fiji tourism 2021

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‘We’re ready’: Fiji prepares to welcome tourists almost two years after closing borders

Fully vaccinated travellers from select countries including New Zealand and Australia will be able to visit from November

F iji says it is already experiencing a boom in demand after announcing this week that it would open up quarantine-free travel to visitors from select countries, almost two years after closing its borders due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Our website data is well up – we are seeing a real lift in interest. It is exciting, and we want to encourage people to come and spend Christmas and new year in Fiji,” Tourism Fiji chief executive Brent Hill said.

“Our tourism industry has been waiting a long time for this. While not everyone will be able to open on 1 December, the overwhelming majority of our industry and those employing significant numbers are very much behind the announcement, and ready to safely open our borders once again to the world.

“We have seven more weeks to really fine tune our preparations, but we have all been working overtime since the start of the year, to reopen our industry again to the world. We’re ready.”

Fiji will reopen its borders to fully vaccinated travellers from countries including the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand and most Pacific Islands countries from November 11, though the official reopening will be on 1 December, when the country’s first scheduled tourism flight on national carrier, Fiji Airways, will arrive.

Visitors must have a negative Covid test three days before arrival and also take a rapid test on arrival. Tourists and returning residents will still have to undergo a two or three-day hotel confinement respectively.

Prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama said the country was “entirely confident in our ability to manage the risk associated with quarantine-free travel.”

“Our planes are prepared. Our airports are adapted. Every Fijian hotel and tour operator in Fiji will be certified under the Care Fiji Commitment Certification program, which will require all hotels and excursions to meet the highest standards of comfort, health and safety.”

Bainimarama said hotels would have to guarantee access to comfortable, well-supplied isolation facilities and medical care such as testing, routine staff-swabbing, and escalation protocols in the event that positive cases were detected.

‘No jab, no job’

The easing of travel restrictions and quarantine requirements comes after the government launched an aggressive vaccination campaign; 96.6% of the target population of those aged 18 and over have received their first dose, while 80.3% have received both doses.

The government’s “no jab, no job” work policy for civil servants and staff in the private sector, announced in July , forced many Fijians to get vaccinated.

Fantasha Lockington, head of the Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association, said months of preparation had gone into planning the reopening.

“The industry has been keenly watching our core markets of Australia and New Zealand and their own management of vaccinations and border management, because Fiji’s reopening must eventually coincide with these countries allowing their citizens to travel here,” she said.

“Those tourism operators who have remained open, have been ready with the required health protocols in place, even though these openings may be at reduced capacity or only opening intermittently.

“But they’ve been ready nonetheless and have been able to survive on the limited local demand, as well as the smaller but quite lucrative influx of visitors through our Blue (yachting) and VIP Lane initiatives.”

Lockington said it had been extremely difficult for smaller operators with restricted movement curtailing even local tourism, with many operators needing confirmation of their key markets being allowed to travel to more confidently plan their respective reopenings.

“From a resort’s perspective they have to factor in the cost of a closed resort maintaining their operations with a skeleton staff to keep things on, against when they go fully operational with higher overheads and open with all staff on deck and restaurants and bars fully stocked up again but still without any revenue coming in until your guests have all but arrived,” she said.

Before the pandemic, tourism contributed nearly 40% of Fiji’s gross domestic product – about FJ$2bn (AU$1.4bn) – and directly or indirectly employed over 150,000 people. But as visitor arrivals fell by 87%, the economy plummeted by 19% in 2020.

“Even though the economists keep saying otherwise, Fiji might just surprise everyone with what may start with a gradual recovery that gathers momentum,” Lockington said.

“The Fijian diaspora around the world are really keen to see family and friends and have shown massive support with interest in bookings way ahead of the announcement. They’re planning to take their holidays here knowing that they will be supporting more Fijians to get their jobs back.”

Fiji’s highest growth markets for the past five years were India, South Korea, China and New Zealand. Australia remains Fiji’s largest market, with the number of Australian visitors growing at an average rate of 2%. Since 2013, tourist arrivals to Fiji have grown by an average of 5%.

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The 9 best places to visit in Fiji

Oct 4, 2023 • 6 min read

Go beyond the beautiful beaches and discover the best places to visit in Fiji © ©Don Mammoser / Shutterstock

Pristine white sand beaches, aquamarine waters and a lush volcanic landscape – arriving in Fiji truly feels like you've discovered paradise.

