Fiji this morning welcomed its first flight of international visitors as the South Pacific Island Nation opened its borders once again. The exciting milestone marked resumption of international tourism in the idyllic nation after almost 20 months of border closures.

As of this morning, December 1, 2021, Fiji opens to fully vaccinated visitors from travel partner countries for quarantine-free travel. The first flight, from Sydney, Australia landed at 11:25am Fiji time carrying 300 passengers eager for their first tropical island holiday.

The country which is ready to safely welcome visitors back thanks to a successful vaccination roll out, seeing well over 90% of its eligible population vaccinated with both doses, does have some travel requirements in place to ensure visitors can book and travel in confidence that they’re keeping themselves and the locals of Fiji safe.

Travellers to Fiji must be fully vaccinated (children under 18-years-old can travel with a vaccinated adult) from a selected Travel Partner country, and those over the age of 12 must get a negative RT PCR test taken 72 hours before you board your flight to Fiji. Once visitors arrive on Fiji soil, they will be able to holiday knowing that everyone they interact with is adhering to the highest health and safety practices.

“It’s such an exciting day for Fiji and for our tourism industry. It’s been a long time coming! From airline to accommodation, Fiji tourism operators and related services have worked hard to ensure and uphold internationally benchmarked COVID-safety practices. The resumption of both domestic and international tourism is a credit to Fiji’s collective commitment for public safety, and safe and seamless travel, coupled with our famous bula spirit!” said Brent Hill, CEO Tourism Fiji.

Undoubtedly when Fiji’s borders closed in March 2020, the economy had an immediate effect. Tourism has always been important to Fiji and its people as the industry accounts for almost 40% of Fiji’s GDP and employs approximately 1 in 8 locals. Prior to the pandemic, New Zealand accounted for 23% of all inbound arrivals, only behind Australia which accounted for 48%.

While Kiwis will need to wait until February 2022 to get back to the island paradise nation, they can be confident that Fiji is ready and waiting to welcome them back with open arms as a safe travel destination, as announced by World Travel and Tourism Council.

Fiji continues to remain an ideal destination where travellers can enjoy a relaxing tropical holiday, stay in boutique luxury resorts and immerse themselves in the Bula Spirit for which Fiji is so well known for. Whether it’s an adventure, a romantic break or a relaxing getaway, Fiji provides the perfect backdrop.