Fiji’s leading inbound tour operator Rosie Holidays generated over $1.5million during the three-day Homecoming Concert staged at Prince Charles Park in Nadi.
Managing director Tony Whitton said the Rosie Events team, with Rosie Holidays, worked closely with the late George “Fiji” Veikoso and his team to deliver theming, transport logistics and support his vision to deliver a world-class music festival in Fiji.
“This year’s three-day celebration carries special meaning as we honour the late George “Fiji” Veikoso – one of the pioneering voices of the Island Reggae movement more than thirty years ago,” he said.
“It was his dream to see the first Homecoming Concert staged here in Fiji last year, and today we continue to build on his vision. The economic injection of this event into the Fijian economy will be very significant over the three days.
“When you look at ticket sales, they spend at the actual event and then the ancillary expenditure for our international visitors on air fares, lodging etc. For Rosie Holiday’s and Rosie Events this event has generated over $1.5million of economic activity over our various businesses. With our drivers, lodging logistics and event crew working round-the-clock.”
He said the past weekend has been amazing for the Jet Set town of Nadi.
“Our estimates are over 16,000 music fans from across Fiji, the South Pacific and around the globe who share a love for Island Reggae converged for the Homecoming Music Festival.
“The epicentre of this was the music festival, that then resonated out to an economic band between the Coral Coast, Nadi, Denarau, Wailoloa,Nasoso, Lautoka and far as Ba.
“With an economic multiplier into accommodation and lodging, restaurants, transportation, airfares (our international visitors), and so many of the vendors that had food and beverage booths.
“At the event I met people that had flown from Darwin, Wellington, Port Moresby and as far as San Francisco especially for this event.”
Mr Whitton said the three-day event also created jobs and economic activity for Fijian business owners.
“Hosting this event successfully for two years now has shown the world that Fiji is ready and able to host international-calibre music festivals and to use these festivals to fill some of the shoulder months in our tourism calendar such as November and late January, March.
“This a discussion between Rosie Holidays, Tourism Fiji, our national airline, Fiji Airways and music promoters to explore for 2026.
“But all hats off to George “Fiji” Veikoso as it was his dream and what a gift he has given to his country.
“What was also good with the event was to see how Fiji’s vision to have a music festival with some of the island’s reggae biggest names mixing it with some of our amazing local bands. “The crowd also loved seeing some of the famous local bands in the 90s reuniting for this event like Black Rose and Kabani, which was such a treat.
“George “Fiji” Veikoso always saw the potential and talent in our own home-grown bands.”
Mr Whitton said they were delighted with the announcement of a Homecoming Concert 2026.
Minister for Tourism Viliame Gavoka said the Homecoming Concert was bigger than last year and businesses in Nadi and Lautoka did very well.
“Events are an important segment in tourism and Tourism Fiji goes all out to promote them. And Fiji is capable of hosting them as we witnessed in the Homecoming Concerts.”
