Chinese tourists vital for tourism development of Pacific island countries: Fijian official

Chinese tourists are very important for the tourism development of the Pacific island countries like Fiji, said a Fijian official on Wednesday.

"As the Pacific island countries like Fiji, we warmly welcome Chinese tourists as they are contributing to the development of our tourism," Nanise Masau, director of Fiji's Department of Tourism told Xinhua while welcoming the arrival of the Costa Atlantica cruise which carries about 1,800 Chinese tourists.

To show Fiji's hospitality, the department worked together with China Cultural Center in Fiji by organizing a Bula (traditional) welcoming ceremony for the Chinese tourists at Suva Port with traditional warriors and musicians.

The Chinese market is very important and Fiji has done everything possible to attract more Chinese tourists, she said, adding that Fiji is getting ready to receive Chinese tourists.

According to Nanise Masau, In 2018, Fiji received a total of 49,721 visitors from China, a year-on-year increase of 1 percent. Average Chinese visitor arrival growth over the last five years recorded 17.1 percent.

Annual tourism earnings from the Chinese market in 2018 recorded 100.6 million Fijian dollars ($46.6 million), a 17.1 percent increase compared to 2017. Tourism earnings from the Chinese market have grown at an average of 21.1 percent over the last five years.