This far-flung archipelago, made up of more than 300 islands, has a rich culture with delicious food and a joie-de-vivre attitude at its heart. Start planning your trip now with our shortlist of the best places to visit in this picture-perfect corner of the world.

Best place for multicultural Fiji

If you're flying into Fiji, you’ll see Nadi from the air. This pint-sized city is located just a short drive from the international airport and is a great spot to kick off your Fijian adventure. A mix of stores in a rainbow of colors lines the roads, with everything from electronics to handicrafts on offer. 

The covered market is a real treat for the senses, with an array of local produce on offer. Another must-visit spot in the city is the spectacular Sri Siva Subramaniya Hindu temple , which is located downtown at the southern end of the main road. This spectacular temple, the largest in the Pacific, features intricate carvings that could keep you captivated for days. This is a good place to start your holiday before  making your way around Fiji .

Local tip:  Before entering a Hindu temple, always seek permission and remove your shoes. Photography is generally acceptable outside the temple but don't take photos inside – be respectful and put your camera away. 

2. Yasawa Islands

Best region for stunning scenery

Yasawa means "heaven" in Fijian and this string of islands is certainly heavenly. The archipelago, located in the northwest, comprises around 20 islands of varying size with palm-lined beaches, aquamarine waters and dramatic topography being the running theme. Despite their remote location, the majority of the islands are inhabited and many feature hotels.

The Yasawa Flyer ferry departs daily from Port Denarau Marina close to the airport and stops at more than 12 of the islands. South Sea Cruises also runs ferry services and excursions in the area.  

3. Nanuku Resort

Best place for ultimate luxury

Elevate your Fiji trip by booking into the blissful confines of the five-star Nanuku Resort . This award-winning hotel on the southern edge of Fiji’s main island makes for a dreamy setting, with villas and apartments enveloped by lush foliage and a 3.2km (2-mile) white sand beach fringing the property.

The rooms feature an attractive blend of modern and Fijian-styled interiors with amenities including private plunge pools and cinema rooms. The luxe experience continues when it comes to dining – the main restaurant serves up French cuisine with a Pacific twist and, for a special occasion, you can book a dining experience on the shores of the hotel’s private island or its cliffside perch. 

4. Denarau Island

Best place to stay for families 

Located 20 minutes from the airport, the small island of Denarau is a wonderful option for families – everything you need is on your doorstep. The outcrop, connected to the mainland via a bridge, has been developed into a luxury tourism spot complete with a state-of-the-art marina, five-star resorts, top-notch restaurants and an 18-hole golf course.

It's an apartment hotel, with fully equipped kitchens, dining rooms and lounge areas. Other perks at the property include parking, a swimming pool, babysitting services, a cafe, a gym and a tour desk offering a wide range of day and multi-day trips. 

Planning tip: Fancy seeing more of the island and visiting other resorts? All aboard the unmissable Bula Bus – it's the one with the thatched roof.

Best island for perfect holiday shots  

Let your cares wash away with a stay on Kuata. This far-flung island, which is part of the Yasawa archipelago , makes for a heavenly retreat with just one hotel (the Barefoot Kuata Island ), secluded beaches, secret caves and some great hiking trails.

The Barefoot resort, which has another location several islands away, features a scattering of luxury safari-style tented rooms and beachfront bures (traditional wood-and-straw huts); there are also dormitories if you’re traveling on a budget. Facilities include an open-air restaurant, a bar and a swimming pool complete with a hammock for some scenic holiday shots. The Yasawa Flyer ferry stops at the island as part of its route.

Detour: Hire a guide and head up Kuata’s volcanic summit climb. It's a strenuous uphill walk but you'll be rewarded with dramatic views. The best times to go are before sunrise and sunset (and not only because it's cooler). 

Best for local cuisine 

Tuck into an array of mouth-watering dishes at Tukuni . This restaurant boasts a lofty setting overlooking a sweeping bay close to the city of Lautoka on the west coast of the main island and is a community-run operation with local farmers and fishermen supplying the ingredients.

