Category: Active Members Area

Only current FHTA members can read posts in this area

KPMG Flash Report – Issue 26 of 2019 – FRCS TPOS launch and online tax return lodgements

CherylChow Active Members Area, Board Members
KPMG Flash Report – Issue 26 of 2019 – FRCS TPOS launch and online tax return lodgements

We attach our Flash Report (Issue 26 of 2019) in respect of the FRCS Taxpayer Online Services (“TPOS”) launch and online tax return lodgements.

The Flash Report is issued in summary form exclusively for the information of clients and staff of KPMG and should not be used or relied upon as a substitute for detailed advice or as a basis for formulating business decisions.

Attachment: KPMG Flash Report Issue 262019 – TPOS launch and lodgements

Should you have any queries please contact your client service personnel.

KPMG
Level 10 BSP Suva Central | Renwick Road | Suva | Fiji
GPO Box 32 | Suva | Fiji
T +679 330 1155

Annual Climate Summary for 2018

CherylChow Active Members Area, Board Members
Annual Climate Summary for 2018

Members are advised that the Climate Report Summary for 2018 is attached from the Dept of Meteorological Services .The link and Highlights are provided below.

Per the last Early Action Rainfall Watch (EAR Watch) update – we recommend that members in the Western Division consider commencing water saving initiatives, especially with the water levels at the Vaturu Dam nearing its first critical level (of 3).

Attachment: Climate Report summary 2018

Highlights:

  • In general, El Niño Southern Oscillation conditions remained neutral for most of 2018;
  • Three tropical cyclones (TC) had direct impacts on Fiji during 2018;
  • The national average rainfall during 2018 was 2538mm, which was 109% of the long term average (2324mm). This ranks 2018 as the 45th wettest year in 62 years of record;
  • A period of suppressed rainfall was experienced from the 2nd half of June to early part of September;
  • The national average mean air temperature during 2018 was 25.9˚C, which ranks as the 4th warmest year in Fiji (since 1959) after 2007, 2013 and 2017;
  • A total of 68 new daily or monthly climate records were established during 2018 (17 rainfall and 51 air temperatures);
  • The annual total bright sunshine hours were near-normal at all three stations (Nadi Airport, Laucala Bay and Nacocolevu) during the year.

PwC Fiji Bulletin: Tax Reporting Requirements and Standard Interpretation Guidelines

CherylChow Active Members Area, Board Members
PriceWaterhouseCoopers

PricewaterhouseCoopers, 12 December 2019 – Please find attached our PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Fiji Bulletin in relation to Tax Reporting Requirements and Standard Interpretation Guidelines.

Do not hesitate to contact PwC should you require any further information or clarification.

Attachment: PwC Fiji Bulletin – 12 December 2019 (Tax Reporting Requirements & SIGs)

HOTEC 2019 Tradeshow – Feedback Survey

CherylChow Active Members Area
HOTEC 2019 Tradeshow – Feedback Survey

HOTEC Exhibitor Feedback Survey_2019

  • Please rate the following according to your personal experience.
  • Date Format: DD dash MM dash YYYY

FHTA HR/IR Workshop in Savusavu

AlvinaNarayan Active Members Area
FHTA has the opportunity to access a HR/IR consultant and provide a 1 day workshop in Savusavu on the 5th of December that is usually provided for our members on the mainland. He will take your HR Managers/ GM’s through the ERA amendments that came through the 2019 National Budget (Family care leave,etc), provide background understanding on the new Accident Compensations Act and provide real case examples of how to deal with Industrial Relations & Labour Department issues.
The workshop will run from am to pm (although our experience has been that all sessions run over time because he very generously provides time to answer questions on individual cases).
Key Benefits
– 2019 Employment Relations Act Amendments – including Policies on family Care Leave in your HR Policies
– Accident compensation Act – employer expectations
– Managing Industrial Relations & Labour Department issues

Savusavu Training:
Dates: 5th December, 2019
Venue: Hot Springs Hotel
Fees: $100VIP

This training is limited 20 places on first come basis.

Taveuni -Occupational Health and Safety Training [OHS Module I & II]

AlvinaNarayan Active Members Area

The Health & Safety at Work (Training) Regulations 1997 requires basic training for managers, supervisors and workers.

