Australian market “docile” to Fiji

Australian market “docile” to Fiji

Fiji Tourism has said the Australian inbound market is “docile” and wants new product to entice new market segments.

“What I find is that it’s been docile… it hasn’t extremely grown or contracted, it has rolled along,” Tourism Fiji chairman Truman Bradley told Travel Weekly.

With 31 buyers from Australia meeting with 110 tourism operators this week at the Fijian Tourism Expo, Bradley is hoping that will change.

Australian visitors represent approximately 35% of inbound tourism, which is 4% of outbound Australian traffic.

“It’s still large numbers but I think we’re missing a point,” Truman told Travel Weekly.

He wants to see more short breaks from Australia, with travellers to arrive Friday and make the most of a weekend just three hours from the east coast. Bradley also wants to reel in millenial travellers.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Bainimarama touched on the highly competitive international travel market.

“There are many places in the world where you can find a nice beach and a cold drink. But there’s nowhere like Fiji and the emotional connection that our visitors invariably make with the friendliest people in the world,” Bainimarama said.

The Fiji tourism market has matured and the product is different from five years ago, Bradley said.

Bradley cited the adventure travel sector, with shark diving, trekking, deep-sea fishing and white water rafting now on offer.

While the traditional markets of families, weddings and honeymoons remain strong, Tourism Fiji would like to add new markets to the portfolio.

“We are developing and strengthening strong niche markets, including conventions, weddings and sporting tourism,” Bainimarama said

This includes being part of the PGA Australian and European golf tour.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

    Latest comments
    1. the Fiji Departure tax which is now around AUD$132/adult is a disincentive to stopover in Fiji on way to USA. Why is it so bloody high, when Australias is only AUD$55 ?

      So a family of 2 adults & 4 kids over 11, would have to pay around AUD$792 just for the privilege of a Fiji stop. Crazy.

fiji Fiji Tourism prime minister

Latest News

  • Technology

Booking.com launches AI Trip Planner in Australia and New Zealand

Booking.com has announced its AI Trip Planner (Beta) is now available for travellers in Australia and New Zealand, the first markets to launch in Asia Pacific. Until now, AI Trip Planner was only available for US and UK travellers after it was launched in the Booking.com app in June last year. Built using Booking.com’s existing […]

  • Products

Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun

If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]

  • Tour Operators
  • Tourism

TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips

The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]

  • Aviation

Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak

Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]

  • Hotels

Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa

Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]

  • Luxury
  • News

Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards

Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]