Hi Scott,
I saw the biased report the other night and felt very sorry for the most unfortunate party the villagers. Its terrible to think one disgruntled middle class housewives word can be taken over all the satisfied travellers to the Villages.
Today Tonight dont do any research what so ever as they did a story on a musician who was allenged to be holding payments on a studio when everyone in the industry new it was the other way round.
So what does the future hold for fijibure?. Whats going to happen with the CD?
Regards
Andrew Meakes
Hi Scott
I just wanted you to know that I am so very sorry that this one woman is destroying this great work that you have done with the fijian villages.
Ed and I had such a fantastic time during the few weeks that we spent in Namatakula, Namuamua and Naiseuseu on Beqa, at no point did we think that your business was a scam and that the fijian people were being taken advantage of.
The fijibure.com website shows you and explains that the facilities are limted and people should not expect to stay in hotel type accommodation when it clearly states you will be living with the family in a fijian village community.
I hope you can resolve this matter and proceed with fijibure.com - it would be a great waste otherwise.
Good Luck and Take Care
With best wishes
Carly Taylor
Hi Scott
I was forwarded the website from friends of mine Carly and Ed who organised a homestay with you last year. They loved it and Ed actually made you a CD as a bit of a thank you containing all his photos they took on the trip.
They sent the CD to me as I live just down the road at Holland Park West. I know you live in Tarragindi as I dropped them off there when they initially came to visit you but can't remember the address. I would really like to forward or drop the CD off to you, or , if you feel more comfortable I can give you my address and you can pick the CD up. (I understand with all the Today/tonight thing you might not be wanting to hand out your address to complete strangers!)
I read the website by the way and although I didn't see the show on Monday night, I think it is disgusting how you have been treated. I know from Carly and Ed that they had an amazing time.
Thanks
Jenny
Hey Scott,
Don't be devastated! After 20 years in the tourism industry (Retail, Wholesale, Airline, and Hotelier on 3 continents) I've found that you can't please all the people all the time. Believe in your product and stand firm. Unlike most commercial operators you have a key humanitarian element that sets you apart. Just think about all the kids in Fiji that you are helping.
Judy and I had a great time, and it was very rewarding for us and our kids to see the village of Malevu. Your travel product is not a resort holiday, it's (soft)adventure travel. As a result of experiencing similar travel in Asia and Africa previously, one expects the unexpected. If I wanted a marble bathroom I would have gone to the Sheraton.
Keep up the good work, any publicity is good publicity and turn it to your advantage.
Best Regards,
Stuart Harrigan.
Hello Scott,
I am angry about the treatment you are getting at the hands of Channel 7’s atrocious program. Wendy and I have had a wonderful stay at Namatakula. The food was absolutely first class – fish caught locally the night before it was served to us, food grown on site and prepared and cooked in traditional manner (no additives!) and prepared hygienically.
Judith and Simon were great hosts – if we ever get the opportunity we will visit them again. We were accepted as part of the family. The village people were very inclusive. I expressed interest in a game of volley ball and was taken to where it was being played and quickly included in a team.
We want to go back.
I want to get onto Media Watch and suggest they expose this dishonest practice.
Do not be discouraged, Scott – remember that if you cast pearls before swine they will trample them. With any large number of people there is going to be some person who has no appreciation of what has been offered. It is a sad commentary on Channel 7 that they are willing to run with this sort of story. I will try to express an opinion to them also.
Regards
Eddie Smith
Sounds like the current affairs program are going off half cocked!
Just for the record, every member of the group (of ten) I took to Namatakula village in July thought it was the highlight of the trip. As an experienced tour operator I found the homestay to be extremely well organised, very good value for money and was a major part of our first Fiji trip being so successful.
I'd be happy to speak with any reporter about my experiences. You can give them my mobile phone no +84913211284 (Vietnam) if they'd like another opinion.
Hope it works out and they don't cause you too much grief.
Cheers
Steve (from Intrepid Traveller)
I've just received your mail. I haven't had a chance to look at the links yet but I can understand how you feel so I am sending this mail to offer support.
I was in the Holiday business for over 15 years - I ran my own company featuring individually owned Irish Cottages. I too was on the receiving end of two particularly nasty pieces of litigation, one ended up in court and in spite of the fact that I had photographic evidence and witnesses to back me up I lost to a very clever and manipulative 'professional complainer'. I paid the second one off before reaching court as it was the cheaper and easier option.
Unfortunately in the current climate the person who takes the initiative and sets up any company offering any service will generally be assumed to be guilty in the event of a complaint by a member of the public.
