Fiji has reported a record high in visitor arrivals for September, totaling 92,591, according to preliminary data from the Fiji Bureau of Statistics. This figure represents a 2.4 percent increase compared to September 2022 and exceeds pre-pandemic levels by 13.8 percent compared to September 2019.
However, the number of tourists dipped slightly from August 2023, which had 94,787 arrivals. Australia remained the largest source of visitors, contributing nearly 50 percent of the total with 44,254 tourists, which accounts for 47.8 percent of arrivals. New Zealand followed with 22,625 visitors (24.4%), while the United States provided 7,923 visitors (8.6%). Smaller percentages came from China, Continental Europe, Canada, and the UK, together making up 8.1 percent of total visitors.
The majority of tourists were visiting for holiday purposes, making up 81.6 percent of arrivals, while 8 percent came to visit friends or relatives. Business travelers represented only 2 percent, with the remainder visiting for various other reasons.
In terms of demographics, most visitors were aged 25-64, accounting for 64.2 percent of total arrivals. Children under 14 represented 16.4 percent, while seniors aged 65 and older made up 10.3 percent. The youth demographic, aged 15-24, comprised 9.1 percent of all arrivals. Notably, gender differences appeared in certain age groups, with a higher number of women than men visiting in the 20-24 and 25-29 age ranges.
In parallel, 16,122 Fijian residents departed the country in September. The vast majority, 92.2 percent, were leaving for short-term periods of less than three months, primarily for holidays (54.1 percent) or to visit friends and relatives (35 percent). A smaller group, making up 5 percent, left for long-term stays of one year or more, largely for work, education, or emigration.