Tourism arrival for February surpassed its 2019 levels, in a move described by the industry as smashing.

Visitor arrivals for the past month – the highest percentage of visitors from top destinations since the impact of COVID-19 crept in – is a tribute to the hard work of the industry.

Tourism Fiji Chief Executive Officer, Brent Hill, said record visitor arrivals for the month were from top destinations that included Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States of America.

“We’re once again smashing targets,” he said in an industry announcement.

It comes on the heels of Fiji’s ranking as one of five top international destinations with the highest volume of bookings for 2022, on online travel agency Luxury Escape in 2022, Mr Hill said.

Luxury Escape is an agent for lodging and airfare reservations.

It offers limited-time travel packages at discounted prices.

Fiji received over 47,000 visitors, which is 97 per cent of pre-COVID levels, with the following breakdown:

• Australia – 20,665,
• New Zealand – 8,072
• United States – 6,075
• Canada – 1,701

Meanwhile, the industry will host a two-day Tourism Summit this weekend, as it focuses on supply, Fiji Airways opening direct routes to China and Japan, and two additional aircraft joining Fiji Airways fleet mid this year.

“This is sure to be a game-changer,” Mr Hill said.

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