fiji is back in focus after Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka told Parliament that the Tourism Action Group was reactivated on 19 March to protect the sector from emerging global threats. The warning comes as the Middle East conflict deepens, disrupting aviation routes, increasing fuel costs, and weakening travel confidence. Gavoka said the move is meant to keep Fiji’s tourism industry coordinated, fast-moving, and ready for shocks.
Why the Tourism Action Group was switched back on
Gavoka said the reactivation was a direct response to intensifying global risks, with the Middle East conflict named as a major concern. He said the country cannot wait for problems to reach full force before acting, especially when tourism remains central to the economy.
The minister said Fiji recorded 71, 765 visitor arrivals in March, a 12. 4 percent increase over the same month last year. He also said 2025 has already produced a record 986, 367 visitors and $2. 81 billion in earnings, but cautioned that the strong numbers do not remove the need for immediate planning. In his remarks, Gavoka stressed that tourism contributes more than 40 percent to Fiji’s GDP and remains the country’s main source of foreign exchange.
Fiji must stay coordinated
Gavoka said competing destinations in South-East Asia are preparing aggressive campaigns aimed at key markets, including Australia and New Zealand. He said that means Fiji must protect its position with unified action and quicker coordination across government and industry.
He described TAG as an activation mechanism rather than a permanent body, saying it brings together government and private sector stakeholders during crises. The group includes Tourism Fiji, Fiji Airways, the Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association, inbound tour operators, and key government ministries. Gavoka said its strength lies in speed, unity, and reach, especially when the global environment becomes unstable.
He added that tourism earnings help fund essential imports, fuel, infrastructure, and services, making the sector’s stability a national priority. He said the government wants TAG to develop beyond emergency response and play a stronger advisory role, with more planning capacity and broader representation, including small operators, community-based providers, and stakeholders outside major centres. The long-term target remains 1. 25 million visitors and $4 billion in tourism earnings by 2027, a goal Gavoka said will require strategic action.
What officials and industry voices are saying
Opposition MP Faiyaz Koya welcomed the move, calling TAG a tried and tested mechanism that removes fragmentation and supports coordinated decision-making. He said the group proved its value during the pandemic, when border closures and grounded flights brought the industry to a standstill, and collaboration helped Fiji reopen early and revive tourism.
Koya said global tensions, especially in the Middle East, create serious risks that demand a coordinated response. He said stakeholders, including Fiji Airways, must work together on challenges such as fuel supply and operational efficiency. He added that TAG sends a clear message to the global market that Fiji is organised, coordinated, and ready, which matters for investor and traveller confidence.
What happens next for fiji
The next phase will center on how quickly TAG can turn from reactivation into action, especially if global travel conditions worsen further. For fiji, the pressure now is to preserve momentum while building a stronger, broader system that can respond fast when the next shock arrives. Gavoka said that unified and strategic action will be essential as fiji moves toward its 2027 targets.
