FIJI cannot be compared with Asian destinations in terms of tourist arrivals, according to the Minister for Tourism Faiyaz Koya.
Mr Koya made this comment when asked if the growing popularity of Asian destinations among Australians affected visitor arrivals into the country.
According to Mr Koya the visitor arrivals from Australia and New Zealand were still big with a slight global decrease in Chinese visitors.
“Australia and New Zealand is still big, our growth areas India and China have had increases too, but I think around the world slight decrease in Chinese visitors, but we have had good numbers from everywhere,” Mr Koya said.
He said destinations like Bali were different from Fiji and could not be compared as both had different offerings.
“I don’t think it is a comparison, Bali and Fiji we are a different kettle of fish, Bali is a destination on its own it has its own market at the end of the day. Fiji and Bali are no comparison if you really look at it,” he said.
“Fiji is unique in its marketing, Fiji is unique as a destination for tourists. So I don’t like to compare it with Bali.”
Mr Koya further added that the tourism industry in Fiji does not target specific markets, but aimed at making yields.
“People who go on holiday don’t compare Bali and Fiji it is a different kettle of fish. We don’t specifically target one market our target is to get yield.”
The month of August saw a total of 82,316 visitor arrivals which is an increase from August 2016, however the visitor arrivals for August this year showed a decrease from July.
There was an increase in arrivals from Australia, New Zealand and Asia with decreases noted from China European countries as of August this year.
Meanwhile the total earning of visitors from Australia stood at $20.9m for the first quarter of the year, followed by New Zealand with $40.3m.
