Tourism Minister Viliame Gavoka says they want to grow the Chinese tourist market further and stand ready to support marketing efforts through Tourism Fiji and Fiji Airways.
Gavoka made this comment yesterday while receiving a courtesy call from the People’s Republic of China’s Chargé d’Affaires and Political Counselor His Excellency Wang Xuguang.
“We recognise the value of Chinese travelers as a growing global outbound market. Fiji received approximately 46,000 tourists per year pre-COVID and you’ve been one of our top five source markets.”
Gavoka also expressed the Ministry’s intention to pursue further areas of mutual cooperation, including capacity building and training.
In congratulating the Minister, Xuguang said that China, as a long standing bilateral partner of Fiji, wishes to continue contributing to the Fiji economy and that the Chinese community in Fiji has today become an important part of the Fiji society.
He added with the easing of restrictions in mainland China, Fiji can expect a rebound in Chinese tourists.
“Pre-COVID, China’s outbound market was nearly 150 million. With easing of our border restrictions, we can expect a rebound of Chinese tourists. The Embassy is ready to support this and the recovery of the Fiji economy. We hope Fiji will also provide facilitation for Chinese tourists.”
In 2004, Fiji became an overseas destination for Chinese tourists and by 2015, with the signing of the Agreement on Mutual Visa Exemption, visitor arrivals to Fiji grew by an estimated 40 per cent.
In acknowledging the People’s Republic of China’s support over the years and the resumption of travel, Gavoka welcomed the Chinese Government’s announcement on its re-opening on January 8.
