Amid cautious optimism and hope, the 2026 Fiji Tourism Exchange (FTE) has kicked off in Denarau, buoyed by strong visitor numbers and a robust outlook for future tourism growth. Karryon’s Mark Harada reports from Fiji.
At a time of political and economic uncertainty across much of the world, Fiji is positioning itself as a place of peace for visitors; a destination travellers can rely on, offering tourists a connection to its people led by the Fijian “bula” spirit (along with a healthy dose of sun, fun and guaranteed good times).
Speaking at the opening of FTE 2026, Tourism Fiji CEO Dr Paresh Pant said the exchange is “where partnerships are strengthened, where new stories are shaped, and where real commercial opportunities are created and realised”. In other words, the event is a big deal for Fiji’s biggest industry.
This year’s edition comes on the back of a solid year for Fiji tourism. According to Dr Pant, the Pacific nation welcomed just under 1 million (987,000) visitor arrivals in 2025, with around four in five, unsurprisingly, coming for holidays.
Australians continued to anchor Fiji’s visitor mix in 2025. A total of 452,422 visitors arrived from Australia last year, accounting for about 46 per cent of all international arrivals. However, 2025 Aussie visitor numbers were slightly lower year-on-year.
The overall result, Pant said, came despite “ongoing global economic pressures, including the cost of living constraints in Australia” along with more cautious spending in other markets.
In total, visitor spending for the year was up more than 10 per cent, rising to FJ$2.81 billion – and figures for January and February 2026 are tracking above last year’s start.
“The visitor value has remained strong; the average length of stay, the spending patterns; it’s remained strong and is trending upwards,” Pant added.
According to the Tourism Fiji boss, the country is now entering “a period of stabilisation following the post-Covid surge from late 2024 and into 2025”.
“Fiji has transitioned from the recovery momentum to stable performance,” he remarked.
“It’s not about chasing the artificial highs, but building disciplined, intentional growth grounded in strong holiday demand, diversified markets and focused destination marketing strategy.”
Of course, stability does not equate to complacency – and Pant said that the country must remain agile in an unpredictable global environment.
“While the performances have stabilised, we are also mindful that our global climate remains fluid,” Pant said.
“Fiji must remain proactive, coordinated and ready to respond to shifts in the demand patterns as they emerge.”
TAG returns
Part of this response is the reactivation of Fiji’s Tourism Action Group (TAG), a platform that “brings together government and major industry partners under a coordinated umbrella”.
While the group has historically guided the industry through periods of disruption, its immediate focus will be to maintain visitor confidence – prioritising, firstly, April to October 2026.
“So when you, our valued trade partners, send your guests over to Fiji, they are given that assurance that they’ll have a great time here.”
With tourism accounting for more than 40% of the country’s GDP, you can be sure authorities will do everything in their power to ensure that confidence continues.
Speaking at the opening of the Fiji Tourism Exchange, TAG Chairman Damend Gounder said the group is “more than a mechanism for coordination”.
“It is a shared strategic vision, one that encompasses the interest of every stakeholder of our industry, from the tourism owner who invests in growth to the employee who welcomes our visitors,” he remarked.
“TAG ensures that all voices are aligned and all contributions are valued. We are not just protecting a sector. We are protecting the livelihood of all the communities engaged directly or indirectly in the tourism sector – and the spirit of service that defines our country and our destination.”
Thus, TAG aims to benefit visitors as well as those welcoming them.
Accomm ascending
As visitor numbers climb, Fiji’s tourism offering is expanding too, particularly in the accommodation space. And it apparently needs to.
According to Pant, the country requires around 5,000 additional rooms to keep pace with demand. While that’s no small task, the island nation is already making progress on closing the gap – especially close to the gateway region, Nadi.
The Westin Fiji Golf Resort & Spa, whose launch was delayed, is now scheduled to swing its doors open in 2026.
The Radisson Group has also been busy, with the Radisson Blu Mirage Resort, Fiji Naisoso Island due to open this year. In addition, the chain recently revealed that it had signed a deal to manage and oversee the complete refurbishment of family favourite, Mana Island Resort & Spa Fiji.
However, Accor will contribute by far the most new inventory to the accommodation sector. Next door to the already existing Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa, the group says it will open the five-star Vatu Talei (‘The Jewel’) property within the next 12 months. With seven floors, the new hotel takes hotel construction in Denarau to a new level of scale.
Meanwhile, Accor will open the Na Tomba resort in between the Sofitel and Hilton Fiji Beach Resort and Spa in Denarau. The new four-star property is also due to open in the next 12 months.
Elsewhere, there will be a new Ritz-Carlton property, located in Fiji’s Coral Coast, and before then, the country’s first One&Only resort, which is under construction in the Yasawa Islands.
More Yasawas
To boost travel to the Yasawas, the government is looking to build a new airport in the island group.
Crucially, the new hub will look to welcome Fiji Airways’ ATR aircraft, capable of bringing more guests to the region.
Speaking at the Fiji Tourism Exchange, Deputy Prime Minister and Tourism Minister Viliame Gavoka said the country is also planning improvements at other airstrips in the country as part of a masterplan for Fiji’s aviation sector, which will also include upgrades to the major gateway, Nadi International Airport, that will eventually include a second runway.
Karryon is reporting live from Fiji Tourism Exchange 2026, which is taking place at the Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort. Stay tuned for more from the event.
The writer is a guest of Tourism Fiji.
All images (except bottom) by Mark Harada
