of your life". Miles Godfrey should leave this to the genuine professionals coz talk about a once over lightly and never mind the facts. Still, at least he didn't advocate a tourism boycott of the country because of the "confronting" things he saw. Perhaps that's what he really believes but couldn't say so for fear of offending V Australia and Sofitel. He'd do a lot better sticking to the pap.
Google Miles Godfrey and you will find many great places to visit. He seems to like the whole world. Another junket professional.
Typical Fairfax parachute journalist who enjoys
the freebies in Fiji and writes a load of hogwash. So much for NZ mainstream journalism.
Miles Godfrey is a luddite and a philistine, in equal proportions.
A spam mail comments, on hydroponics,has been deleted.
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