Nadi experienced a surge of excitement over the weekend as thousands of Fijians and international visitors gathered at King Charles Park for the George ‘Fiji’ Veikoso Homecoming concert, held on Saturday and Sunday nights.
Hotels and accommodations in the Nadi region reported full occupancy, with local business owners labeling the weekend as one of the busiest in the town’s history.
The concert featured a lineup of local and global artists, including J Boog, Josh Tatofi, Maoli, and George ‘Fiji’ Veikoso himself.
Saliceni Raiwalui, chairperson of the Nadi Town Council, stated that the event was one of the largest the town has ever hosted. He expressed his gratitude for Nadi being selected for such a significant occasion.
“I am 75 years old now and I have never seen a crowd such as this homecoming concert which took place last night,” Mr. Raiwalui remarked. “We were in awe of everything that happened at Prince Charles Park. Businesses, taxi drivers, and hotels were all thriving, making it wonderful to witness this happening over the long weekend.”
Mr. Raiwalui also noted that the event contributed positively to the growth of local businesses in the area.
Brent Hill, CEO of Tourism Fiji, highlighted that September is generally a busy month, and the homecoming concert bolstered tourism during this peak period.
“The event certainly generated flight and hotel bookings, which is fantastic to see,” Mr. Hill stated. “We are eager to collaborate with music promoters to bring more events to Fiji that can attract tourists. Music tourism has proven to be a significant driver of tourism worldwide, alongside sports and adventure.”
Local artist Laisa Vulakoro, known as the Vude Queen, was also seen enjoying the concert and shared her enthusiasm. “Everything was just amazing,” she stated. “They had my dream stage and dream sound; it was all incredible.”
Attendees from the government included Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica and Minister for Health Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu.