Visitor arrivals remain on the rise in 2018 peaking at a new record of 870,000 - PM

Fiji’s visitor arrivals remain on the rise in 2018, peaking at an all new record of over 870,000.

This was highlighted by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama while officiating at the ANZ Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards at Sofitel in Nadi.

Bainimarama also revealed that in July alone, Fiji passed 95,000 visitor arrivals, a new single‑month high for Fijian tourism.

The Prime Minister reiterated to those present at the awards that the contribution from tourism in Fiji is more than dollars and cents.

He adds that as leaders in tourism, those working in the industry are on the frontlines of putting Fiji on the map, and give our visitors that special feeling of family and friendship that can only be found in Fiji, among the Fijian people.

Bainimarama also highlighted that Fijian tourism is now a 1.9‑billion‑dollar industry and is well on pace to hit our 2.2‑billion‑dollar goal in 2021. 

Meanwhile the Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards has given the prestigious Lifetime Achievement award to two individuals, Michael Dennis and Bill Whiting while the late Patrick ‘Paddy’ Doyle was given the Visionary Award.

FETA Trustee Dixon Seeto says both Dennis and Whiting have contributed immensely towards the growth of our tourism industry.

Seeto said the board of trustees also wanted to remember the late Paddy Doyle as a pioneer of Fiji’s tourism industry.

Other individual awards were given to Britney Turaganikeli who was recognised as the Fiji Pride Champion, Akuila Batiweti is the Emerging Tourism Leader and Rosie Holidays Eroni Puamau received the Tourism Leader Award.

The Hall of Fame awards were given to Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort and Rosie Holidays.

For the full list winners at the Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards you can check out our website fijivillage.com.

WINNERS:

LIFETIME ACHIVEMENT

Michael Dennis

Bill Whiting

VISIONARY AWARD
Patrick “Paddy” Doyle

HALL OF FAME
Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort

Rosie Holidays

FIJI PRIDE CHAMPION
Britney Turaganikeli ‑ Ecotrax

EMERGING TOURISM LEADER
Akuila Batiweti – Pacific Bedbank

TOURISM LEADER
Eroni Puamau – Rosie Holidays

ACCOMMODATION BUDGET
Aquarius on the Beach

ACCOMMODATION QUALITY
Malolo Island Resort

ACCOMMODATION DELUXE
Wyndham Denarau Island

DESTINATION MARKETING
Malamala Beach Club

Tour Managers

ACCOMMODATION LUXURY
Vatuvara Private Islands

CULINARY SERVICES
Castaway Island Fiji

Maqai Eco Surf Resort

SPECIALISED TOURISM SERVICES & SUPPORT TO THE INDUSTRY
Port Denarau

TOUR & TRANSPORT OPERATORS
South Sea Cruises

VISITOR ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITY
Ecotrax

TOURISM SUSTAINABILITY
Vatuvara Private Islands