China remains an ever important market for Fiji’s tourism, says Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka.

While welcoming 260 passengers onboard Fiji Airways’ first flight from Hong Kong in three years, he said before the pandemic, the Chinese market was Fiji’s fourth largest market contributing $98.5 million in tourism earnings.

“China is the second biggest economy in the world with 1 billion people,” he said.

“It is a no-brainer to be there in a big way. The connectivity that we have through Fiji Airways is pivotal to all of that.

“Hopefully down the line we can have a daily flight to Hong Kong with seven flights a week.

“That can happen because it has happened in the past and when that happens, the average 50,000 visitors that we get from this market can be exceeded.

“The Chinese market into South East Asia is about 30 million visitors and if we get one per cent of that it will be a game changer for Fiji.

“We will change quite dramatically.” He said the reopening of the Hong Kong flight will bring more opportunities for Fiji.

“The opportunities are beginning to reopen for us that were closed for the last three years.” “Prior to COVID-19, Fiji welcomed more than 50,000 visitors from Hong Kong and mainland China alone.

“The Chinese market, our fourth largest market pre-COVID was one of the highest yielding markets contributing $98.5 million in tourism earnings.”

Chinese Embassy First Counsellor Ma Guoliang said the group was the first Chinese tourists to arrive into Fiji after China resumed outbound travel earlier this year.

“The resumption of flights between Hong Kong and Nadi marks the important people to people exchanges between the two countries and will definitely boost China-Fiji exchanges and co-operation,” he said.