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Tourist visitors to Fiji in January reached 45,362 out of which 21,586 were Australians.
The figures show an increase of 37.6 percent overall compared with the same period last year, while the Australian numbers increased by 65.2 percent from 2009.
“Obviously Australians believe in coming to Fiji as a holiday destination notwithstanding the various negative publicity but we are very happy with that," Attorney-General and Minister for Tourism Aiyaz Saiyed-Khaiyum said.
He added the figures indicate the offshore campaigns conducted by Tourism Fiji was doing well and that Government funds spent on marketing Fiji as a tourist destination was paying dividends.
Visitor arrivals from New Zealand also increased in January by 49.8 percent compared with January 2009.
Percentage increases for January also included Europe which rose by 22 percent while Asian countries topped the list with Taiwan showing an increase of 218.6 percent, India 102.5 percent, South Korea 90.3 percent and China 75.3 percent.
The quick rise in Asian visitor arrivals is linked with Air Pacific’s regular flights to Hong Kong that began last December.
“We believe the direct connectivity with Hong Kong played a part in that and that it will continue to play a part.
“The strategic drive to target particularly China and India will pay dividend as they are the two largest growing markets in the tourism sector,” Saiyed-Khaiyum said.
