One of the most popular holiday destinations for Australians, we have always enjoyed a very special relationship with Fiji and its people. So when the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the world and prevented us from reaching its beautiful shores, it was a sad day for many Australians whose trips were canceled or postponed. If you’re like us, for the past 18 months you’ve been impatiently waiting for Fiji to reopen to visitors. It seems that now more than ever we all need a relaxing break, and Fiji’s path to reopening may be closer than you think.
With the recent announcement of December 1 as the target date for reopening, the answer has been clear: as soon as it is safe to do so, vacationers are eager to visit. However, with international travel in a post-pandemic world, many people are wondering what a vacation to Fiji will be like. The good news is that Fiji is still beautiful. That certainly hasn’t changed. Absence makes the heart grow fonder and the friendly people of Fiji are happier than ever to welcome you.
Actually, Holidays in Fiji might be just what the world is looking for as we learn to adapt to the “new normal.” Incredible, uncrowded properties surrounded by incredible outdoor experiences are just what the doctor ordered. Escaping the big cities to soak up the sun on pristine beaches, letting go of all the stress of the last 18 months and allowing yourself to relax and enjoy life again is what the world needs right now.
How will Fiji achieve a December 1 reopening date?
Simply put, Fiji’s main reopening strategy is a high rate of vaccination. Fiji was the first Pacific country to access COVID-19 vaccines from COVAX and received its first supply of 12,000 doses in March 2021. Since then, the island nation has continued to receive doses in batches and vaccinate more of its population.
Brent Hill, CEO of Tourism Fiji, explains:
“Vaccination is the primary strategy, so reopening at this stage is planned for late 2021. Simply put, Fiji will welcome vaccinated travelers, who undergo and pass a rapid PCR test, and who then stay and interact with them. certified tourist experiences.
As of August 10, 523,285 adults in Fiji have received their first dose of vaccine and 196,873 have received their second dose. The vaccination program will continue throughout the year, but Fiji has already done a fantastic job of rolling out the vaccine, with over 80% of the target population having received their first dose and over 20% being fully vaccinated. These percentages will continue to increase rapidly as more people are vaccinated.
Many businesses in Fiji, particularly those that rely on tourism, have been pushing for all their employees to be fully vaccinated to speed up the reopening date. Radisson Blu Resort Fiji, Denarau Island is one such company that has managed to fully vaccinate 100% of its staff and guests. It is also the first resort in Fiji to receive Pledge COVID-19 compliant hotel certification from Standard Global Services (SGS), the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company.
Fiji takes its responsibility to ensure the safety of visitors very seriously, implementing recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Fiji Health Authority on sanitation, social distancing as well as general health and safety. The World Travel and Tourism Council has also developed “Safe Travel” protocols to provide the industry with a new framework for global hospitality. The protocols provide country consistency as well as guidance to travel providers, operators and travelers on travel and tourism in a post-COVID world.
Care Fiji’s commitment
As travelers look forward to the time when they can travel to Fiji again, Fiji’s tourism industry understands that the world has changed and visitors may have different priorities and expectations than before.
To support the Fiji Government’s COVID-19 initiatives, the tourism industry has also adopted the Care Fiji Commitment; a WHO-endorsed standard of good practice in health and safety measures, designed to align the industry with travel safety standards in a post-COVID world.
The Care Fiji Pledge is your assurance that Fiji is ready to welcome you back to its shores through the implementation of best practice COVID-19 control policies and protocols. It is their commitment to you so that you can have a relaxing and safe vacation.
Care Fiji’s commitment is governed by the following key principles:
1. Border restrictions to protect Fiji, our people and our visitors
2. Best Practices: COVID-19 Mitigation Measures in the Tourism Industry
3. Destination-wide COVID-19 health and hygiene policies
4. Frontline staff trained in COVID-19 safety practices
5. Globally recognized control and mitigation measures
6. CareFIJI contact tracing app in place
In recognition of the Care Fiji Commitment, the World Travel and Tourism Council recently declared Fiji a “safe travel” destination.
Getting to Fiji
Just as your Fiji vacation may be a little different, so too will your flight – and for good reason. Fiji Airways, the national airline of Fiji, also takes its responsibility for the health and safety of its passengers very seriously. Getting to Fiji is now safer than ever, with Fiji Airways having received certification from SKYTRAX with the highest 5-star COVID-19 aviation safety rating in the world.
The SKYTRAX COVID-19 Aviation Safety Accreditation is considered a global benchmark for assessing COVID-19 travel safety and, at the time of writing, Fiji Airways is one of six airlines in the world to achieve this distinction. The airline emphasized the importance of balancing safety initiatives while maintaining its unique level of hospitality, citing customer service as one of its top priorities.
Fiji Airways Managing Director and CEO Andre Viljoen told SKYTRAX:
“SKYTRAX’s extremely rigorous rating system has independently assessed more than 190 protocols in place for COVID safety, and achieving a perfect score in these areas is a remarkable achievement for an airline of our size.
Conducted in March and April 2021 while the airline was operating repatriation flights to Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Hong Kong, the COVID-19 safety assessment assessed all safety protocols and hygiene measures introduced by the airline during COVID-19 to improve customers and staff. security. Fiji Airways serves 64% of all visitors to Fiji, making this a vital move for the airline.
Edward Plaisted, CEO of SKYTRAX, said:
“Fiji Airways has developed a very comprehensive COVID-19 safety program and their attention to detail is a key factor in achieving this highest COVID-19 aviation safety rating. Fiji Airways has created robust systems and procedures, complemented by their customer welfare champions. COVID safety is at the top of the agenda, it’s nice to see that all aspects of Fijians’ exceptional hospitality are an integral part of this.
The Bula Bubble
With all of these safety measures in place, it is clear that the people of Fiji have worked extremely hard to get their country ready to welcome us back. There’s no doubt that a relaxing vacation will do wonders for your mental health, but your vacation can help more people than just you and your family.
As a small island nation, Fiji has long relied on tourism to strengthen its economy. Tourism disruptions caused by the pandemic have seen many people face financial difficulties throughout this period. Without financial resources such as the social protection programs offered, the people of Fiji face difficulties.
Of course, the incredible Fijian spirit means they are always smiling and working very hard to be ready to reopen and welcome us back. With many Australians holding travel credits just waiting to be redeemed and some incredible, never-before-seen deals in the pipeline, the Bula Bubble is sure to be a welcome relief to Australians and the people of Fiji.
With so many safety protocols in place and an abundance of stunning natural beauty right outside the door, when Fiji reopens you’ll be able to book an amazing deal and relax like it’s 2019!
