If the Interim Prime Minister sticks to his words and ensures that we have a truly democratic election by March 2009, the tourism industry will pick up.

Speaking to Village News, President for the Fiji Hoteliers Association Dixon Seeto said a decline in tourist numbers will continue as travel advisories continue against Fiji.

Seeto said with the arrival of 1600 tourists on a cruise-liner last week, the industry seems to be picking up, however, workers would feel the pinch as there are reports that some have been laid off while others are working on reduced hours.