The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Hon. Viliame Gavoka, today officially opened the Third Fiji Tourism Convention, welcoming industry stakeholders and reaffirming tourism’s central role in Fiji’s economy and national development.
Reflecting on the past four years, DPM Gavoka acknowledged that tourism is built not by institutions alone, but by people — the hoteliers, operators, farmers, artisans, drivers, and entrepreneurs whose resilience and risk-taking sustained the sector through challenging times.
He highlighted continued growth in visitor arrivals, noting that “Fiji surpassed its 2023 record of 929,740 visitors, reaching 986,367 visitors in 2025, alongside 57,420 cruise passengers recorded in the first three quarters of the year, reinforcing tourism’s strong contribution to economic growth”.
Placing Fiji’s performance in a global context, DPM Gavoka noted that international tourism reached 1.52 billion arrivals in 2025, underscoring the importance of positioning Fiji to remain competitive while ensuring growth is sustainable and inclusive.
“Over the last year, we have had many victories, including strengthened air connectivity, policy reforms, support for MSMEs, hosting major international events, and progress toward a national sustainable tourism standards framework; however, there are areas where reforms and community benefits must advance faster,” he said.
“As the Convention enters its third year, success is no longer measured by visitor numbers alone, but by how tourism grows, who benefits, and how resilient the sector remains amid changing global travel trends, climate pressures, and evolving community expectations.”
“The Convention is a strategic platform for direct engagement between Government, industry, and communities, encouraging open dialogue that will help shape policy, regulatory reform, and long-term planning,” he emphasised.
Highlighting the theme “Tourism Beyond Boundaries,” DPM Gavoka shared insights from a recent mission to Lau, reaffirming the Government’s vision to develop the Lau Group as a unique tourism region through the Na Vualiku Tourism Development Program, grounded in connectivity, community empowerment, and sustainability.
Participants were encouraged to utilise the 2-day Convention to turn discussions into action, reaffirming a collective commitment to building a resilient, inclusive, and future-ready tourism sector that delivers lasting benefits for all Fijians.