Cooking takes place over an open fire and some popular dishes include ika tavu (smoked fish) and kokoda (marinated fish in coconut milk). There’s also a great selection of vegetarian dishes that include rourou (taro leaves). The Fijian experience doesn’t just extend to the food – the restaurant has a cozy, authentic feel, with handcrafted solid wood furnishings and woven palm wall panels setting the scene. 

Local tip : Fijian food offers a unique fusion of flavors with a Pacific take on cuisines from India and beyond. Staples such as sweet potato, cassava and taro are cooked with fish, vegetables and coconut; curries are generally milder and lighter here. 

7. Awakening Shark Dive

Best experience for adrenaline seekers

Put your fears to one side and buckle up for an adrenaline-pumping experience you’ll remember for the rest of your life. The Awakening Shark Dive experience is offered by the Barefoot Resort on Kuata Island and it brings you face to face with bull sharks. Experienced divers will lead you out to a spot close to the island where the sharks congregate thanks to efforts to restore the surrounding corals.

Kneel on the ocean floor and stay still while the sharks, which can be up to 3 meters (9.8ft) in length, slink in for a feeding session. Other shark species known to patrol the area include tiger, nurse, lemon, and silver tips. 

8. Mount Tomanivi

Best for epic views

Lace up your hiking boots and be prepared to break a sweat for a challenging climb up to the summit of Mount Tomanivi. This jungle-strewn peak on the main island is the highest point in Fiji, measuring 1324 meters (4343ft). The return trek takes around four hours but you'll realize it was worth the effort as you take in the epic views of the surrounding emerald interior and the endless blue beyond.

Adventure company Talanoa Treks runs trips to Mount Tomanivi with local guides, and if you fancy a little more exertion, the company runs a "two peak challenge" with Fiji’s second-highest peak, Mount Batilamu, added to the agenda. 

9. Projects Abroad

Best for sustainable travel in Fiji

Help do your bit for the environment while in Fiji and sign up as a volunteer with Projects Abroad . This social enterprise, which has one location in Nadi and another close to the coast in Pacific Harbour, runs a range of volunteer projects that include shark conservation and beach clean-ups.

One of the business’ other focuses is mangrove restoration in a bid to protect natural habitats and stop coastal erosion. Many volunteers offset the carbon footprint of their flight by planting mangrove seedlings in the nursery and to date, more than 6 hectares (15 acres) of mangroves have been planted by Projects Abroad volunteers in Fiji since 2014.

Local tip: Like many other Pacific islands, Fiji is already feeling the effects of climate change. The village of Vunidogoloa was the first to move because of floods and erosion: 32 families relocated to higher land 2km (1.2 miles) away. 

This article was first published Nov 24, 2021 and updated Oct 4, 2023.

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Fiji reopens to foreign tourists for first time in nearly two years

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Rebel Wilson shows off weight loss in bright orange swimsuit

The Aussie actress has donned a bright orange swimsuit in a new video campaign to promote one of our favourite destinations.

Secret slice of paradise hours from Sydney

Huge news for popular holiday destination

Fiji’s best secret islands revealed

Aussie actress Rebel Wilson has taken some time away from her thriving career in the US to film a tourism video for Fiji, as the island nation reopens to international travellers.

Wilson donned a bright orange swimming costume for the “Open for Happiness” campaign with Tourism Fiji.

Fully vaccinated Aussies have been welcomed back to Fiji’s 333 islands since December 1.

Travellers must have received two doses of an approved Covid vaccine, must test negative to coronavirus within 72 hour of their flight, must undertake a rapid antigen test once arriving at their accommodation in Fiji and must stay at a Covid-certified ‘Care Fij Commited’ resort for at least three days.

In the tourism video, Wilson escapes the hustle and bustle of her acting life in Hollywood to explore Fiji, as the locals shower her with “bula” - hello in Fijian - and welcome her back.

Wilson told Tourism Fiji she had fond memories of visiting the idyllic islands as a child.

“When someone asks you whether you want to visit Fiji - there is really only one answer isn’t there? It’s one of the most beautiful places in the world,” she said.

“I had the best time filming this campaign, there really is nothing like the white sand and clear waters of Fiji. It is truly breathtaking.

“But even more than the landscape, I love Fiji the most for its people.

