Fiji has achieved its highest-ever number of visitor arrivals for September, totaling 92,591, as reported by the Fiji Bureau of Statistics. This figure represents a 2.4 percent increase compared to September 2022, exceeding pre-pandemic numbers by 13.8 percent over September 2019.
However, this was a slight decrease from August 2023, which recorded 94,787 arrivals. Australia remained the leading source of visitors, contributing nearly half of all arrivals at 47.8 percent, or 44,254 tourists. New Zealand followed with 22,625 visitors, accounting for 24.4 percent, while the United States contributed 7,923 arrivals, representing 8.6 percent. Smaller markets, including China, Continental Europe, Canada, and the UK, combined for 8.1 percent of total visitors.
The majority of tourists, 81.6 percent, visited for holiday purposes, while 8 percent came to see friends or relatives. Business trips made up only 2 percent, with the remaining 8.4 percent visiting for other reasons.
Demographically, 64.2 percent of visitors were aged 25-64. Children under 14 years accounted for 16.4 percent of arrivals, while those aged 65 and older comprised 10.3 percent. The youth category, aged 15-24, made up 9.1 percent. Gender differences were particularly noticeable in certain age groups, with more women than men visiting in categories such as those aged 20-24 and 25-29.
In terms of departures, 16,122 Fijian residents left the country in September. A significant majority, 92.2 percent, were departing for less than three months, often for holidays (54.1 percent) or visiting friends and relatives (35 percent). Meanwhile, 5 percent left for long-term absences of a year or more, primarily for employment, education, or emigration.