There is a need for tourism and civil aviation to be classified as Essential Services under the Employment Relations Promulgation.

These are the words of Fiji Hoteliers Association President Dixon Seeto at the 42nd Annual General Meeting of the Fiji Islands Hotel and Tourism Association held at the Tanoa International Hotel in Nadi this morning.

He said the Tourism Industry and Air Pacific together have contributed over 25% of the National Gross Domestic Product and generate in excess of $1.25 billion dollars in foreign exchange.

Seeto also spoke of the need for Government to provide $30.5 million in funding to the Fiji Visitors Bureau as the industry needs to return to the quality markets it used to enjoy, to increase yields, length of stay while developing and improving the "Fiji Experience".