Latest figures released by the Bureau of Statistics indicates that the situation in the tourism industry may not be as grim as portrayed by some stakeholders for the first quarter of 2007.

The Bureau reports that the total number of room nights occupied in hotels and resorts stood at 342,700 an increase of 2 percent compared to the same period last year.

It also shows that the number of beds sold to visitors increased by 1.9 percent with 689,742 compared to 676,700 for the first quarter of 2006.

And even though hotels and resorts are offering upto 50 percent discount to visitors since the events of December 5th, overall takings from sale of accommodation, food, liquor and other charges decreased by 0.4% from last year and stands at $101.4 million which was $101.8 million in the same quarter of 2006.

The Bureau reveals that with an increase in the number of rooms available in Fiji, the employment within the tourism industry increased with 8,896 people employed compared to 8,746 for the same period last year.

There are also positive signs of tourists coming to Fiji despite the various negative travel advisories issued. The number of people staying in hotels and resorts increased from Australia, the US, Canada, the Pacific islands and other countries while there was a decrease in the number of people from New Zealand, Japan, the UK and continental European countries.