A TOTAL OF $US21.4million (approx $F48m) is contributed directly to the economy by the cruise tourism sector, said Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Viliame Gavoka.
Mr Gavoka said the indirect contribution to the economy is estimated at $US22.7m (approx $F51m).
He was responding to a question by Opposition MP Taito Rokomatu in Parliament yesterday for an update on the Government’s strategy to maximise economic benefits from the growing cruise tourism sector.
He said Fiji welcomed 83,473 cruise ship passengers in 2023, a significant increase over 2022 when 15,863 cruise visitors arrived at our shores.
“Looking at 2024, we received 86,151 cruise visitors, who contributed $7.4million to the economy,” Mr Gavoka said.
“Tentative cruise schedules show we can expect up to 164 cruise visits this year compared to 133 last year.”
Mr Gavoka said on average cruise passengers spend $118 in Lautoka per person per day, followed by $104 in Suva, $102 per person in Denarau, $56 per person in Savusavu,and $3 in Dravuni on Kadavu.
“A strong positive correlation was found between passenger satisfaction and spending.
“That is, the more satisfied passengers are with a variety of things to see, do and purchase, the longer they stay ashore and the more they spend.
“These ships we anticipate will call into Kadavu, Lau, which is Vanuabalavu and Fulaga, Savusavu, Taveuni, Lautoka, Suva and Levuka.”
