BIG DAY FOR FIJI: ROSIE BOSS

Comment, from Managing Director, of the Rosie Travel Group, Tony Whitton, who is in Tokyo with key Fiji Airways executives to launch the new service to the travel industry in Japan.

“This is a big day for Fiji as our national airline announces direct services will resume to Tokyo after a nine year absence. Japan is one of Asia’s leading economies with an affluent and sophisticated travelling segment. In short it means, More jobs.

“And more vital foreign exchange earnings for our country. We currently have about 6000 Japanese visitors a year and with this new schedule of three flights a week, Rosie is anticipating that this number will grow to over 40,000 a year in a short period of time.

“This will create over 1000 new jobs. Japan is a country that loves islands destinations and also has a natural affinity to rugby and our Fijian people. “They will come in big numbers and their dispersal will be all over Fiji as they enjoy high end resorts, enjoy our marine activities but also enjoy cultural activities such as village visits.

“Rosie Holidays is fully behind this new service and will be recruiting for new positions in its Japan division in the coming months. It will also mean that Fiji now has 3 major hubs all in the heart of Asia: Singapore, Japan and Hong Kong.

“This will generate more traffic from these big economies but also open Fiji to connections from Europe, India, Middle East, and East bloc countries. It will also open Fiji export markets of fish, mineral water, and produce into these major cities.”