Now that is great news! We welcomed 99,311 visitors last month, marking the highest number of visitors arrival in a single month in our history.
According to Tourism Fiji, this milestone surpasses both July, 2024, and pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
It’s the way to go!
At the heart of this is the strong support from our largest tourism market, Australia.
Our Australian visitors accounted for an impressive 45 percent of all arrivals.
However, long-haul markets have also shown increases, with arrivals from the United States up 7 percent year-on-year, Canada up 10 percent, the United Kingdom growing by 19 percent, and Europe up by 8 percent.
In saying that, tourism is not just about numbers though. It’s about impact. In July alone, our visitors spent an estimated $343million, reinforcing the sector’s role as the lifeblood of the economy.
Cruise tourism also added to the big picture, with 3132 cruise passengers arriving during the month.
So with tourism contributing 40 percent to our economy, the sector’s strength is critical to national growth and prosperity.
Brent Hill, CEO of Tourism Fiji, celebrated the milestone, pointing out, “July has been our biggest month ever”.
He emphasised that despite the rising numbers, we retain our unique charm, a sense of space, authenticity, and intimacy that global travellers seek.
“With resorts and activities spread across 333 islands, visitors can still enjoy their own private escape — from secluded island resorts to hiking trails and waterfalls with no one else around,” he said.
In the face of that, we say improving connections to Vanua Levu and surrounding islands, is the next important step.
Many of these areas boast pristine natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and experiences that can rival those in more trafficked areas like Nadi and the Coral Coast.
But to unlock the true potential of the North, we have always said there is an urgent need to improve transportation services for our visitors.
So, let’s cut down travel time connecting Nadi International Airport to destinations in the North for instance.
Easier access means more visitors, more economic opportunities for local communities, and a more balanced distribution of tourism benefits across the country.
Then there is another important factor we must consider alongside expansion. We must be vigilant stewards of our natural environment. It’s the very charm that draws visitors, our unspoiled beaches, lush rainforests, and thriving marine ecosystems that must be protected.
Sustainable development is a necessity. Any future tourism growth must be underpinned by strong environmental protections, investment in eco-friendly infrastructure, and community-driven conservation programs.
As we reflect on a month of record-breaking achievement, the road ahead for Fiji tourism is clear.
Let’s build on this momentum by making every corner of Fiji accessible, welcoming, and preserved for future generations!