The Fiji Occasions » Editorial remark – Tourism figures
The revelation that Tourism Fiji expects greater than 150,000 guests within the subsequent three months is encouraging, particularly within the wake of the occasions of 2021.
Tourism Fiji chief govt officer Brent Hill stated bookings had been nonetheless sturdy. Vacationers, he believes, now understood what was concerned, and had been comfy with processes in place.
The response from vacationers over the previous 5 months, he stated, had been “unbelievable”.
“We began so effectively after which had been impacted closely by Omicron — that means many friends needed to cancel deliberate journeys, in addition to Tropical Cyclone Cody which resulted in flooding and a few cancellations,” he stated. “However since then, it has solely been on the up — firstly March with 21,000 guests, then April’s large 47,000.”
Tourism Fiji, he stated, had been now anticipating Might to be above 40,000.
“And June, July and August might effectively go above 50,000 per 30 days on present bookings and cargo elements, which is super for Fiji and above our forecasts which is after all actually pleasing.”
In March this yr, Legal professional-Normal and Minster for Economic system Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum had stated we might anticipate as much as 447,000 guests in 2022.
He spoke throughout the Fiji Chamber of Commerce and Trade enterprise session that month.
Customer numbers, he famous, had been about 897,000, tourism arrivals in 2019, which plummeted to 147,000 in 2020 and final yr we recorded 32,000 guests to Fiji. Clearly any rise in our numbers could be welcomed by stakeholders. It units in movement many roll-on results.
In reality folks will discuss concerning the optimistic affect. They are going to speak about development, employment alternatives, and a lift to the economic system.
They are going to speak about optimistic vibes.
President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, on the finish of final month, referred to tourism as “one of many main drivers of Fiji’s financial development and the nation’s largest reserves of international alternate and earnings”.
He spoke about optimism trying to the longer term. In saying that although, we’re buoyed by the truth that we’re nonetheless affected by a pandemic.
We’re nonetheless watching a world that has been compelled to embrace the brand new regular. We should additionally consider points confronted by potential vacationers in their very own international locations because the world continues to battle COVID-19.
Fijians will little doubt look on with curiosity and maintain those that give these figures accountable. On the finish of the day although, Fijians will need to see optimistic developments.
For a lot of it’s a bread and butter challenge.
What issues is with the ability to put meals on the desk. We observe the figures, however we additionally observe the work that should be accomplished to reside as much as the expectations, and to additionally appeal to vacationers.
There may also be consideration for the programs in place in different international locations the place there are vacationers planning to go to Fiji. It’s actually not all that easy in any case! However we reside with hope!
