Nadi was filled with excitement over the weekend as thousands of Fijians and international visitors gathered for the George ‘Fiji’ Veikoso Homecoming concert at King Charles Park on Saturday and Sunday night.
Hotels and accommodations in the greater Nadi area reached full capacity, with business owners reporting it was one of the busiest weekends in the town’s history. The concert featured a lineup of local and international artists, including J Boog, Josh Tatofi, Maoli, and George ‘Fiji’ Veikoso.
Saliceni Raiwalui, chairperson of the Nadi Town Council, noted that this was one of the largest events the town had ever hosted. He expressed gratitude that Nadi was selected for such a significant event. “At 75 years old, I have never seen such a crowd at a homecoming concert as what we witnessed last night,” he said. “The atmosphere at Prince Charles Park was incredible. Businesses thrived, taxi drivers were busy, and hotels and resorts were fully booked. It was wonderful to see this during the long weekend.”
Raiwalui added that the event had significantly contributed to the growth of local businesses.
Brent Hill, CEO of Tourism Fiji, remarked that September is typically a bustling month, and the homecoming concert further enhanced this period for tourism in Fiji. “The event generated additional flights and hotel bookings, which is fantastic to see,” he stated. “We look forward to collaborating with music promoters to bring more music events to Fiji, which are known to effectively attract tourists. Music tourism, alongside sports and adventure, is a proven driver of tourism worldwide.”
Local artist Laisa Vulakoro, known as the Vude Queen, also attended the concert and described her experience as unforgettable. “Everything was just amazing,” she said. “They had my dream stage and dream sound. It was truly wonderful.”
The event was also attended by Cabinet Ministers, including Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica and Minister for Health Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu.