Travellers returning from a vacation in Fiji may find themselves paying more than expected to leave the region after the Fijian Government released plans to increase its departure tax by up to FJ$50.

Offering little warning to passengers already in the country and those heading over, the tax hike takes place effective immediately.

Flight Centre in New Zealand said in a statement it is expecting for an influx of customer changes over the coming week of people turning away from the popular holiday destination.

The agency’s executive general manager Mike Friend described the increase as unfair to travellers and expects it to affect thousands of Kiwi travellers.

“To increase departure tax by this significant amount in itself is unfair, but to give such short notice is unacceptable,” Mr Friend said.

Unfair or understandable, what are your thoughts?