When Fiji’s borders reopened to the world on December 1 last year, in just the first two months there were more than 70,000 visitors from around the globe flocking to the place ‘where happiness finds you’.
Since New Zealand’s borders opened on March 5, 2022, it’s now Kiwi’s time to find their happiness as House of Travel reports a 230 per cent increase of sales to Fiji, based on the previous five months of sales combined.
Prior to 2020, Fiji was the third highest outbound destination for Kiwis only behind Australia and America. This week, a House of Travel spokesperson said that Fiji was currently their number one selling destination for all Kiwis looking to travel.
“Families continue to dominate our sales representing 60 per cent of all outbound bookings with a strong presence of multi-generation holidays. Our customers are holidaying for longer too, with an increase in average length of stays,” the House of Travel spokesperson says.
Helloworld Travel saw a whopping 1850 per cent increase in sales revenue for Fiji bookings alone in the last week of February compared to the week prior.
Flight Centre NZ reported that they had tripled all air sales to the island nation in just the first two weeks of March, compared to the entire month of February. The travel agency also reported that families had taken out the top rank with bookings to Fiji, followed closely by couples looking for a romantic international getaway and average length of stay had increased to five to seven night stays.
Since the announcement of New Zealand’s borders opening early March and the commencement of Tourism Fiji’s Open for Happiness marketing campaign, faced by Australian actress Rebel Wilson, Tourism Fiji recorded a 68 per cent spike in online traffic to their www.fiji.travel website from Kiwis looking for information of what it’s like travelling to the country, or simply dreaming up a little inspiration.
Tourism Fiji, New Zealand’s regional director Sonya Lawson says they're excited about the positive projections for 2022 and are thrilled Kiwis can finally get back to the shores of Fiji and experience the Bula Spirit once again.
“The tourism industry previously made up 40 per cent of Fiji’s GDP, so I know the locals, the business owners and the staff are all thrilled to finally be able to welcome Kiwis back. With several resorts, hotels and tourism experiences slated to reopen on April 1, just in time to cater to the influx of holiday starved Kiwis, the uptake of our beautiful pacific island nation couldn’t come at a better time."
