Fiji looks to boost UK numbers with twin-centre visits

The chief executive of Tourism Fiji hopes to boost twin and multi-centre business from the UK in addition to restoring pre-pandemic single-centre traffic.

Speaking at World Travel Market, Brent Hill said: “We are currently at around 40% of pre-pandemic levels and I’d like to see us exceed those levels and connect with those Australian and New Zealand markets a bit more.

“We want people to come and stay for longer periods but if you are heading to Austalia or New Zealand via Singapore then there are great connections with Fiji Airways, Qantas and Virgin and why wouldn’t you want to add a few days in paradise to your trip?”

Hill said the luxury market had been the quickest to return, but highlighted the value all UK visitors could benefit from the destination.

Hill also said the tourism body had upped its efforts to engage with trade partners, acknowledging there had been some turnover of staff during the pandemic.

Tools include a revamped Matai training programme, while fam trips will continue to play a key part in raising awareness, he added.

Co-operative marketing campaigns have begun with some partners, including Flight Centre and Trailfinders.

Hill said: “We have a relatively small team but we feel very confident that if we can raise awareness then people will want to sell Fiji and people will want to come.

“It really is everything you imagine so we don’t need to oversell it.”