The Fiji Retailers Association is rportd to be well pleased with the endorsement of the Super Yacht Decree by the Fijian Cabinet in the South Pacific.

President Himmat Lodhia of Fiji said this decree will not only benefit the tourism industry but the local business community as well as aid the development of new industries that depend on yachts for business.

“Its not only the business community and market people that will benefit but there is a whole lot of allied industries that can spring up, maybe boat repairs and boat building ,once you have an influx of these type of people.”

A Fiji Island

The decree allows for super yachts to enter, charter and cruise in Fiji.

In April 2010 the Fiji Cabinet endorsed the super yacht charter decree which was confirmed by the Minister for Tourism Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.

Highlighting the super yacht industry as a top earner for the tourism sector, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said the decree will now allow for super yachts to come, charter, and cruise in Fiji which will be of enormous benefits to Fiji.

“It is hardly ever, if ever affected by recessions. Last year during the recession, the top three to four percent of the super yachting sector was not affected at all. In the South Pacific, the super yachts only come up to tahiti and up to the east coast of Australia. So in between there is no opportunity for super yachts to be cruising; to be chartering in the Southern Pacific waters.”

Super Yacht Athena in Fiji