Fiji’s tourism sector is showing unexpected strength heading into the May–October peak season, with forward bookings tracking at levels comparable to the same period last year, Tourism Fiji says. The government agency on Friday described the outlook as “positive and stable,” pointing to secure fuel supplies and growing aviation capacity from Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Vancouver as key enablers for demand through the winter months in the Northern Hemisphere.
Tourism Fiji chief executive Dr Paresh Pant said the combination of steady bookings and additional seats into Fiji gives the industry confidence. “Fiji is open for business and operating as normal. Our forward bookings and aviation capacity point to a positive and stable outlook as we move into our peak season,” he said, underlining that travel continuity has been a priority for the sector amid ongoing global economic and geopolitical pressures.
Industry sources report operators are already running at strong capacity and that sector activity is being bolstered by two major international television productions now filming in Fiji. Tourism Fiji confirmed the shoots are using roughly 600 hotel rooms per night and will continue to occupy that accommodation through to late July, providing a short-term boost to room revenue, catering and ground services.
The meetings and events market is also contributing to momentum. The MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) sector has delivered several recent conferences that brought in hundreds of delegates, and organisers expect further bookings in the coming months. Tourism officials say MICE growth helps smooth seasonality by filling hotels and supporting restaurants, transport operators and local suppliers outside traditional holiday travel itineraries.
Damend Gounder, chair of the Tourism Action Group, said the sector’s resilience has been a product of close cooperation between industry and government. “Despite global economic pressures, Fiji’s tourism industry is showing strong resilience, working collectively and proactively to sustain and grow the tourism momentum,” he said. Gounder and other industry leaders have repeatedly urged continued coordination on marketing, air access and operational readiness as sources of stability.
Authorities are emphasising Fiji’s accessibility and proximity to key source markets — particularly Australia and New Zealand — as a competitive advantage, along with the country’s reputation for hospitality. Tourism Fiji officials say maintaining aviation links and a reliable fuel supply are central to keeping itineraries on track and travellers confident. The agency did not disclose carrier names or precise seat numbers but highlighted recent capacity increases from several long-haul and regional markets.
This update follows broader efforts by the government and tourism stakeholders to support investment and longer-term sustainability. Earlier policy moves, such as extensions to tax incentives for tourism investors and new destination planning initiatives, have aimed to attract capital and diversify offerings beyond traditional resort stays into sustainable and events-based tourism. Industry leaders say those measures, combined with current forward bookings and temporary boosts from film and conference activity, point to a healthier peak season than some analysts had feared.
What will be watched over the next weeks are whether airline seat increases hold, how the film productions’ local supply chains perform, and whether forward bookings convert into arrivals as the peak travel period approaches. For now, Tourism Fiji and industry representatives are signalling confidence that the destination is ready to receive travellers and to capitalise on a busy May–October window.
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