Fiji recorded its highest-ever number of visitor arrivals for September, reaching a total of 92,591, according to provisional data released by the Fiji Bureau of Statistics.
The figure marks a 2.4% increase compared to September 2023 and surpasses pre-pandemic levels, with arrivals 13.8% higher than in September 2019. However, the number of visitors fell slightly compared to August 2024, which saw 94,787 arrivals.
Of the visitors in September, the majority—91,679—arrived by air, while 912 arrived by sea, primarily seamen on fishing vessels (798) and a smaller number (114) arriving by yacht.
Australia continued to lead as Fiji’s largest source of visitors, accounting for nearly half of all arrivals (47.8%) in September, with 44,254 tourists. New Zealand followed with 22,625 visitors (24.4%), and the United States contributed 7,923 visitors (8.6%). China, Continental Europe, Canada, and the UK made up smaller portions of Fiji’s market, collectively bringing in 8.1% of total visitors.
Tourists arriving for holiday purposes dominated the statistics, representing 81.6% of all visitors, while 8% came to visit friends or relatives. Business travel accounted for just 2%, and the remaining 8.4% visited for other reasons.
A breakdown of visitor demographics shows that the majority were in the 25-64 age range, which made up 64.2% of total arrivals. Children under the age of 14 accounted for 16.4%, while those in the retirement age bracket of 65 and over comprised 10.3%. The youth demographic, aged 15-24, made up 9.1% of all arrivals. Gender differences were notable in certain age groups, with more women visiting than men in several key categories, including those aged 20-24 and 25-29.
Meanwhile, 16,122 Fijian residents left the country in September. The majority (92.2%) were departing for short-term absences of less than three months, primarily for holidays (54.1%) or to visit friends and relatives (35%). A smaller percentage (5%) left for long-term absences of one year or more, with employment, education, and emigration being the main reasons for these departures.
Photo: File
