Australia continues to be Fiji’s largest tourism source market, accounting for over 45 per cent of total arrivals. In 2024, nearly 450,000 Australians visited Fiji, marking a five per cent increase from the previous year. This growth underscores the enduring appeal of Fiji among Australian travellers and the strengthening of bilateral tourism ties.
The surge in Australian visitors is part of a broader trend in Fiji’s tourism sector. In 2024, Fiji welcomed a record 982,938 tourists arriving by air and 81,854 passengers by cruise ships, surpassing the ambitious target of 966,930. This represents a 5.7 per cent increase from 2023, highlighting the nation’s successful recovery and growth in the tourism industry.
Westpac’s quarterly economic update emphasizes Fiji’s reliance on Australian tourists and the continuous efforts to strengthen this relationship. In 2023, over 10 million Australian residents departed for short-term travels for holidays and business, with approximately 4.2 per cent (around 434,000) choosing Fiji as their destination. Notably, following the reopening of Fiji’s borders in late 2021 and early 2022, over 11 per cent of Australian travellers opted for Fiji, as other popular destinations remained closed. Since then, Australian departures to Fiji have normalized to historical levels.
Financially, Australians have significantly contributed to Fiji’s economy. Between July 2023 and June 2024, Australians spent $3.7 billion in Fiji, ranking it 11th in terms of expenditure. Indonesia topped the list with $14.6 billion, followed by New Zealand.
The positive trajectory in visitor numbers and spending is expected to continue. Westpac projects that, given favourable conditions, there should be no hindrance in attracting more visitors in 2025. The introduction of new flight routes, such as the non-stop service between Fiji and Dallas initiated in December 2024, is anticipated to bring around 1,000 additional passengers per week, further bolstering tourism growth.
The tourism sector’s robust performance has been a cornerstone of Fiji’s economic resilience. In 2024, the economy grew by an estimated 3.0 per cent, driven primarily by the tourism industry. This growth is an incredible feat, given the economy came off a high post-COVID growth of 7.5 per cent the prior year.
Australia’s role as Fiji’s primary tourism source market remains pivotal. The sustained increase in Australian visitors and their substantial economic contributions underscore the importance of this relationship. With strategic initiatives and favourable conditions, Fiji is well-positioned to attract even more Australian tourists in the coming years, further solidifying its status as a premier destination in the South Pacific.
