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Fiji's visitor arrivals last year declined by 7.8 percent over 2008 figures to stand at 539,405,
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However, the Reserve Bank of Fiji January economic review report said the decline is much narrower than what the RBF had forecast, mainly due to increased numbers in the latter part of 2009.
This, the RBF attributed largely to the introduction of new airlines and routes together with strong advertising and promotional campaigns by Tourism Fiji.
On a broader note, the central bank said that despite the global recession, it is forecasting growth in various sectors locally including manufacturing, agriculture and forestry, wholesale and retail trade, hotels and restaurants, construction, real estate and mining.
Figures in the RBF report also showed that 29,703 ounces of gold was produced by Vatukoula Gold Mines Ltd up to November 2009, indicating a 38.7 percent increase from levels produced in the previous financial period.
The increase has been attributed to the upgrading and introduction of new plant and machinery at the mine and diversification into surface mining by the company.
The RBF is forecasting further improvements in foreign reserves levels over the month of January, where liquidity is expected to reach $335 million by 28 January 2010.