In line with these regulations, the Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations requires that businesses have a Safety Management System (SMS) in place that governs the workplace OHS practices.
The Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association  in support of this is providing the OHS Module I & II training to the members of  Hotel Association. It also provides for a day-long refresher course for health and safety representatives and committee members.

Key Benefits
·       Promotes productivity and training efficiency for the organization
·       Promote awareness on health and safety in the workplace
·       Compliance to government OHS legislations and policies
·        Learners receive certification based on training days attended.

FHTA has also developed a template SMS document that members can adopt and participants are encouraged to utilise the OHS training to ensure that the documentation requirements are understood and implemented effectively. You may download the template Safety Management System document here.

The Association recommends that members attend these awareness sessions and send senior members of their HR teams to ensure business understand the amendments & implications.

Taveuni Training:
Dates: 26 – 28th November, 2019
Venue: Garden Island Resort
Fees: $200VIP

This training is limited 20 places on first come basis.

Taveuni -Occupational Health and Safety Training [OHS Module I & II] (1)

The workshop objective is to promote productivity and training efficiency for the organization.Create awareness on health and safety in the workplace and Compliance to government OHS legislation and policies
  • Select the Session in which your participants will be attending
  • Name
  • Date Format: DD dash MM dash YYYY

 

FHTA Dive Fiji EXPO 2020 | Sponsorship Information

CherylChow Active Members Area
FHTA Dive Fiji EXPO 2020 | Sponsorship Information

Bula Dive Industry Sponsors,

Welcome to Fiji’s largest in-country Dive Marketing Event ever, the FHTA Dive Fiji EXPO!

FHTA Dive Fiji EXPO 2020

This event is aimed specifically at showcasing Fiji’s awesome diving to key wholesalers and media from Fiji’s key dive source markets. The FHTA Dive Fiji EXPO has shaped up to be the biggest dive event in Fiji’s yearly calendar!

The FHTA Dive Fiji EXPO 2020 will be held on Friday, 15th May 2020 following the Tourism Fiji Dive Fiji Fiesta from 8 – 15 May 2020. The venue for this year’s Dive trade event will be confirmed at a later date.

Sponsorship Opportunities

To assist in a successful Dive EXPO we would like to invite you to sponsor this event.

We have 3 Levels of sponsorship this year;

  • Level 1 – F$3,000.00
  • Level 2 – F$5,000.00
  • Level 3 – F$10,000.00

Full details and sponsorship packages can be viewed HERE.

FHTA Dive Fiji EXPO 2020 Sponsorship Confirmation Form

Complete and submit the following Form to confirm your sponsorship for this event. Your place will be confirmed in full once payment is received. Note: All fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required to successfully submit this form. Do not use upper case or capitals unless at the beginning of a sentence or name.
  • Select your preferred level of sponsorship for this event
  • This must be completed before submitting this form. We advise that you do not use this section for notes to the Secretariat as this will automatically appear as your biography on printed material
  • Full Name
  • Add an additional participant below at only $250

CFF Culinary Masters – HOTEC Live Stadium Kitchen

Tareguci Sigarua Active Members Area
CFF Culinary Masters – HOTEC Live Stadium Kitchen

The Culinary Federation of Fiji, in conjunction with the Fiji Hotels and Tourism Association, is proud to announce a new culinary event at this year’s HOTEC trade show on November 7th & 8th, 2019 at Sheraton Fiji.

Objectives:
Demonstrate that a dish is not just how it tastes – you should be able to see, hear, smell and touch food as well to make it a truly gastronomic experience.

Prize by Culinary Federation of Fiji:

  • 2019 Culinary Master of the Year Trophy
  • $2,000 Cash & other prizes

Competition Rules:

  • The mystery box ingredients must be the hero of the dish, which can be an appetizer or main course
  • Competitors must bring their own knives and any specialized tools to accentuate their dishes – but no food ingredients.
  • There will be 6 x 1hr rounds each day beginning at 8 am. On the final day, the two top-scoring chefs will be invited back to battle it out in a grand finale with the hardest mystery box ingredients.
  • Two chefs will be selected to compete in each round, and have one hour to present a completed dish.
  • In the following round, another two chefs will compete but with different mystery ingredients.

