New Zealand and the United States of America continue to top arrivals under the Blue Lane Initiative.

The comment by Port Denarau Marina Limited’s Chief Executive Officer, Cynthia Rasch, followed revelations that 131 vessels arrived in Fiji since the initiative was launched last year.

Fiji’s Blue Lane Initiative is the only operating sailing pathway in the Pacific, against neighbours such as New Zealand and Australia.

Ms Rasch said the Blue Lane Initiative put Fiji on the map for being innovative during the global crisis of COVID-19.

“There has been an incredible positive response from cruisers and superyachts since its initiation,” she said.

“The marina has seen a total of 55 vessels since the beginning of our season in May 2021,” Ms Rasch said.

“This included one container ship, three superyachts and two in transit.”

The Blue Lane Initiative was pioneered through the Fijian COVID Safe Economic Recovery Framework to allow a safe restart for Fiji’s growing blue tourism industry.

Tourism Fiji Chief Executive Officer, Brent Hill, said the industry was looking forward to vaccinated travellers to get on the plane and come back to Fiji.

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