FIJI where the world wants to be
Tourism is back and Fiji has been quick off the blocks but, as Mike Yardley finds out, visitors are seeking under-theradar experiences
AS INTERNATIONAL TOURISM rekindles around the world in 2022, at various region-specific speeds, Fiji is proving to be the South Pacific superstar.
Tens of thousands of Kiwis are now jetting to Nadi each month. Fresh back from basking in some quality Bula time, I caught up with Fiji Tourism chief executive Brent Hill to get a sense of the industry’s surging renaissance. Australians have been flocking to Fiji in huge numbers, as have Americans, while Kiwis are the third biggest visitor market.
I spoke to a number of Aussies on the Coral Coast who’d previously been big Bali devotees, but had just “discovered” Fiji. So is Fiji the new Bali?
“We are seeing a bit of this,” Hill says. “It’s definitely a positive trend. Fiji can service a value-conscious traveller as well, even though it’s not what we’re primarily known for.”
The average length of stay in Fiji is seven to 10 days and the profile of travellers is changing. Following
Fiji’s reopening, it was couples and honeymooners who led the charge.
But that’s changing.
“The rise in big families looking for villa-type accommodation and luxury travel is a huge trend post-covid.”
Multi-location holidays are also trending, with an island stay being coupled with a mainland stay or a boutique cruise. It definitely delivers a more enriching range of perspectives of Fiji.
Hill says that less-trafficked locales are what Tourism Fiji would like visitors to experience.
“Most of these are off the grid, closer to the heart of Fiji and hold some of the best experiences. A great example is the Namosi Eco Retreat that takes visitors deep into the heart of Fiji to meet and be one with nature up in the highlands,” says Hill.
I asked Brent to divulge his favourite under-the-radar experiences. He specified a new experience in the Mamanuca Islands called Seventh Heaven, which is owned by a Kiwi and Brent raves about Savusavu,
“one of the prettiest spots in Fiji — just a really relaxed, lush town”.
What really struck me on my recent swing through Fiji was the sustainability ethos has been widely embraced. At this year’s Fijian Tourism Expo, Fiji Airways unveiled their sustainability programme called “Our Ocean Our Life — Mangrove & Turtle Tour” which champions the wonderful yet fragile marine ecosystem. The new tour lets Fiji Airways guests experience a fascinating day planting mangroves and exploring a turtle breeding sanctuary — off-setting their carbon footprint while on holiday. Mangroves sequester approximately 12.3kg of carbon per tree per year.
Sustainability will be at the forefront of how Fiji is marketed, going forward. While I was in Suva, I ventured into the hinterland to the Rainforest Eco Lodge adjoining Coloi-suva Forest Park. It’s an extraordinary place to admire Fiji’s brilliantly coloured birdlife. The lodge owner, Hiram Whippy, eagerly
pointed out to me that the lodge is a member of the 14-strong Duavata Collective, a stirring portfolio of tourism operators who are passionately dedicated to ensuring the industry enhances Fiji’s cultural heritage and environment.
Fiji Airways has also been busy refreshing its offerings to travellers.
Keeping the kids occupied inflight, the new complimentary ‘Our Ocean Our Life’ inflight activity pack, is dedicated to enlightening the future generation on the importance of preserving Fiji’s fragile marine environment.
An innovative array of seating options has been introduced including ‘My Bubble’ allowing passengers to enjoy extra space and comfort by blocking the seat beside them in economy class.
Then there is ‘My Island’ available on long haul and night flights, allowing you to purchase an entire row in Economy Class and comes with added amenities.
An innovative new ‘Resort Check-in’ feature with Fiji Airways is now available at select hotels including the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spat. This allows you to check in for your international flight home, directly at the resort, with baggage and boarding passes all sorted. Once at the airport, just head straight for security and immigration. How good!
Fiji Airways is now offering all in-flight customers 15-minute free text plans onboard their A350-900 and Boeing 737 Max8 aircraft. Wi-fi connectivity plans are also available. Plus the baggage allowance has been increased from 23kg to 30kg for economy class passengers on international flights. Fiji Airways is also offering exclusive package holidays via www.fijiairways.com