Kiwis Return As Flights Resume
The rousing welcome at Nadi International Airport at the weekend reduced many New Zealand tourists to tears.
Anna and Ross Williams were among the 100 tourists that arrived from New Zealand on Saturday night, as Fiji Airways resumed commercial passenger flights from New Zealand in over 20 months.
New Zealand reopened its international borders this week.
Meanwhile, the Williams couple of Christchurch are in the country for two weeks.
They expect to settle a business-related matter and visit a number of Fijian families they hold close to heart.
“We are totally overwhelmed,” Mrs Williams said.
“We have been waiting for this for the past two years.
Mr Williams said: “We really appreciate what Fiji has done in terms of Care Fiji Commitment.
“We know how much it means for people who depend on the tourism industry.”
‘We love Fiji’
Waikato couple, Carol Metcalfe, 72, and Richard Metcalfe, 77, were overjoyed to be back in Fiji.
“We love Fiji,” Ms Metcalfe said.
“It’s such a thrill to be back here.”
New Zealand High Commission consul, Jennifer Du Toit, said it was great to see Kiwis return to Fiji to provide the much-needed economic injection to the tourism industry.
“New Zealand’s border reopening is also reuniting friends and relatives with their loved ones in Fiji, after two long years of border closures,” said Ms Toit.
“We also look forward to the next stages of our Reconnecting New Zealand strategy.
Tourism Fiji executive head of regions, Robert Thompson said New Zealand was Fiji’s second largest tourism market.
Given the proximity between the two countries, and travel between the two Pacific economies for many decades, the relationship has been long standing with the Kiwi market, he said.
Feedback: nicolette.chambers@fijisun.com.fj
