World at war? Come to Fiji: RBF Governor

As bombs fall across the Middle East and global travellers grow anxious about where it is safe to go, Reserve Bank of Fiji Governor Ariff Ali has a message: come to Fiji.

Speaking at the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF) State of the Economy breakfast in Suva yesterday, Mr Ali called on Tourism Fiji and industry stakeholders to immediately launch a campaign positioning Fiji as the world’s safest holiday destination amid the escalating US–Israel conflict with Iran.

“The safest place in the world right now is Fiji,” Mr Ali said.

“We don’t want to be in the US and things. We really need these foreign tourists to come to Fiji.”

His call comes as global attention turns to safe travel destinations. The Economic Times recently ranked Fiji among the world’s safest countries in the event of a third world war, citing its remote location, dense forests, self-sustaining resources and high ranking on the Global Peace Index.

Mr Ali said tourism was not just about holidays — it was about jobs, affordability and keeping the economy moving at a time of mounting global headwinds.

“We need people to be employed. We need affordability. We need the economy to peak,” he said.

Fiji recorded about 983,000 visitor arrivals last year.

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