Today our message is simple, Fiji is open for happiness.

“We welcome all our cruise partners to visit Fiji and thank Carnival and P&O Cruises for being that first cruise liner to sail the South Pacific once again.”

This was stressed by the Minister for Infrastructure Jone Usamate yesterday while officiating at the return of the Pacific Explorer Cruise ship to Fiji after more than two years at the Port of Lautoka.

The Pacific Explorer arrived yesterday from Auckland, New Zealand at 9am and was expected to dock at Dravuni island today from 7am-4pm then arrive in Sydney, Australia on August 20 at 6am.

The vessel carried 830 crew members and 1147 passengers on board.

“The arrival of this boat, the Pacific Explorer signifies its confidence in Fiji as a safe port of entry and destination and this will contribute to the recovery of the tourism sector,” Mr Usamate said.

“The cruise market is a significant part of Fiji’s tourism industry and according to the Fiji Bureau of Statistics in 2019 the cruising market brought in 74, 000 visitors through Fiji’s three ports in Lautoka, Suva and Savusavu.”

He said the addition of large ships such as the Pacific Explorer cemented Fiji as a strong destination for cruising and boosted tourism numbers.

“The cruise ship industry also benefits small and medium enterprises both directly and indirectly through five major sectors namely general retail, hotel transport tours and entertainment, especially tourism in retail,” he said.

He said these sectors looked forward to welcoming cruise passengers to Fiji to indulge in local cuisines, unique gifts and take in Fiji’s breath-taking landscapes, sights and cultural experiences.

Carnival Cruises and P&O Cruises president Marguerite Fitzgerald said over the coming months, there would be more P&O ships and sister cruise liners coming to Fiji.

“We know that many communities depend on the incoming activity that cruise brings and so that really has been our driving force in making sure that we could come back and come back as quickly as possible.”

Pacific Explorer Captain Lorenzo Pauletti said he supported the notion that Fiji’s economy was open and ready.

Click on P&O Cruises website to know more: https://www.pocruises.com.au/.

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