“Everyone greets you with a smile and a ‘bula’, the warmth and hospitality of everyone I met is something I will always remember. Fiji truly is open for happiness.”

Fiji has vaccinated more than 90 per cent of its eligible population and has been thriving since welcoming tourists back.

Tourism Fiji CEO Brent Hill said the reopening of Fiji to international tourists had been “a long time coming”.

“We’re so proud to launch this campaign, featuring the brilliant Rebel Wilson,” Mr Hill said, referring to the tourism video.

“What a pleasure it was working with someone so talented, and who truly embraced everything Fiji is about - from our natural beauty, to our people and our local musicians, producers and talent.

“This was such a special campaign for us to make in Fiji.

“We are thrilled to once again finally be able to welcome our visitors back from around the globe to the shores of Fiji - it has been a long time coming.”

It was feared Fiji would close its borders to international travellers due to the unknown nature of the latest variant of concern, Omicron.

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However the nation is confident in the work it has done over the past 18 months to prepare for any potential issues related to the pandemic.

Last week, as the first flight from Sydney left for Nadi, Fiji Airways Managing Director and CEO Andre Viljoen said the airline and the nation had been “working hard since March last year to prepare for this moment”.

“The safety of our customers and staff will always be our highest priority. Our entire workforce is fully vaccinated, our new Travel Ready program is dedicated to medical safety and wellness, and Fiji Airways is the only airline in the Australia-Pacific region to achieve a Skytrax 5-Star Covid Safety rating as well as the highest Hospital Grade ‘Diamond’ certification by APEX Health and Safety,” Mr Viljoen said.

Australians are flocking to this stunning “paradise on earth” that is located far closer than you might think.

Direct flights will soon carry passengers from one Australian city to a popular holiday destination overseas.

These incredible tropical islands are just a short flight away from Sydney and ready to host the holiday of your dreams.

Fiji Tourism CEO Gearing Up to Bring Island Nation Out of Covid Shadow by December

Lebawit Lily Girma , Skift

August 11th, 2021 at 2:00 AM EDT

It's the first big light in the tunnel for Fiji Islands as vaccinations put the remote islands on the path to restarting tourism by December, with a new leader at the helm.

Lebawit Lily Girma

Sixteen months have passed with tourism yet to reopen in a Pacific island nation that ranks among the most tourism dependent countries in the world, and among the most hard-hit by the pandemic.

Prior to 2020, Fiji Islands’ visitor economy made up 38 percent of the gross domestic product and provided upwards of 110,000 jobs, according to a report by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) on the pandemic’s impact on Fiji’s tourism businesses. Additional challenges have ensued since Covid, including a tropical cyclone in April 2020 that affected 48 percent of tourism businesses, and a surge in variants this summer.

But for the first time in almost two years, there’s hope on the horizon for Fiji Islands, thanks to vaccinations that are now advancing rapidly.

On the heels of this news, Skift spoke to Brent Hill, the newly appointed CEO of Tourism Fiji and a veteran in tourism marketing in Australia, about the gargantuan challenge ahead in steering Fiji tourism in an innovative direction post-pandemic, and his early insights on placing the Pacific nation’s tourism industry back on track. Below is an edited version of the interview.

Skift: During your time at the South Australia Tourism Commission, you faced huge challenges with the 2019-2020 bushfires, in terms of surmounting the crisis and bringing back travelers. How does that compare to the challenge you’re about to take on now?

Brent Hill: That’s the thing, I think actually there are quite a lot of similarities in the sense that obviously, a lot of devastation and two different things, of course, a pandemic and a natural disaster.

Tourism Fiji CEO Brent Hill

One of the things that was immediately obvious in South Australia was the media commentary about the bushfires, which was that it had obviously burned significant amounts of Australia — and certainly South Australia, Kangaroo Island, etcetera, had virtually burned down. So from our perspective on the ground, understanding that Kangaroo Island is a really big island, it takes two hours to go from one end to the other — so it was really important to actually engage the media and get a true story of what was going on across.

One of the things that I’ve observed already with Fiji is obviously the commentary has all been about Covid cases and that is difficult, that is something that’s very real, but at the same time there’s a really really powerful story about the fact that 90 percent of the population is now first dose vaccinated and 30 percent fully vaccinated, so we are heading in a really good direction.

