Tourism Fiji posted an advertisement to social media. Offended everyone.

Oh.

This has… happened.

Tourism Fiji has pulled a social media advertisement after it was discovered they made a pretty big gaffe in it.

You see, the ad attempted to explain everyday words in the local indigenous iTaukei language to tourists.

It was all going well until they accidentally translated “Vale ni Lotu” as “toilet” when it actually means church or place of worship.

Yep.

Two very different things.

A Tourism Fiji promotional video translates “toilet” to “Vale Ni Lotu”.
Shouldn’t it be “Vale Ni Vo”? #FijiNews #TeamFiji #Fiji pic.twitter.com/QMRhAalemF

— Anish Chand (@achandftv) April 24, 2018

After the mistake was discovered Tourism Fiji immediately pulled the video from its social media channels and issued an apology.

The tourism authority said a graphic design error was to blame.

“Tourism Fiji takes full responsibility for the error and sincerely regrets any offence this post may have caused our fellow Fijians,” the department said in a statement.

“We take this situation very seriously and are reviewing our internal processes to ensure this does not happen again.”

A lot of people are still very mad though:

Outraged & disgusted that an organization like Tourism Fiji would allow the release of a promotional video on their social media platforms without proper vetting or proof reading. A gross insult and humiliation to the first settlers of this country & the people of Fiji.

— Ro Teimumu Kepa (@RoTeimumuMP) April 25, 2018

This Tourism Fiji drama has nothing to do with translators or graphics or campaigns! This unravels the issue that runs deep within org’s in #fiji. You have capable locals to be Managers, Directors, Executives and Chief Executives! But the Gov looks elsewhere! #fijinow

— Koto (@proud2bkvt) April 25, 2018

Might want to use more local talent next time for translations. #madeinfjji #graphicmistake #toiletchurch?

— Geoffrey Smith (@GeoffreyFiji) April 25, 2018

While some, erm, see the funny side:

Thanks for the laugh @TourismFiji What a stitch-up ????????????.
If you could also include this word as part of your educational campaign. Cici (thee – thee) means run. ???????? #Fijime #Jesustakethewheel

— Tamani Nair (@TamaniNair) April 25, 2018

some people are mad at people who’re mad at people at tourism fiji lmao everybody mad ????

— Bula_Fijian???????? (@Bula_Fijian) April 25, 2018