We want Fiji to be open to new high-value tourist markets while paying attention to emerging ones - Premila Kumar

Minister for Tourism, Premila Kumar says they want to open Fiji to new and high-value tourist markets and this includes maintaining key markets and also paying special attention to emerging ones.

While speaking at the Tourism Fiji Industry Day at Sheraton Fiji Resort, Kumar says recent statistics by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation forecasts a global 3-4 percent increase for 2019, including strong outbound travel from emerging markets such as India and Russia.

She says Fiji is not an exception and year to date October, arrivals from Russia noted a 39.6% growth whilst India grew 7.6% compared to the same period last year.

Kumar says those in the Tourism Industry have to understand how the global tourism landscape is evolving, who the potential customers are or could be, and how they intend on marketing themselves strategically with the right messaging. 

Meanwhile, Kumar paid tribute to one of tourism industry’s biggest icon, the late Dixon Seeto, a person who devoted his life to develop Fiji’s Tourism Industry to where is is today.

Kumar says his passing away in July this year was a huge loss for all of them.