May this year saw 47,000 holidaymakers flock to Fiji – including 10,000 New Zealanders, meaning Fiji travel is not only back, it’s booming, with visitor numbers returning to, and in some cases exceeding, pre-pandemic levels.
June 2022 saw resort occupancy levels exceeded 2019 pre-pandemic numbers and are showing no signs of slowing down with an estimated 20,000 Kiwis plotting their island escape in July. From July there will be 34 flights per week to Fiji from around Aotearoa.
Tourism Fiji New Zealand regional director Sonya Lawson says these numbers are beyond expectations.
"We asked Kiwis to support our pacific island neighbour in their economic recovery, so you can imagine how thrilled Fiji’s resorts are, to be at more than 80 per cent capacity just three months after New Zealand borders reopening.
"Tourism is very significant in Fiji, making up 40 per cent of the GDP and employing around one in eight locals, so we’re very grateful that people are choosing to spend their holiday time out in our idyllic nation."
Plantation Island Resort reported that Kiwis accounted for around 40 per cent of ticket sales in the past three months, citing reconnecting with family and friends as being the major drawcard, and Fiji being well-positioned as a central meeting point for people to come together from around the world.