As I live in the UK I will not be able to watch the programme you mention, all I can do if offer you my support. I hope I will still be able to stay at Namatukula in December and that the villagers do not lose out on what is a very ecologically sound and innovative scheme.
I may be in a position to offer help and advice on the continuance of fijibure, please contact me if I can do anything and please don't lose heart, most people understand the workings of tabloid television and you will have more sympathy than you realise.
Best wishes
Mary Lynch
Bula Scott,
Well, I can't imagine what it must be like to try and defend yourself against the likes of this incident. Having returned from a homestay only a week ago, I am still wishing I was there!
If I had any doubts about your venture, or the people and villages, I'd never have taken my two children (13 and 11) nor would my partner have taken his 6 year old son. We had a great time. It was interesting to watch cooking take place "Fijian" style, the kids were fascinated by village life and the village, Malevu, was just as we expected. The toilet was at the back of the house, the beds were comfortable and clean, the mosquito nets were a big hit with the kids, and there was no sign of unhygienic practices.
We enjoyed Malevu very much. It was not "five-star", yet that was the attraction, we wanted to experience something a little more cultural and "real" and for our children to do the same. They did, and I am really pleased they did. It was an experience we will never forget and daily my children ask if they can write and send things to the kids in the village that they met and became friends with.
Thanks for what you do - don't give up. It would be sad to see the dreams of these village people extinguished through a couple of narrow minded people and a television show that has nothing better to report on once Grand Finals are over.
If we can help in any way, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Regards
Judy
Scott,
I'm more likely to go on a holiday that the Today Tonight show will trash - I have always hated the program and am looking forward to my holiday!
I will speak with leilani, but i suspect her view will be the same. Very sorry they have chanced over you guys.
Jen
Dear Scott
I don’t know you from Adam but from an inquiry some months ago we are on your list of email addresses. We did subsequently come to Fiji but did not, in the event, stay in any of your ‘homestays’. It sounds as if you have become an unfortunate victim of the media and one woman’s actions – as they say ‘it only takes one bad apple etc’. Just to say that from reading your various emails, you are obviously very committed and from having visited Fiji and meeting very many different and lovely people. I am sure you do not deserve your bad press. I hope you don’t suffer too much and wish you the best. I think that you have reacted admirably by offering to refund disconcerted guests but hope that it will not be necessary.
Good luck
Sally Blaksley
I'm not sure my opinion carries much weight, as I have only recently found your website and enquired about homestays in Fiji, and have obviously not visited any of the villages or seen the Today Tonight story yet, but......
For what it's worth, I found the Fijibure.com website to be about as up front and down to earth as any promotional material for holiday destinations I have ever seen. Your account of the accommodation and facilities are about as frank as you can get (although rarely ever see).
Not to mention the fact that you have pictures of just about everything, and those are certainly not the misleading glamour shots you see in most brochures etc.
Please have faith that there are, and will still be, people for whom the idea of a homestay holiday is not only desirable but preferable, and for whom the modesty and reality of the surroundings are part of the attraction - no matter what the likes of Today Tonight have to say.
We've all seen Today Tonight, and we all know what they are about. I'm truly sorry that you are having to go through this, but again, please have faith/hope that most Australians have the common sense to see this sort of journalism (using the term loosely) for what it is.
Good luck
Kevin Sheehan
Hello Scott,
I am appalled!!
You will recall I stayed with Simon and Judith at Namatakula in May 2004.
My experience was exactly as described on your web site. I found my stay relaxing and very interesting.
I loved the Fijian food and the company of Simon, Judith and Tempa my guide.
For FD$60 a night it is a bargain and the money stays with the local people.
I have stayed in many Pacific Island communities and every thing about Namatakula was as good or better standards.
What sort of a person is Michelle Tapper and what sort of an organisation is Channel Seven?
You and your wife did not deserve this sort of treatment all due to the media’s hunger for sensation from the complaints of an obviously misguided woman.
Regards
Terry Lobban
Dear Scott,
We are shocked to hear what you and your family have been subjected to recently. Please try not to take these cheap attacks personally, you and your wife.
Unfortunately, as we live in Canada, we will not be able to follow this dirty saga on Australian television. However, we do want to assure you that we have no interest in cancelling our homestay booking in December. And I trust that others will not be cancelling on this basis either.
Please know that you have our full and unqualified support. Everyone we've mentioned our travel plans to wants to know more about the homestay portion of our trip. These are people who, once they've heard of our experience, will themselves want to be travelling to Fiji with such a sustainable and culturally compatible form of tourism option available to them.