Entry Criteria:

  • Experienced chefs who have reached a level of skill to be considered a master in their kitchen
  • Deep understanding of Fijian gastronomy and the different uses of our most exotic produce
  • Executive chefs or sous chefs, and chefs who have successfully competed and won medals at the annual Salon Culinaire.
  • Only 12 chefs will be selected based on experience and accolades.

Culinary Masters Challenge 2019 Application Form is only available to CFF Members who are currently logged into our member’s network. Our quick online registration is a requirement to apply and participate in the above competition.

Entries close on 1st November 2019.

Entry details can be viewed HERE

Bed Making and Table Napkin Folding Competition – Registrations now open!

Tareguci Sigarua Active Members Area
Bed Making and Table Napkin Folding Competition – Registrations now open!

Calling all Housekeeping & Food and Beverage teams to register. Show us your skills, Have Fun.

Napkin Folding Competition – Culinary Skills Challenge

Individual Competition

The participant will be executing Three (3) Folds

  • One Dinner Plate
  • Beverage Glass
  • Small Centerpiece

Time: 5 Minutes

GENERAL GUIDELINES

  • Each participant should be wearing a complete and proper F&B uniform.
  • The materials and equipment for the competition will be provided.
  • All participants are responsible for the materials or equipment. Organizers will not be held liable for any loss or broken tools and equipment.
  • Participants should be at the venue 1 hour prior to the time of the event.
  • The judges’ decision is always final and irrevocable.

CRITERIA                                                                                            

  • Time                                                 
  • Quality – Neatness, Accuracy
  • Effect – Innovation & Appearance       

Bed Making Competition

Individual Competition

Time: 5 Minutes

GENERAL GUIDELINES

  • Each participant should be wearing a complete and proper Housekeeping uniform.
  • The materials and bed for the competition will be provided.
  • All participants are responsible for the materials or equipment. Organizers will not be held liable for any loss or broken tools and equipment.
  • Participants should be at the venue 1 hour prior to the time of the event.
  • The judges’ decision is always final and irrevocable.

CRITERIA                                                                                            

  • Time                                                 
  • Quality – Neatness, Accuracy
  • Effect – Innovation & Appearance        

Entry Closes at 4 pm on 6th November 2019. There are No Entry Fees and open to FHTA Members only.

Interested participants are requested to fill in the registration form below;

FHTA Charity Golf Day 2019

Litia Mario Active Members Area
FHTA Charity Golf Day 2019

The Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association is proud to announce that it will host a Charity Golf Day in aid of the Saint Christopher’s Home to assist them with funding to build a Boy’s Home at their property in Suva.

Scheduled for Saturday November 9th, 2019 at the Denarau Golf and Racquet Club, participants will enjoy 18 holes of magnificent golf with all proceeds going toward a good cause.

First Team Prize:

  • Fiji Airways Business Class Round Tickets
  • Any Fiji Airways Prime Destination
  • Includes Government Taxes and surcharges
  • Validity till 31 Oct 2020

Second Team Prize:

  • 4 x Luxury Resort Accommodation Vouchers
  • 2 nights accommodation each
  • Prize values are approximately $3,000 each

Third Team Prize:

  • 4 x Luxury Resort Accommodation Vouchers
  • 2 nights accommodation each
  • Prize values are approximately $2,000 each

Fourth Team Prize:

  • 4 x Full Day Cruises
  • Includes all food & drinks on the island

Registrations are now open, and organisations can opt not only to participate, but become Hole Sponsors and enjoy added benefits!

How to participate

You can become a Hole Sponsor for FJD 3,000. The benefits of being a Hole Sponsor are listed below:

  • Ground signage on their appointed hole
  • Inclusion of promotional items in participant complimentary bags
  • Logo placement in all advertising and promotional material leading up to the event
  • Acknowledgement at the tournament presentation
  • 1 x 4 players (corporate team) to participate in the FHTA Charity Golf Day at no cost

You can register a corporate team of 4 players for FJD 1,500 (this registration fee is waived for Hole Sponsors). All corporate teams will enjoy:

  • 18 holes at the Denarau Championship Golf Course
  • Combined 2 Ball Ambrose
  • Delicious BBQ Buffet lunch
  • 2 hour cocktail with finger foods at awards presentation

If you would like to learn more about being a Hole Sponsor, please contact the Executive Officer via email at eo@fhta.com.fj who will provide you with a sponsorship proposal to consider.

If you would like to register a corporate team for FJD 1,500 please fill in the registration form below.