So the thing I saw there was that using communication out to media, to trade, to consumers was incredibly important. And then very quickly moving into traditional marketing campaigns to educate people about what was going on. So yeah, I certainly came to bring some of that experience to the fore.

Skift: Last summer, the IFC published a report on Covid’s impact on Fiji tourism, calling for innovation as well as “collectivism” to help the nation recover because “ traditional solutions may not be enough to help us cope with the unique challenges of COVID-19.” What are some innovative approaches you hope to bring into Fiji’s tourism industry?

Hill: It’s been interesting actually just trying to get the information from on the ground about what’s actually been going on.

What’s been interesting is that a lot of resorts have taken that time to actually really invest in their properties as well. So I think one of the things that I’m really keen to look at with the team going forward is particularly now Fiji more than ever, is actually a place that the world is going to be looking for as we emerged from COVID-19 in the sense that it’s relatively uncrowded. You’ve got these beautiful open beaches, you’ve got amazing accommodation where there isn’t a huge amount of people, it’s not a congested city, there’s a lot of outdoor air, etcetera.

From that perspective the innovation that we’re looking for is actually really positioning Fiji to different audiences who might not necessarily have looked to Fiji before. So people that might have once thought about going to the big cities of Europe and America etc that might be thinking well I need a bit of a change of style of holiday, maybe a different change of pace and meet with that innovation on the ground in terms of what is being offered. You’re going to see a really well thought out and safe experience on the ground, which I think is something that will really appeal to tourists.

The other thing that I’ll probably want to highlight as well is that, particularly from my perspective, I’m really keen for people to leave with a sense of Fiji and Fiji culture, and I think that’s a really important piece. Of course people can come to Fiji and just relax and chill out and so on, but I really want people to be able to go away and have a sense of what Fiji’s all about — so some of that might be experiencing some of the more hinterland areas or some of those islands that they might not have gone to. And we’ll have to manage that through things like certification and so on because obviously we don’t want to put the local population under any risk.

But certainly, that kind of innovation in terms of broadening the appeal of Fiji. I think a lot of people for example in Australia, where I come from, would have no idea that Fiji has amazing things like whitewater rafting, quad bikes, waterfalls. They think it’s all beaches. So that’s exciting to me to really bring that out in due course.

Skift: Speaking of new markets, this means you’ll be targeting more Americans?

Hill: Americans are going to be first, we think. If things go the way that we are planning, we’re looking at reopening in December to vaccinated travelers who return negative tests without quarantine, so that’s a really important milestone.

And, at this stage, Americans probably going to be the first cab off the rank in terms of reciprocating that arrangement. You know the issue you have in Australia — it’s gonna take a little bit of time mentally for Australia to get around the whole issue of travelers going back and forth, as long as they’re vaccinated and they test negative.

Now as a traveler who is about to leave Australia, the process that I’ve gone through is similar to what everybody should be able to do going forward down the track — proof of vaccination, proof of negative tests within 72 hours, get it all on official documentation, show that to the airlines, etc, and away you go. Now the difference that I’ve got is when I get Fiji, I will have to quarantine, but in future if you produce all that documentation, you should be able to travel freely. So that’s what we’re working towards and North America will definitely be first cab off the rank.

Skift: What are marketing strategies you have in mind for 2021-2022, and any projections at all at this point?

Hill: It’s a little too early for projections just at this stage, but we have a flight schedule for example with Fiji Airways that we’re pretty keen to meet. They’re working on our December flight schedule for North America and so on that has pretty aggressive targets in terms of how many flights they want out of the US, so that’s probably going to be our first task is making sure we fill those plans.

From a marketing perspective, we’ve got an opportunity. I’ve got a fantastic marketing team — but obviously marketing is close to my heart — led by Emma Campbell. So I’ve spent some time talking to Emma about how can we come up with a campaign that repositions Fiji to the rest of the world and lets them know that it’s open and they’re welcome again, and do that in a beautifully quintessential Fijian way but in a way that puts us on the map.

So, look, watch this space, we have got some some plans, we’ve started the process already on what that looks like. And I think that’s gonna be exciting to make that and shoot that in Fiji and get that out to market. When we’ve been closed for two years to the rest of the world, I think it demands that we sort of come out of that Covid shadow if you like, with something really significant.