It is very difficult to understand what motivates people to do the kinds of things you've outlined in your email. Hopefully, most listeners will see through the set up that is broadcast to them and make their own minds up accordingly.
Warmest regards to you and your family,
Ingrid Taggart and Tony Hodge
Oh, Scott, I am so sorry and outraged to hear the news.
I am hoping that the TV folks do not air the story when they realize that they have it all wrong. Even if they do air it, Australian Television is not seen in other parts of the world. Is it possible to sue them for the mental and financial harm that they do with their inaccurate reporting?
Please tell your wife that I am thinking of you both.
Mary Anne Compton
Dear Scott
I am sorry about the trouble you are having.
As I have very young children and due to there being allegations of disease in the villages, I will be unable to stay there. The allegations may be unfounded but unfortunately, I cannot take the risk.
Could you please refund me this money as soon as possible and advise me when this has been done.
Thanks and regards
Nicole
Hello Scott,
I expect you have had plenty of support during the day, I hope you are feeling better able to cope with events now.
Obviously you are not in the best frame of mind to see a way forward at the moment, that will come after this television programme when you have had time to review the situation. I hope you don't allow yourself to be pressured into any decisions due to this very unpleasant ordeal.
Apart from offering my support I would like to talk to you regarding the site and the villagers in Fiji. I think your concept is very good but ahead of its time. The travel business has to become more ecologically sound both from a resources point of view and also consumer demand. The resort complexes have reached saturation point and many are now finding it hard to fill their rooms. This is happening globally yet there is continued expansion - usually government aided. I think the fijibure concept is the way tourism should be going.
As I said I have worked in Ireland on a similar basis to you. I only dealt with individual owners, I chose places for their location and individuality and I had many happy customers over the years. The government backed Irish Tourist Board was always doing their best to finish me off, on one memorable occasion in 1992 they removed all my brochures from a stand at a German Tourist Fair. This was because I did not conform to their way of practice, I chose properties that didn't have televisions or washing machines or were possibly on a rough approach road and consequently did not qualify for Tourist Board promotion. The fact that they were in stunning locations and owned by local people who really cared about their visitors was not relevant.
The Tourist Board was busy sending people to the vast newly built holiday village complexes all over the country where visitors had all electrical appliances but also streets and streets of other holiday visitors. These complexes were not owned by local people but usually by companies or wealthy individuals in the cities or abroad who were looking for Tax Breaks. Ireland is now reaping the benefit of this action with rapidly falling visitor numbers.
Sorry to rant so long but I think the situation you find yourself in is similar to the one I was in at the end of the 90's. I put a web site together last year to promote a few properties for people, have a look www.irehols.com and this year I got involved with a small hotel who is struggling against the big chains - he's since given up the fight like so many others. www.glencarhotel.com
I may be able to help market the fiji concept - I have contacts in UK, Holland and Germany who also promote 'different' kinds of holidays and of course the internet now makes any business global. I would certainly be interested in talking to you some more about this. I admire what you have done so far and I hope you survive to fight another day after this very unfair attack from the gutter media.
Regards
Mary
Dear Scott
I was most disappointed to read of the troubles that have come about, regarding the TV company and Fiji homestays.
I can only say, as I'm sure most of the previous vistors will echo, that we had a wonderful time in Namatakula village. Our one week stay at the same time as the other English couple Ed and Carly was probably the highlight of our round the world trip.
Judith and Simon looked after us as family and I would be terribly sad to see all the good work undone as the result of a couple of "tourists" who probably should never have gone to Fiji in the first place.
I sincerely hope that things can be resolved speedily to spare you and your family any more distress.
Best Wishes
Mike and Eileen Saunders
Southampton, UK
Scott
Just got your emails. What a crock.
It is probably too late, but I would be happy to talk to Today Tonight if it helps.
James
Scott,
Hi, thank you for sending me this email. I read the link you gave regarding the Today Tonight programme and I must say that is seems very wrong what they are doing. I am not in Australia so will not have the opportunity to watch the programme.
I would just like to say that I still intend to go ahead with my Village Homestay on 22nd - 27th November 2004 at Namuamua.
I understand that you must be extremely busy with what is happening with the programme etc, but if you could just let me know that the arrangements to meet Tomaasi and Emma at the jetty at Navua Town which will then take me up to Namuamua.
Many thanks for all your information and help throughout this booking process.
