Fiji experienced a significant increase in UK visitors in Q1 of 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic figures.
- 3,074 UK travellers visited Fiji in the first three months, marking a 15% increase from 2023.
- The global numbers for Fiji also exceeded pre-pandemic statistics, with an impressive 16% rise in February 2024 arrivals.
- Factors like enhanced air connectivity and media exposure have driven this growth in tourism.
- Tourism Fiji credits trade partners and new accommodations for boosting the island’s appeal.
In the first quarter of 2024, Fiji’s tourism sector witnessed a notable surge in visitors from the United Kingdom, recording a 15% increase compared to the previous year, and surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Specifically, 3,074 travellers from the UK visited the island nation in the first three months: 1,029 in January, increasing from 914 in 2023; 943 in February, up from 788; and 1,102 in March, up from 951. These figures reflect a robust recovery and growth in Fiji’s tourism sector, illustrative of a global trend as the world navigates post-pandemic travel.
This growth is part of a larger global trend, with February 2024 arrivals in Fiji being 16% higher than the same month in 2020. Such numbers highlight Fiji’s strong recovery and burgeoning appeal as a travel destination, with increased visitor numbers outpacing those seen prior to the pandemic.
Significant contributors to this positive trend include increased airlift, the introduction of new resorts, and Fiji’s presence in popular media. New connections through Japan and Hong Kong, along with a fresh route via Vancouver, have expanded travel options, offering visitors diverse two-centre holiday possibilities. Fiji’s striking landscapes have also been featured as backdrops in widely-viewed television series such as “Married at First Sight Australia” and “Love Island,” showcasing the country’s appeal to a global audience.
Jane West, Tourism Fiji’s regional director for the UK and Europe, expressed delight over these achievements, attributing much of the success to the collaboration with trade partners. “We are delighted to see our numbers exceeding pre-pandemic levels and are thankful to our trade partners in contributing to the UK traveller’s interest in Fiji,” she remarked, underscoring the strategic partnerships that have facilitated this growth.
The expansion of lodging options has further enhanced Fiji’s attractiveness to tourists. Newly introduced accommodations complement the long-standing popular resorts, providing a wider range of choices to incoming visitors and enhancing the overall visitor experience.
Fiji’s flourishing tourism numbers emphasise its growing status as a desirable destination within the global travel sector.