Skift: How does sustainability and regenerative tourism fit in your long term vision of your work in Fiji?

Hill: It’s really important to what Fiji is all about. They have such a vested interest for obvious reasons, because they’re in that highly vulnerable part of the world, so they see the impacts of climate change, with things like dramatic weather and so on which impact on the tourism industry. I think the world as a whole has really woken up to that and the tourism industry really understands that they have to play a role. So sustainability will definitely be front and center of what we do.

Going forward, I’d love to see strategies where the most effective sustainable or sustainability strategies I’ve seen previously is where you invite the tourists to participate. One of the most successful was the Palau pledge for example — it was a beautiful initiative, it was done really well so people who visited Palau understood this is part of how we roll.

So look, I would love for tourists to be part of that feedback solution, and I think that’s something that in time will develop for sure. So yeah, for sure watch this space — it’s definitely front and center in my mind, something I’m really passionate about.

Skift: The elusive travel bubble, which we’ve been covering at Skift, including the Trans-Tasman bubble — is that something you’ll be attempting to join at all?

Hill: It’s hard to say I think. To be honest, the travel bubble from a policy perspective exists when you’ve got two jurisdictions that are essentially operating in the same way. Australia and New Zealand were chasing zero Covid eradication and had done pretty well on that. Unfortunately now in Australia, only today Sydney has the highest number they’ve ever had; they’ve been dealing with Covid for probably a good month and it’s not going down.

So from that perspective I think it’s safe to say the zero Covid strategy will have to be abandoned, and we’ll have to come up with something new and the new is definitely like what we’re seeing across the world like U.S. and UK, where it’s about vaccination being the key to travel.

So from that perspective, of course Fiji would always put its hand up for involvement in any travel bubble, but I think that was initially around all the zero Covid locations. So I think now it’s more, how can we open up to vaccinated travelers. I think Australia will still consider the Pacific first before other countries, not based on necessarily where we’re at Covid or vaccination, but because of that Oceania obligation to each other.

Skift: Where does your optimism lie for the future of Fiji tourism? Where do you hope to be a year from now?

Hill: Definitely in a year from now, I want to be open to a lot of markets. I would love to see Fiji largely back open again and resorts doing really, really well. I think my optimism lies and part of this is you know why I took up the job — because a lot of people were like, wow, did you realize what’s going on over there and big challenge, and all the rest of it.

From that perspective, the thing that I’m really excited about is that Fiji for me has always been world class, beautiful, that quintessential paradise — that hasn’t gone anywhere, it’s still there and they’ve still got those amazing resorts, amazing facilities, diving beaches and as I mentioned the hinterland. Increasingly, as we emerge from Covid-19, that’s what people are going to be looking for.

For Australia and New Zealand, a lot of those countries into Asia as well, Fiji is not that far away. So I think initially people will probably want to take some of that short haul, medium haul travel, and that positions us really really well so from that perspective I feel really optimistic that we have got what people want.

I’m glad I’m not representing you know, a big city, and trying to get back a lot of people to a big city because I think that’s going to be really hard. People are going to change their habits a bit; going to really sort of crowded places and having lots of different restrictions on movement and whatever versus going to a wide open space that’s got beautiful weather and amazing accommodation — I know which one I’d like to go to.

Skift: The first thing you do as soon as you as you arrive and learned in Fiji, after quarantine and meeting your team?

Hill: I’m super keen to get in the car, getting into a few boats and get out and experience the product. What I was really passionate about in South Australia was you had to know the product, you have to understand the operators, you have to know their passion and then do that justice and represent that well on a global level stage and I think you can only do it justice if you’ve seen it and you know what it’s like.

That’s so important because Fijians put their heart and soul and their money into their products, so I feel like my job is at the very least to go and see them, understand what it is and then work out how we can assist to provide that product to the world.

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Tags: asia , ceo interviews , coronavirus , dmos , fiji , Oceania , south pacific

Photo credit: Fiji Islands' tourism industry is preparing to reopen to North Americans by December 2021. Trey Ratcliffe / Visual Hunt

Fiji to open its borders next month and Australians already booking tropical holidays

Australian families looking for a tropical getaway say they feel more confident planning a holiday to Fiji than interstate, with double-vaccination rates in the Pacific country surpassing 80 per cent.

