FIJI being grouped in the Western South Pacific alongside Vanuatu and New Caledonia for cruise liners can be a big boost in terms of being recognised as a potential cruise liner destination ahead of 14 other countries in the region.
While Vanuatu and New Caledonia are classified as well developed countries in terms of cruise destinations, Fiji is classified in the developing cruise destinations group.
This is part of the information stated in the South Pacific Tourism Organisation report titled Pacific Cruise Market Research and Intelligence Project — Final Report March 2015.
Fiji is stated in the report as one country which is accessible on longer cruises from Sydney, Australia and hosting local small-ship operators year round.
Fiji, Papua New Guinea and French Polynesia/Tahiti are three countries classified in the developing cruise destinations group.
The report also states cruises to Western South Pacific countries — Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia — would come to a total of 1857 days this year.
Three top cruise shipping companies that are always visiting our ports are the P&O, Carnival and Royal Caribbean International. Together, these three shipping companies can bring in 311,000 passengers in a year which is equivalent to 68 per cent of the international brand total.
