Fiji experienced a remarkable surge in tourist arrivals in January 2025, welcoming a total of 70,794 visitors, marking a record for the month with a 0.7 percent increase compared to the same period last year, as reported by the Fiji Bureau of Statistics (FBoS). This positive trend builds on the strong recovery observed in the country’s tourism sector following the pandemic.
Out of the total visitors, 69,653 arrived by air, while 1,141 came by sea, primarily made up of seamen on fishing vessels, with only four arriving by yacht. Notably, about 78.9 percent of tourists visited for holiday purposes, reflecting Fiji’s enduring appeal as a vacation destination. Additionally, 7.2 percent traveled to visit friends or relatives, 1.4 percent for business, and the remaining 12.5 percent for other reasons.
The data highlights major source markets for Fiji’s tourism, with Australia leading the pack at 35,430 arrivals, representing approximately 50 percent of total visitors. New Zealand followed with 12,373 visitors (17.5 percent), the USA contributed 7,325 (10.3 percent), while Continental Europe, China, Canada, and the UK accounted for a smaller portion of arrivals.
Furthermore, the demographic data shows that a significant portion of visitors, 59.6 percent, fall within the working-age group of 25 to 64 years. Children aged 14 and under contributed 18.4 percent to the total arrivals, with youths aged 15-24 and seniors aged 65 and over making up 12.5 percent and 9.5 percent, respectively.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Professor Biman Prasad, emphasized that the tourism sector’s recovery is promising, referencing last year’s visitor figures that amounted to 982,938, which surpassed pre-pandemic levels by 88,000. He noted that key tourism indicators, including earnings and hotel occupancy, have improved, indicating strong performance in the industry. Beyond tourism, significant expansions have been observed in other sectors such as gold production, electricity generation, and timber processing, contributing to the overall positive economic outlook.
This optimistic trajectory suggests a bright future for Fiji’s tourism and broader economy, as continued interest in the islands promises to foster economic growth and cultural exchange.
In conclusion, these developments signal a resilient and adaptable tourism sector, which remains pivotal for both local communities and the national economy. The hope is that this trend will not only sustain but also continue to grow throughout the year, reaffirming Fiji’s status as a sought-after travel destination.
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