Nadi buzzed 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.
Local hotels and accommodations reached full capacity, with business owners noting that it was one of the busiest weekends 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 himself.
Saliceni Raiwalui, chairperson of the Nadi Town Council and special administrator, remarked that it was one of the largest events ever hosted in the town. “At 75 years old, I’ve never seen a crowd like this at the homecoming concert,” he said. Raiwalui expressed gratitude that Nadi was chosen for such a significant event, highlighting the positive impact on local businesses and the community.
“Businesses were happy, taxi drivers were satisfied, and hotels and resorts were fully booked. It was wonderful to witness this during the long weekend,” he added.
Brent Hill, the CEO of Tourism Fiji, noted that September is typically a busy month, and the concert further boosted tourism in the area. “The event definitely led to increased flights and hotel bookings, which is fantastic,” he said. He expressed a desire to continue partnering with music promoters to bring more musical events to Fiji, emphasizing the importance of music tourism as a significant driver of travel.
Local artist Laisa Vulakoro, known as the Vude Queen, joined other performers in enjoying the concert and described the experience as unforgettable. “Everything was just amazing. They had my dream stage and perfect sound,” she said.
Cabinet Ministers in attendance included Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica and Minister for Health Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu.