| A Fijian tourism official on Sunday highlighted the important role to be played by the multi-million dollar casino in the tourism industry, saying it will bring about a new market segment in the economic sector.Dixon Seeto, President of the Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association said Sunday the much looked forward to casino resort which includes a 1,500 seat capacity convention center will be able to cater for large conferences which no other hotels or resorts could cater for in Fiji at the moment.
He added apart from just being a casino, it has major benefits for the whole tourism industry and economy the driving force in the states revenue, while the tourism industry continues to play an important role in Fiji’s economic development, contributing significantly to income and employment generation both directly and indirectly.
The projected growth in Fiji’s hospitality and tourism industry has created many career opportunities in this service sector, said Seeto, adding Fiji is also blessed with its location as the hub of the Pacific region and therefore invests a great deal towards the promotion of its tourism industry which has now reached a point where the casino industry will play a critical role in its success.
Casino operators have been a long-awaited activity in Fiji, for decades.
One Hundred Sands Limited, a subsidiary of a US company, has been selected by the Fijian Government to operate the country’s first casino, and the company would be responsible for the development of a 290 million Fiji dollars (114.29 million US dollars) casino resort and convention centre in Denarau Island and a smaller Suva operation.
Earlier, Fiji’s Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama said their selection was a result of rigorous assessment and process. The assessment took into account many factors one of the most important was the desire to optimize economic benefits from this venture without damaging the socio-economic fabric of Fijian society.
The Bainimarama government believes the development of casinos in Fiji within a regulated environment takes into account fine balance between social impact and potential economic benefits, which is an important catalyst in creating or otherwise stimulating sustainable growth and tourism within Fiji.
While the Methodist church has opposed the development for fear of social implications on a small Fijian community, Bainimarama has stressed casino development would propel Fiji’s tourism sector to another level, not only through increased travelers, but also through the demand for Fijians in the hospitality workplace.
Larry Claunch, Chairman of the One Hundred Sands company, promised that this project would enrich Fiji as the casino would be attached to a five-star 100-room resort in Denarau, with 500 slot machines, 15 table games, and a high-energy nightclub along with a convention faci |
Posted by Koya
on June 11, 2012. Filed under Australia,Austria,Belief,Business,Crime,Economics,Employment,Entertainment,Environment,Fiji,Human values,Law,Law and Religion,Life,Morality/moral values,New Zealand,New Zealand,Poverty,Religions,Tourism.
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Hanif Koya
June 11, 2012 at 10:22 am
Dependent on how well the posts are read, you can post you commnets to educate people on issues like Casinos, gambling, liqour an sex often associated with this. A great way to do tabligh instead of lashin out at one another,
In addition, oyu can send the links to others drwaing attentin to your comments.
Keep in mind the purpose is to raach to wider readership that ineeds to be increased daily.
Wassalam!
Hanif Koya
Rafiq A. Tschannen
June 11, 2012 at 10:29 am
In Malaysia (I seemed to recall) casinos were permitted for foreigners and non-Malay Malaysians. In a way correct, because gambling is prohibited for Muslims. What are other readers opinion on that?
Hanif Koya
June 11, 2012 at 10:49 am
Thanks brother Rafif Tchannen, Hope you got the pictures of the Leadesrhip Crisis symposium I attended last evening hosted by AMC Silicon Valley Chapter attracting more than 200 invitees at the Milpitas Community Center.
Rafiq A. Tschannen
June 11, 2012 at 11:52 am
sorry, please send me again to rafiqtschannen@hotmail.com (something went wrong…)