Fiji Airways has resumed direct flights to Narita, Japan after a three-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic, re-establishing its linkages to Asia.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Viliame Gavoka says Japan has always been an important market for Fiji and they are confident that the resumption of flights from Japan will have a positive impact on the economy.
He says they are committed to ensuring that visitors have a memorable stay and will continue to work closely with their industry partners to ensure that Fiji remains a top destination for international travellers.
Fiji Airways CEO and Managing Director, Andre Viljoen says this marks a significant achievement for the airline and the tourism industry as a whole.
He says as Fiji's national carrier, they are committed to reconnecting Fiji to the world and bringing visitors to Fiji’s beautiful islands.
Tourism Fiji CEO, Brent Hill says Japan was one of Fiji’s top 10 markets in terms of visitor arrivals post pandemic, and they are committed to maintaining that position.
He says Fiji’s warm weather and warm culture provide the perfect backdrop for swimming, snorkelling, and connecting in a sustainable way and with the Japanese Yen going a long way, their vacation in a beautiful luxury Fijian hotel is more affordable and memorable.
Hill adds tourism is growing in value in Fiji, with approximately 65 percent of that value remaining in Fiji.
Tourism Fiji says International Visitor Survey reveals that pre-COVID, Fiji was receiving close to 15,000 Japanese visitors a year with almost $47 million total spend in 2019.