REPORT: RBF Economic Review

Litia Mario Active Members Area

The Reserve Bank of Fiji has published the Economic Review for the month ended August 2019.

Some highlights of the report are:

  • New investment lending by commercial banks fell by -25.9% cumulative to July due to a decline in lending to both the real estate and new lending by commercial banks for consumption purposes declined by -1.5%.
  • Annual inflation fell by 0.7% in July lower than the 2.8.1% in June but lower than the 4.7% in July last year.
  • Liquidity grew by 16.7% in July to $506.6m due to the increase in foreign reserves (and anecdotal information that there has been slower lending from banks).
  • Over the month of July, the Fiji dollar strengthened against the Australian dollar (+0.9%), Euro (0.9%) and the New Zealand dollar(0.3%) but weakened against the US dollar (-1.0%) and the Japanese Yen (-0.2%)

View the full report here.

REPORT: UNWTO International Tourism Highlights

Litia Mario Active Members Area

The World Tourism Organisation has published the 2019 edition of the International Tourism Highlights.

Some highlights of the report are:

  • International tourist arrivals grew by 5% in 2018 to reach 1.4 billion which was 2 years ahead of the UNWTO forecast figure.
  • Interesting to note that Asia and the Pacific recorded the highest growth in arrivals as well as above-average growth in tourism earnings.
  • Tourism generates USD 5 billion a day in exports.

View the full report here.

REPORT: FBoS Tourism Earnings – June 2019 (2nd Quarter)

Litia Mario Active Members Area

The Fiji Bureau of Statistics has released the Tourism Earnings Report for the second quarter of 2019.

Some highlights from the report:

  • June Quarter Tourism Earnings has experienced a positive growth of 10.1% compared to the 2018 June Quarter, moreso higher than the March Quarter of 2019.
  • Major changes in earnings recorded by Australia (up by 6.5%), NZ (up by 10.6%), USA (up by 24.4%) and China (down by 0.9%).
  • The mentioned countries accounted for 81.6% of earnings in the June quarter of 2019, a decrease of 0.5% when compared to the June quarter of 2018.
  • With regards to source market spending trends, Australian visitors accounted for 40.2% of total arrivals to Fiji and 43.13% of total spending by visitors in June 2019

View the full report here.

USP: Assistance with Placements for Hotel Management Interns 2020

CherylChow Active Members Area, Board Members
USP: Assistance with Placements for Hotel Management Interns 2020

University of the South Pacific, 03 October 2019 – The School of Tourism & Hospitality Management at the University of the South Pacific successfully concluded its Annual Careers Fair at the Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort & Spa on Friday, September 27th on World Tourism Day.

While industry reps are still reviewing their interviews with the Hotel Management interns and will confirm their intakes soon, the School extends an invitation to other industry partners to step forward to support the internship programme and mentor future tourism & hospitality personnel.

Currently there are 33 interns, 11 of which are final year interns, who upon completing their 12 months internship next year are free to continue as permanent employees. These students weren’t able to serve an internship this year due to personal reasons but have added value to their year by gaining work experience, OPERA training and Basic First Aid Training. They are computer literate and are recommended by the School.

Twenty two interns will be 3rd year students next year and will return after their 12 months internship in 2020 to complete their final year at USP (2021). The Bachelor of Commerce in Hotel Management is a 4-year programme.

Biodata for all these interns are available upon request.

For more information, please contact Ella Bennion at USP directly via email to bennion_e@usp.ac.fj.

Is Your Business Disaster Ready?

CherylChow Active Members Area, Board Members
Is Your Business Disaster Ready?

PIPSO, 30 September 2019 – We (the Pacific) are two months away from the start of the official hurricane season. Usually November to April being the dreaded period.

As a business, have you worked on your Business Continuity Plan? Have you discussed with your staff what to do when a disaster strikes? This is important both for the business and for your staff – so they can prepare not just for the business/where they work, but the information on preparedness can help them in preparing and safeguarding their own household and community.

Check out the BCP toolkits on the PIPSO website here.  Alternatively, reach out to your PIPSO member in-country (ie. Chambers of Commerce, Fiji Commerce & Employers Federation, CPME New Caledonia and French Polynesia, Australia-Pacific Islands Business Council, PCF NZ, for more information)

Related Post: Business Disaster Recovery