Ten weeks after Tropical Cyclone Winston, Fiji's tourism industry is leading the nation's recovery, with 158,069 visitors in the first-quarter. That's a 10.2 per cent increase over 2015's numbers. "It is a blessing that tourism properties were spared," said Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama at last week's Fijian Tourism Expo. "We are set for another bumper year, both in terms of numbers and earnings."
'Couldn't be more proud'
In Fiji, they've got a long-standing five-year plan to make the tourism sector a $2 billion-a-year industry. "We now think we can do so sooner," said Bainimarama, citing the positive spirit throughout the industry in the post-cyclone clean ups. "I couldn't be more proud of the industry as a Prime Minister under the circumstances."Kiwis to HideawayHideaway Resort reports they're up by 30 per cent on Kiwi visitors from 2015, and the new build of an adults-only resort 25 minutes north of the airport at Vuda is well underway. The 4.5 star spot is scheduled to open in April and will target the weddings market.
All hands to the pump
One of the big priorities for resort operators was to keep as many staff employed during the cyclone clean-up as possible. Their jobs get money into their communities. "We've got chefs working as building labourers," said Steve Darling, whose badly hit Volivoli Resort is aiming for a November reopening. "Everyone's just mixing in to get the job done."
