Source: Liku Liku Lagoon Resort
The idyllic island nation of Fiji, which has been closed to international visitors for nearly two years, is set to reopen to tourists once again.
Beginning December 1st, Fiji will allow vaccinated international tourists to visit the country – with a couple of stipulations.
According to CNN, incoming international passengers will need to show proof of vaccine, together with proof of a negative COVID test. They must take an additional PCR test 48 hours after arrival into the country. Travelers will also need to download the CareFiji app to their phones ahead of arrival in the country. The app provides guidelines tourists will need to follow and they will also be able to use the app to book hotels and resorts.
“It’s been almost two years since we welcomed international visitors,” Fiji Minister for Tourism, Hon. Faiyaz Koya said in a statement reported by CNN. “And in these two years, we’ve struggled, we’ve adapted, and we’ve prepared. Today, our national airline is ready, our hotels and tour providers are ready, and Fijians are ready to safely welcome the world back. We are ready to let happiness find you again.”
CNN reports as part of the country’s reopening, the country’s national airline, Fiji Airways, will be offering flight and resort deals to lure tourists back to the tropical islands.
According to The Guardian, tourism accounted for 40 percent of Fiji’s economy prior to the pandemic and the nation has worked hard to be able to once again reopen its vital tourism market by implementing an aggressive vaccination campaign. Approximately 80 percent of Fiji’s population have received both doses of the COVID vaccine.
“Our tourism industry has been waiting a long time for this,” Tourism Fiji chief executive Brent Hill told The Guardian. “While not everyone will be able to open on 1 December, the overwhelming majority of our industry and those employing significant numbers are very much behind the announcement, and ready to safely open our borders once again to the world.”