Regards,
Mark Greenwood
Hi Scott,
Just wanted to email you to lend our support and to urge you not to give up on the project. Our stay in Namatukala with Simon, Judith and the family was without doubt the highlight of our trip to Fiji. The hospitality was very genuine and the food was fantastic. We really enjoyed the discussions with Tema during the day and Simon and Judith at night about the differences and similarities between life in Ireland and Fiji. We left Namatakula with a real understanding and appreciation of life in the village. I hope you don´t become too discouraged at the current situation and that more travellers like ourselves get to expericence the homestays. Simon and Judith were fantastic hosts and explained to us how the money they earned from the homestays would be used to renovate the community centre. We left in no doubt of the genuine nature of the whole fijibure.com project. During our time in Fiji we stayed at different islands and resorts and witnessed the exploitation of the Fijian people by ruthless western businessmen. It´s these so called "resorts" that should be investigated. Please find attached photo´s of our visit to Namatakula. We have already sent Simon and Judith some photos of home and a 2005 calendar of Ireland as a token of our appreciation and have enthused about our stay to fellow travellers.
All the best,
Brian and Niamh.
Hope you are able to cope with all the crap being pushed your way. We still have every intention of doing our village stay. As you have stated it is living with the locals, not a 5 star resort. So we hope you keep going, as the venture is helping out the locals.
Regards
Peter,Louise and Family
Hi Scott
Just a quick note to add my support to what it is that you have done over there in Fiji. I greatly admire your work and I know that you are making a world of difference to those people and villages there and I believe that you should receive an award for your efforts. The last thing you deserve is what has just happened..
I know it may be hard to believe this right now, but this will all pass and it will make no difference in a week or so. Please ride it out and then get back to what you are doing. I know first hand what a difference you are making and what a unique experience you are offering.
All the best
Chris
I have stumbled accross your website after returning from Fiji with my 10 year old son last night. I stayed at Sonaisali Island Resort, which is definetely one of the overpriced, overwhelming resorts. As it was our first time in Fiji I went with the recommendations of the travel agent, not really knowing the alternatives.
My son and I got very friendly with the indigenous Fijian staff that worked at Sonaisali, alot of them being from the nearby village of Korovuto. I found out that the true owners of Sonaisali are the villagers and that an Australian by the name of Macguire from Sydney had taken a 99 year lease of Sonaisali and in return is (apparently) improving things for their community.
Most of the staff informed me that they were being paid only $2.60 per hour, with no overtime allowance which I thought was disgusting. The highlight of my trip to Fiji was getting to know these people. My son and I went to the village of Korovuto and spent a small amount of time with the villagers. The village was very clean. The people obviously were very proud of their heritage and community.
From what I was told by the villagers the leasers of Sonaisali had assisted the village by providing power and phone cabling to the village. From the prices being charged at the resort, they could provide so much more in my opinion. My son was very welcomed by the children, with both of us becoming very fond of a couple of gorgeous little 5 year old girls.
I am not sure how you choose your homestay villages, but was wondering if you could consider Korovuto village, as I know that the villagers are very welcoming towards guests and very much in need of the financial aide that this would bring them.
I read the information on your website about Today Tonight and was disgusted by what I read, although I have to say, not surprised really. These people truly have no idea and the show is renowned for gutter journalism. I did not watch the show, as I have no interest on listening to propaganda at its finest.
I am not in the tourism industry but have been a business manager for 12 years and have a good business mind. If I can assist you in anyway to maintain this wonderful homestay accommodation venture that you have undertaken in Fiji I would be more than happy and would feel priviledged to assist.
I have found your website to be incredibly informative and urge that you don't let these gutter journalists dampen your spirit, as you are doing something so worthwhile for these people. I was so touched and inspired by the people that I met at Korovuto that I can't wait for my next trip to Fiji, in which I most definetely want to stay in homestay accommodation.
Sandy
After reading that i very much changed my mind, you guys are completely right. I apologise as to how i went off earlier in this email using a few choice words, obviously i was uninformed about everything. I think personally you should do something about this, contact Today Tonight and give your side of the story. I have told my friends about this, and expect us to be going to your 'adventure' resort in fiji very soon.
Those people at Today Tonight are downright asswholes (again, exuse the language). I had some friends that went to your area and came back with nothing but the best of information about the whole experience, they even described it as life changing. I hope what was shown does not affect your business, any publicity is good publicity, especially with your excellently written perspective on the issues relating with those journalists.
G`day Scott,
Chin up mate - you are doing a really great job!
Have just emailed today tonight and expressed my outrage.
