The tourism industry based on current trends, projects total visitor arrivals of more than 400,000 tourists in 2022.

Minister for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport Faiyaz Koya said: “Based on the current trend, as more markets ease travel restrictions and open up the borders, the Macro Economic Committee projects a total visitor arrivals in 2022 to reach about 50 percent of the 2019 level, that is about 447,000 visitors as an optimistic outlook if the conditions remain favourable globally.”

In Parliament on Tuesday night, Mr Koya said the ministry was firmly focused on two things.

“One is our competitiveness and this means that most of the food and beverage, accommodation, COVID-19 tests, all need to be cost effective in line with the Government’s generous tax policies and initiatives.”

“Secondly, also our image as a safe destination.”

Mr Koya said in 2021, the total visitor arrivals stood at 31,680 compared to the record high in 2019 of 894,389 visitors.

“This was about 3.5 per cent of 2019 levels and pre-COVID-19 levels, and a decline of about 96.5 per cent,” he said in Parliament yesterday.”

“In the month of December, we received 23,226 visitors and this was 73.5 per cent of the total arrivals for the year.”

“The 23,000 odd visitors in December was 31 per cent of the arrivals in December 2019.”

“This 31 per cent recovery can be attributed largely to Australia, which amounts to 17,896 and the United States of America which is 3,502.”

He said there have been many positives and challenges ever since the reopening of the border.

“These numbers, although lower than pre-COVID-19, are an indication of our progress that is gradual and sustainable. So this is where we are now,” he said.

Revenue collection
He added that in December alone, a net revenue of approximately $190 million was collected by the Fiji Revenue and Customs Services.

Mr Koya said this was the highest monthly collection by the FRCS since Fiji’s first COVID-19 case in March 2020.

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