Fiji Records Best Ever International Visitor Arrival Result

Fiji has established a new visitor arrival record welcoming more than 631,000 international visitors across 2010.

Figures released by the Bureau of Statistics show a 631,868 international visitors travelled to the destination for the 12-month period January-December 2010, that figure eclipsing the 542,186 total achieved for the same period in 2009 by more than 16 per cent.

An ecstatic Tourism Fiji CEO, Josefa Tuamoto said while the 2010 result had seen the destination cross the 600,000 visitor mark for the first time, it had also effectively smashed previous visitor arrival projections set in 2009 in which the destination had set a target of 600,000 international travellers for 2010.

Australia continued to be the primary source of growth in arrivals to Fiji for the period with arrivals increasing by 28 per cent year on year to 318,185, in the process accounting for 50.4 per cent of total arrivals. 

New Zealand visitor arrivals reached 97,857, a 7.7 per cent growth on the previous year, United States of America arrivals increased by three per cent to top 53,122, Pacific Islands numbers rose 11.7 per cent to 39,198 and Continental Europe figures rose by four per cent to 30,088.

Mr Tuamoto again pointed towards the national tourist office's ongoing efforts in its key emerging markets and particularly China and India which have seen exponential growth across 2010.

"The Fiji Government’s ongoing backing of Tourism Fiji and its decision last year to re-allocated an FJD23.5 million budget to the tourism sector has undoubtedly played a key role for a major increase in Fiji's tourism profile in its existing major source markets," he said.

"However this funding is also enabling Tourism Fiji to develop even more profile in several key emerging markets we see as offering huge potential. These include China, India and Russia.

“Add to that, the funding also allows Tourism Fiji to step up its efforts in attracting niche market, special interest and sustainable tourism business into the destination. 

"This includes surfers, the silver market, backpackers, meetings, incentive and conference business, dive and maritime tourism and the key romantic travel market.

"Elements of the funding are also being well spent on helping to promote several of Fiji's non-traditional tourism regions - Kadavu, the Northern Islands, Lomaiviti and the Sunshine coast. 

"There can be no doubt we are well on the way to seeing our country's tourism industry evolve into a 'multi-million dollar' operation as evidenced by this fantastic 2010 result."

For further information, please contact Tourism Fiji's CEO's office at aledua@tourismfiji.com.fj

Update from Tourism Fiji Japan

TOURISM Fiji personnel in Japan are safe following the earthquake that hit northern Japan at the weekend. 

Despite structural damages, Japan based representative, Ms Iki Kawabata reports that she has been able to operate under current adverse conditions. All email correspondence may not be addressed promptly however all enquiries relating to the Japanese market can be directed through Tourism Fiji's head office in Nadi.

Ms Kawabata will continue to update Tourism Fiji head office as soon as information comes to hand.

"Our condolences go to the people of Japan and our prayers are with those that are still missing."

For further information, please contact Tourism Fiji's CEO's office at aledua@tourismfiji.com.fj

Tourism Fiji announces China/Hong Kong workshop series

Tourism Fiji in conjunction with Air Pacific and participating industry partners are currently holding a four city workshop series visiting Shenyang, Hangzhou, Guangzhou and Shenzhen from 15 – 18 March 2011.

A separate Hong Kong workshop is scheduled for 23March 2011.

The objective of the workshops, as in previous visits, is to update the local travel industry with the latest Fiji travel packages for 2011 and also underline the ever-growing range of diverse products and services now on offer in Fiji.

For further information, please contact Tourism Fiji’s marketing officer, Mr. Kiniviliame Raicebe atkraicebe@tourismfiji.com.fj

Fiji MICE seminar

Tourism Fiji in conjunction with Air Pacific and Qantas is organizing a MICE seminar scheduled to take place at the Westin Denarau Island Resort & Spa on 19 March 2011. 

Venue for the event will be the resort’s Senijale Room.

The event is intended to address the importance the C&I sector holds for Fiji and how Fiji as a destination can compete with other destinations for this lucrative business stream.

Speakers at the event include Linda Gaunt, CEO for meeting & Events Australia, Kim Waterhouse, General Manager for Directions (PCO) and Ashard Ali, Director for Enterprise Third Party, Partnership Services, Groups Services, The Wespac Group, Australia.

For further information and registration, please contact Tourism Fiji’s Marketing Officer, Ms Kelly Eastgate atkeastgate@tourismfiji.com.fj