Wayfarer TV: Fiji welcomes back international visitors after 20 months as border re-opens
The first jet with international travellers was Fiji Airways flight FJ914 from Sydney, which landed at 11:25am Fiji time on Wednesday (Dec 1), carrying 300 passengers eager for their first tropical island holiday.
Tourism Fiji CEO, Brent Hill, said the country is ready to safely welcome visitors back thanks to a successful vaccination roll out, seeing well over 90% of its eligible population vaccinated with both doses.
There are also some travel requirements in place to ensure visitors can book and travel in confidence that they’re keeping themselves and the locals of Fiji safe.
Travellers to Fiji must be fully vaccinated (children under 18-years-old can travel with a vaccinated adult) from a selected Travel Partner country, and those over the age of 12 must get a negative RT PCR test taken 72 hours before you board your flight to Fiji.
Hill said once visitors arrive on Fiji soil, they will be able to holiday knowing that everyone they interact with is adhering to the highest health and safety practices.
“It’s such an exciting day for Fiji and for our tourism industry,” he said. “It’s been a long time coming! From airline to accommodation, Fiji tourism operators and related services have worked hard to ensure and uphold internationally benchmarked COVID-safety practices.
“The resumption of both domestic and international tourism is a credit to Fiji’s collective commitment for public safety, and safe and seamless travel, coupled with our famous Bula spirit!”
The resumption of international travel to Fiji is a massive boost to the nation.
The tourism industry accounts for almost 40% of Fiji’s GDP, employing approximately 1 in 8 locals, and prior to the pandemic, Australia accounted for 48% of all inbound arrivals.
“Fiji continues to remain an ideal destination where travellers can enjoy a relaxing tropical holiday, stay in boutique luxury resorts and immerse themselves in the Bula Spirit for which Fiji is so well known for,” Hill said.
“Whether it’s an adventure, a romantic break or a relaxing getaway, Fiji provides the perfect backdrop.”