Tourism Fiji has made the “difficult decision” to call off the Fijian Tourism Expo 2018 due to severe weather conditions, including a Tropical Cyclone Warning.
“Tourism Fiji regretfully announces that due to events beyond its control, the Fijian Tourism Expo 2018 which was scheduled to take place next week from 10-12 April, and all activities related to the official program, have been cancelled,” the organisation said in a statement.
Source: Fijian Government
“This difficult decision has been taken because of safety concerns for all delegates due to the deteriorating and serious weather conditions”.
Fiji Tourism.
Fiji Meteorology Service has now issued a Tropical Cyclone Alert for Fiji. It comes as Tropical Depression 13F has developed into Tropical Cyclone Keni.
The Fiji Meteorological Service said the Category 1 storm was expected to become a Category 2 in the next 24 hours and there was a good chance the level could be raised to Category 3.
Source: AccuWeather
Cyclone Keni is expected to be closest to Fiji about midday tomorrow.
All schools in Fiji are closed for at least the next two days but are being made available as evacuation centres.
The incoming cyclone comes just one week after Cyclone Josie hit the island nation, killing six people and causing extensive damage.
Tourism Fiji said it “shared the disappointment” of all its partners and participants who had been looking forward to FTE 2018.
>
The organisation came to the decision “following consultation with our partners and suppliers, who also understand that safety is the paramount concern for Tourism Fiji”.
Regional Manager for Australia, Hal Caldwell said he was “grateful for the industry’s support and understanding of the decision.”
Tourism Fiji will provide full refunds of the registration fees for FTE 2018.
There will be some expected delays to flights in and around Fiji over the next two days.
Any questions regarding the cancellation can be directed to Tourism Fiji’s Events Manager Luisa Finiasi via lfiniasi@tourismfiji.com.fj.
READ: Fiji hit by heavy flooding from Cyclone Josie
READ: THE FIJIAN OSCARS: Why the Islands of Fiji may be the real Hollywood stars