After four years of successfully steering Fijian tourism efforts, Tourism Fiji CEO Brent Hill will step down from his role in late August 2025. In a statement, Tourism Fiji said Hill will return to his native Australia with his family.
Hill, originally from Adelaide, took the reins at Tourism Fiji during the country’s most challenging period at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, but proved adept in the role as he led tourism – Fiji’s biggest industry representing 40% of GDP – out of the pandemic and into a new golden age, which has seen the Pacific nation receive record visitor numbers in recent years.
In 2024, the country welcomed more than one million international visitors for the first time, including 982,938 arrivals by air and 81,854 cruise passengers.
This surpassed the previous record of the year before – not bad for a country which had essentially reset after the pandemic. And Hill, as CEO of Tourism Fiji, was instrumental in this revival.
In a statement today, Tourism Fiji Chair Andre Viljoen called Hill “an outstanding CEO and an inspirational leader for Tourism Fiji”.
“Over the past four years, he has guided the organisation through a period of significant transformation and growth, particularly in the wake of the global pandemic,” said Viljoen, who last week announced his resignation as CEO and Managing Director of Fiji Airways.
“His strategic vision, creative energy and deep commitment to the people and culture of Fiji have left an enduring mark on the organisation and the wider tourism industry.”
In particular, the Chair flagged Hill’s role in two major strategic corporate plans that grew visitor numbers to record levels and the development of several global brand campaigns, including the widely recognised “Where Happiness Comes Naturally” initiative.
He also highlighted events including FTE, AHICE Fiji, NRL, the upcoming GSTC Global Summit and the World Surf League’s Fiji Pro that Tourism Fiji delivered under Hill’s leadership.
“During his tenure, Brent was also a champion for investment in tourism into Fiji, and has provided unparalleled expertise and insight to investors, operators and stakeholders, as the industry continues to grow and develop in line with the growth in demand,” Viljoen added.
“The pipeline of projects, brands and operators coming to Fiji and sustainably developing the future of the industry, is due in large part to his commitment to the industry and its growth.”
According to Viljoen, Hill was also a “major advocate for sustainability, introducing EV vehicles in scale to Fiji through Tourism Fiji’s transition to fully renewable cars and an EarthCheck accredited green and renewable new modern office in Nadi”.
“He also helped oversee both the Bin it or Bag It campaign, as well as the introduction of Loloma Hour – a significant step forward in Fiji’s regenerative tourism efforts,” he noted.
Viljoen said the search for Hill’s replacement would begin immediately.
“We would like to thank and acknowledge Brent for his exemplary leadership, tireless dedication and the passion he brought to his role every day,” he stated.
“He has played a pivotal role in rebuilding and growing Fiji’s tourism sector, always advocating for innovation, sustainability and inclusive development.”
Following the resignation last week of Viljoen as MD and CEO of Fiji Airways – another success story for the island nation – it’ll be fascinating to see where tourism goes next as Aussies flock to the country in record numbers.
For more info on Tourism Fiji, visit www.fiji.travel.
Read what Hill had to say about the state of tourism in Fiji at the recent Fiji Tourism Exchange (FTE) in Nadi.
