Nadi was filled with 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 accommodation throughout the greater Nadi area reached full capacity, leading business owners to describe the weekend as one of the busiest in the town’s history.
The concert featured both local and international artists, including J Boog, Josh Tatofi, Maoli, and George ‘Fiji’ Veikoso.
Saliceni Raiwalui, chairperson and special administrator of Nadi Town Council, expressed that it was one of the largest events ever held in the town.
“I am 75 years old now and I have never seen a crowd like this at a homecoming concert which took place last night (Saturday),” Mr. Raiwalui commented. “We were in awe of everything that happened at Prince Charles Park. Businesses were happy, taxi drivers were happy, hotels and resorts were full, and it was wonderful to witness this during the long weekend. We at Nadi Town Council are thankful that this kind of event contributes to the growth of businesses in the area.”
Brent Hill, CEO of Tourism Fiji, noted that September is typically a busy month, and the homecoming concert further enhanced this strong tourism period for Fiji.
“The event certainly generated flights and hotel bookings, and it’s fantastic to see,” Mr. Hill stated. “We would love to continue collaborating with music promoters to bring more music events to Fiji that attract tourists. This is a fantastic show and great for Fiji. Music tourism, alongside sports and adventure, has proven to be a significant driver of tourism worldwide.”
Vude Queen Laisa Vulakoro, who was seen among other local artists enjoying the concert, shared her enthusiasm. “Everything was just amazing. They had my dream stage and dream sound. All was just incredible,” she said.
Cabinet Ministers, including Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica and Minister for Health Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu, also attended the event.