Key points:

• Fiji will reopen to some international tourists from November 11
• The Pacific nation has turned around its coronavirus response since June with high vaccination rates
• PM Frank Bainimarama says Fiji is "entirely confident" in managing quarantine-free travel

After months cooped up in lockdown, Sydney mum Lisa Thwaite said booking a family trip to Fiji felt surreal.

"It's exciting and really liberating," Ms Thwaite said.

"It feels like we've been sort of treading water or in limbo for so long … for me, psychologically, it was actually quite liberating to go ahead and book it."

Ms Thwaite said Fiji had always been on her bucket list of places to travel, and when Australian airlines started advertising flights to the islands last month she didn't hesitate.

"We were looking at places interstate … but it just sounded like there was more certainty going to Fiji than Queensland for a tropical holiday," she said.

"So that was what we chose to do."

Ms Thwaite is among a growing number of Australians booking holidays to the Pacific country, which this week announced specific plans for its reopening in November. 

Border to reopen due to high vaccination rate

More than 80 per cent of people in Fiji have now been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, a remarkable turnaround since June, when Fiji had the highest per-capita COVID-19 infection rates in the world .

As well as introducing a "no-jab no-job" policy, the Fijian government has been encouraging citizens to get jabbed by running a "vaccine lottery" worth 51,000 Fijian dollars ($33,000).

Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said Fiji would reopen its borders to a select number of countries, including Australia, the United States and New Zealand, from November 11.

The first tourist flight — on Fiji Airways  — is scheduled for December 1, with Qantas and Virgin Australia resuming flights later that month.

Travellers must spend at least 10 days in those approved countries, show proof of vaccination and return a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours before their departure.

On arrival in Fiji, tourists will be required to spend 48 hours on hotel premises before returning a negative rapid diagnostic test, which will allow them to travel freely to "safe" areas throughout the country.

Mr Bainimarama said he was confident Fiji could reopen safely, despite having grappled with a large COVID-19 outbreak,  which has claimed more than 630 lives . 

"To our friends in Australia and New Zealand, and to the residents of other countries, we're preparing to welcome, our message is simple: Fiji is ready to welcome you back to our shores," the Prime Minister said.

"We are entirely confident in our ability to manage the risk associated with quarantine-free travel."

Some Fijians had expressed concern that it was "too soon" to throw open the doors to international travellers .

Fiji 'ahead of Asia' in opening up for tourism 

General manager of Kokomo Island Resort Sean Flakelar said the Fijian government had done a fantastic job putting COVID-safe protocols in place ahead of the return of tourists.

"I think we're a little bit ahead of Asia," Mr Flakelar said.

"It's put us in a good position and I think that the pent-up demand and the interest in Fiji is very strong."

Mr Flakelar said phones were "starting to run hot" since Sunday's announcement.

The resort is already fully booked around the Christmas period.

"It's coming in quickly … and Easter, which is April next year, is starting to fill up."

Family reunions on the horizon

The announcement gives extra confidence to people like Shobhna Sen, a nurse in the Sydney suburb of Blacktown who has been waiting to book flights to Fiji to visit her family.

"It's important for me to go back because I have missed that family time together, especially with my elderly parents," she said.

Ms Sen has taken two weeks of annual leave in February for the trip, but said she was waiting for more clarity on Fiji's quarantine requirements before purchasing flights and accommodation.

In 2019, just over 367,000 Australians travelled to the Pacific nation, which relies heavily on international tourism for income.

'Get in quick': Summer holidays in hot demand 

Tourism Fiji CEO Brent Hill said Australians wanting to book holidays should get in quick, with some resorts already booked out for periods over Christmas and in early 2022.

"It's a pretty exciting time," Mr Hill said.

At Radisson Blue resort on the island of Viti Levu, preparations are underway to welcome back overseas guests.

General manager Charles Homsy said the business was forced to let go of 90 per cent of its staff when the pandemic hit and Fiji closed its borders in early 2020.

He said the resort had booked more than 500 room nights over the past two weeks and he expected the level of interest to increase with the latest government announcement.

"We have seen a serious number of bookings picking up, mostly from Australia, and a little bit from the US," he said.

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