Fiji has seen a significant increase in tourist arrivals for January 2025, reaching a total of 70,794 visitors. This represents a 0.7 percent rise from the same period last year, as reported by the Fiji Bureau of Statistics (FBoS). This surge is a continuation of the robust recovery in Fiji’s tourism sector following the impacts of the pandemic, demonstrating its resilience and attractiveness as a vacation destination.
Among the visitors, the majority, 69,653, arrived via air travel, while 1,141 came by sea, with 78.9 percent visiting for holiday purposes. This underscores Fiji’s enduring appeal for travelers seeking leisure experiences. In addition, 7.2 percent of visitors came to visit family and friends, while 1.4 percent traveled for business, with the remaining 12.5 percent citing other reasons for their visit.
Australia remains the largest source market, contributing 35,430 arrivals or about 50 percent of the total visitors. New Zealand followed with 12,373 visitors (17.5 percent), the USA with 7,325 (10.3 percent), and other regions like Continental Europe, China, Canada, and the UK also added to the overall figures.
Demographically, the data reveals that a considerable share of tourists, 59.6 percent, are in the working-age category of 25 to 64 years. Children aged 14 and under made up 18.4 percent of arrivals, while youths aged 15-24 and seniors aged 65 and over represented 12.5 percent and 9.5 percent respectively.
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Professor Biman Prasad, praised the tourism sector’s strong recovery, noting that the total visitor figure for last year reached 982,938, notably exceeding pre-pandemic numbers by 88,000. He highlighted improvements in key tourism indicators such as earnings and hotel occupancy rates, showcasing a flourishing industry. Additionally, sectors like gold production, electricity generation, and timber processing have also expanded, indicating a broader economic recovery.
The ongoing interest in Fiji’s tourism sector suggests a promising outlook for both the industry and the national economy as a whole, fostering not just economic growth but also cultural exchanges. This positive trend offers hope for sustained growth throughout the year, reaffirming Fiji’s position as a premier travel destination.
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