Tourism is a vital part of the economy

Official figures show only 12,000 people visited Fiji in June, a drop of more than two-thirds compared with the previous year.

If the trend continues, correspondents say it could have serious repercussions for Fiji's tourist industry.

Meanwhile, the country's top union official has been briefly detained by men believed to be linked to supporters of coup leader George Speight.

Felix Anthony, head of the Fiji Trades Union Congress, was held after organising a day of protest calling on people to stay at home to show their support for the restoration of democratic government.

Locked up

Mr Anthony said four men stormed into his office on Wednesday and threatened to kill him if he continued to publicly state his opposition to the interim government.

Speight is still being held in prison

The unionist is already a controversial figure for calling for Australian trade sanctions to be imposed following Mr Speight's coup in May.

He said the intruders locked him in a room until the police came.

"It's concerning, but I will not let people bully me," Mr Anthony added.

Speight allies held

In another development the military has arrested three of Mr Speight's associates - his brother Jim, Iliesa Duvuloco and Varenava Tiko.

Military spokesman Major Howard Politini confirmed that Mr Duvuloco had been injured during his arrest on Tuesday evening.

"He resisted arrest and he was under the influence [of alcohol]," Mr Politini said.

Mr Speight was himself charged on Tuesday with crimes relating to a wave of civil unrest across the country.

He has been accused of a relatively minor crime, unlawful assembly, which carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison.

But he could still face a charge of treason which carries the death penalty.

Power

Rebels led by Mr Speight deposed the government of Mahendra Chaudhry after storming parliament on 19 May.

Mr Speight held Mr Chaudhry - Fiji's first ethnic Indian prime minister - and most of his multi-racial cabinet hostage for 56 days.

He said Fiji's ethnic Indians, who make up 44% of the population, had too much power over indigenous Fijians.

Mr Speight and more than 350 of his followers were arrested in a raid on their camp last week.