The new ruling overrides any existing arrangement and excludes any challenge in court against the cancellation of leases. The Stuff website reports the ruling has upset resort owners but thrilled surfers, who previously had to pay between US$400-$600 a day to stay at the hotels which would then allow them to ride the waves.
Previously, access to world-class waves at the best spots in Fiji, such as Cloudbreak, had been controlled by resorts that paid villages for exclusive access rights. Tavarua Island Resort, which will likely be affected by the ruling, issued a brief statement:
“The Fiji Government has always supported our surfing resort and model and conversely we’ve always supported the government and people of Fiji. If and when the details are released and the decree goes into effect, we will know at that time if it has any impact on our operation.”
Namotu Island Resort, which would also be affected by the ruling, said they had been taken by surprise and its owner is quoted as saying three villages there will be a million dollars a year worse off .
As reported by Travelmemo
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