I am sure plenty of others have done the same.
Cheers,
Kinney Murray
Hi Scott,
Well....after watching that little piece of Today Tonight I am still smirking. It was so totally one-sided (and yes, I called today Tonight straight after it and told them of my family's wonderful experience there and why wasn't the story more balanced), it was almost laughable.
I don't think you have (or at least I hope) much to worry about. A sore throat one day after arrival wouldn't indicate much more than cold coming on BEFORE leaving. Aircraft often give you a sore throat too. As for travelling without insurance - well I'm sorry but that is just plain stupid. Hepatitis A, pnemonia etc. are not things that show up two days into a vacation. People will see these people for exactly what they are - spoiled and obviously used to a few stars on the hotel rating's list.
Having stayed in some very nice hotels throughout Asia and the United States, I'd still not trade my Malevu experience for anything. It was so cool to watch cooking on hot coals, scaling fish and eating them straight away, catching octopus and the like. Nothing compares. While it is nice to have a hot shower and fluffy robes, I've done that before, and I'm sure so have those on the news article complaining. Try and find a smile and stay strong, you and the villagers are providing something unique and special and so worth while, hang in there!
Regards
Judy and family
Ni sa bula Scott,
I read about the disaster that has befallen you, your family and most sadly the Fijian entrepreneurs who were finally getting an opportunity to participate in Fiji's tourism development. I have written about Fiji since 1972 and lived there from 72 - 74. I have published Fiji destination articles in ten countries. When I first learned about the Fiji homestay programme, I was delighted. It sure as heck beats the trickle down effect for helping people who need it the most.
I am offering you the opportunity to write a guest article for one of my Suite101.com topics - Current Events - The Pacific Islands. Unfortunately, my topics are limited to about 1,200 words but you are welcome to provide lots of links and you will be able to depend on me to do a follow up article when the timing is right. You may care to go to the above URL and go through my articles. You will find that I have been around for awhile. I think that an article from you would do more to support your case against the tyranny of the Australian media much better than I could do because, after all this is a core element for you, while it is only a peripheral item for me.
I first visited Fiji in 1966, about a year after Raymond Burr had purchased Naitauba from Mrs. Hennings, who I was fortunate in meeting on a jaunt to Naitauba. I have many fond memories of my first days in Fiji as you will soon gather when you scan my articles. I don't know if some of the Taveuni locals ever did forgive me for my Fast Eddie article though.
Please let me know if you wish to go ahead with this.
Suite 101.com receives slightly in excess of two million visitors a month and has 500,000 members and over 500 writers, including Sally Odgers, who lives in Tasmania. We just might be able to help.
Vinaka
Ni sa moce
Larry Low
Hi there,
This is just a quick note to let you know how appalled I was watching Today tonight on monday. I used to be a big fan of that show,taking everything they said as gospel....how wrong I was.
I have visited Fiji 28 times over the past 16 years. During my visits I always stay on the coral coast. Having been so often I have formed many great friendships with a number of the locals and have always been welcomed into their homes.
I cannot beleive those clients would be so rude as to put down the efforts and troubles their hosts went to. Do they have no understanding of the world outside their own homes? The fijians are a friendly race trying to keep hold of their traditions and the real fiji while the western world tries to take over as it has done in other areas of the pacific. So what they may not have the basics such as fresh running tap water....how many people have been to a resort or hotel in bali and caught "bali belly"?
Finally, I would like to say to the people making fiji out to be "hell on earth" If its a holiday you're after, then stay home and take your phone of the hook!!!!
vinaka
Jodi-Lee Tautua
Hello Scott
We want to let you know that we would like to keep our booking for Namatakula 1-3 November, for which we have sent a deposit. We do not put much stock into programs like Today Tonight, which we don't see in the US anyway. Given the information you have provided, I am sure we will have a wonderful time with Simon, Judith and others in the village.
Yes, we would like transportation to the village. Could you please arrange that with Simon? We will be staying at the Trendwest Resort in Denarau. Just let us know what time he would like us to be ready to depart.
Thank you so much for what you have started with the villages in Fiji, and we hope that it can continue either with you or with someone to whom you feel comfortable passing the torch. If you have decided to discontinue your association with FijiBure before our village stay, please let us know as soon as possible how our arrangements may be affected. We hope you take heart and decide to keep it going. I don't believe a few nay-sayers will ruin what you have built.
I hope we have a chance to meet, but if not know that our good thoughts are with you and your family.
Sincerely,
John & Marilyn Nelson
Eugene, Oregon, USA