Visitor numbers in Fiji have increased by 7 percent over the past eight months, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Biman Prasad, who made the announcement in Parliament.
Prof Prasad highlighted that this growth surpassed initial predictions, with the ministry estimating an overall increase of around 3 percent by year’s end. In his ministerial statement, he pointed out several positive economic indicators, including a rise in private sector lending, VAT collections adjusted for rate changes, and a 20 percent increase in government spending over the last seven months.
There has also been a notable uptick in the import of investment goods, higher electricity usage, increased vehicle sales, and rising incomes. Additionally, indicators such as PAYE collections and remittances have shown significant growth.
The tourism sector, in particular, has exceeded expectations, potentially bringing the total number of visitor arrivals for 2024 close to or exceeding one million, which would set a new record for Fiji’s tourism industry. Prof Prasad recognized the positive shift across all major economic sectors and a rise in investments, crediting the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister Kamikamica for effective reforms and efforts to instill confidence among investors across various sectors.