Nadi was filled with excitement over the weekend as thousands of Fijians and visitors gathered at King Charles Park for the George ‘Fiji’ Veikoso Homecoming concert on Saturday and Sunday night. Hotels and accommodations in the Nadi area reported full occupancy, with local business owners describing the weekend as one of the busiest in the town’s history.
The concert featured performances from both local and international artists, including J Boog, Josh Tatofi, Maoli, and George ‘Fiji’ Veikoso. Saliceni Raiwalui, chairperson of the Nadi Town Council and special administrator, acknowledged that this was one of the largest events the town had ever hosted.
Mr. Raiwalui expressed his gratitude that Nadi was selected to host such a significant event. “I am 75 years old now and I have never seen a crowd like this at the homecoming concert,” he remarked. He added that the atmosphere at Prince Charles Park was remarkable, with businesses thriving, taxi drivers pleased, and hotels fully booked, making for an enjoyable long weekend.
Tourism Fiji CEO Brent Hill highlighted that September is typically a bustling month for tourism, and the homecoming concert further enhanced this positive trend. “The event certainly generated flights and hotel bookings, and it’s great to see,” Mr. Hill stated. He emphasized the importance of collaborating with music promoters to attract more events, recognizing music tourism as a significant driver for the industry alongside sports and adventure.
Local artist Laisa Vulakoro, admired as the Vude Queen, shared her enthusiasm for the event, saying, “Everything was just amazing. They had my dream stage and dream sound. All was just fantastic.”
Notable attendees at the concert included Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica and Minister for Health Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu.