• Record-Breaking Cash Inflow: Australian tourists splurged an estimated $3.7 billion (Fijian dollars) in Fiji between July 2023 and June 2024.
• Top 15 Destination: Fiji ranks 11th on the list of hotspots where Aussies love to spend their holiday dollars.
• Tourism Powerhouse: Representing over 45% of total tourist arrivals, Australia remains Fiji’s largest and most vital source market.
• Visitor Surge: Nearly 450,000 Australian visitors made the trip last year—a 5% increase from the previous year.
• Spending Breakdown: The Ministry of Tourism reveals that of the total $3.22 billion contributed in 2023, 46% was spent before arrival and 54% during the stay.
• Competitive Edge: While Indonesia and New Zealand lead in overall Australian tourist expenditure, Fiji’s numbers show a robust and growing appeal.
In a dazzling display of tourism triumph, Fiji has captured the hearts—and wallets—of Australian travellers. According to Westpac Fiji’s latest economic update, Australian tourists spent around $3.7 billion (Fijian dollars) in the period from July 2023 to June 2024. This impressive figure has propelled Fiji to the 11th spot on the list of destinations where Australians choose to spend the most when on holiday.
Australia: Fiji’s Tourism Lifeline
Westpac Fiji’s senior economist, Shamal Chand, highlighted that Australia is not only Fiji’s largest tourism source market—accounting for over 45% of all arrivals—but also a critical component of the island nation’s economic engine. Last year, Fiji welcomed close to 450,000 Australian visitors, marking a 5% increase over the previous year. Chand is optimistic that, provided the environment remains conducive, this strong trend will continue into 2025.
Interestingly, during 2023, over 10 million Australian residents embarked on short-term trips for both leisure and business, with around 434,000 (or 4.2%) choosing Fiji as their destination. In the immediate post-pandemic period, when Fiji’s borders first reopened in late 2021 and early 2022, a surge saw over 11% of Australian travellers flocking to the islands—as other popular destinations were still shuttered. Since then, the numbers have normalized to historical levels, yet the allure of Fiji remains undeniable.
Deep Dive into the Dollars
The Ministry of Tourism’s 2023 Fiji International Visitor Survey paints a fascinating picture of tourist spending. The nearly 930,000 visitors contributed an estimated $3.22 billion to the economy. Of this, 46% of the expenditure—roughly $1.48 billion—occurred before arrival, with the remaining 54% (about $1.74 billion) spent while visitors were in the country. Notably, the average visitor now spends $404 per night—up from $376 in 2022—and the overall trip expenditure averaged $3,462, reflecting shifting spending habits in the post-pandemic travel landscape.
While Fiji’s numbers are impressive, the survey also notes that between June 2023 and July 2024, Australian tourist spending soared in other destinations too. Indonesia led the pack with $9.8 billion in expenditure, followed by New Zealand at $8.2 billion. Yet, Fiji’s robust performance underscores its status as a cherished destination for Australian holidaymakers.
As Fiji continues to build on its strong tourism foundation, these impressive figures not only highlight the country’s magnetic appeal but also reinforce the critical role that Australian visitors play in driving its economic growth. With more travellers expected to flock to its sun-kissed shores, the future looks exceptionally bright for Fiji’s tourism industry.
Stay tuned for further updates as Fiji leverages this tourism boom to create even more opportunities for growth and prosperity!
