FIJI is aiming to carve out a bigger presence in the Indian market with new strategies based on better research into what potential visitors seek.
Launching the first ever India Fiji Tourism Exchange at the Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort and Spa this week, Attorney-General and Tourism Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said the two countries had significant relations and there was a vast potential to expand the flow of people between them and strengthen that relationship even further.
“Already more visitors are coming to Fiji from India than ever before,” he said.
“The arrivals rose by 30 per cent last year compared with 2010. By the end of 2013, we expect that figure to double and there is plenty of room for the actual number of arrivals to grow.
“Fiji is getting exceptional exposure from the growing number of Bollywood movies being filmed here. This is testimony not only to our pristine beauty, but because of the Fiji government’s 47 per cent tax rebate for film production houses, which is attracting an increasing number of producers to these shores.
“This rebate is the highest offered by any country in the world and we expect more Bollywood films to be shot in Fiji in 2012 and are keen to capitalise on their presence to enhance our marketing efforts and promotions.”
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said Fiji had a lot to offer in the tourism market.
“We also hope to attract Indian visitors to another of our major developments — the new casino resort on Denarau Island, which is set to open by the end of 2013 and includes a 1500-seat convention centre.
“Tourism Fiji continues to target honeymooners, independent travellers, family holiday makers, high-end resort visitors as well as adventure tourists interested activities such as diving. We are also encouraging visitors to stay longer in Fiji and we are aiming to increase the average length of stay from the current six days to 10 days by highlighting more of the extraordinary experiences Fiji has to offer.”