ONE of Australia’s most popular international tourist destinations flagged plans to open up to Australia once again last month, after more than 18 months of border restrictions. Fiji declared fully vaccinated Australians would be able to travel to the Pacific Island nation from 11 November, with the only restriction being a need to spend two days of their holiday in a booked resort.
Responding to the news, Jetstar and Qantas both introduced direct flights from Sydney to Fiji taking off from mid-Dec, with five weekly Jetstar flights departing from 17 Dec, and four Qantas flights from 19 December – equating to approximately 3,200 seats per week. Fiji Airways also revealed air services would resume from 01 Dec leaving Sydney, followed by Melbourne and Brisbane shortly after.
Dispelling the fear that trips to Fiji would be confined to resorts, the country’s Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said that many safe travel areas would be open to tourists once a rapid diagnostic test was taken 48 hours after arrival, including restaurants, shopping and sanctioned tours.
Aussie travellers will also need to show proof of vaccination and test negative for COVID 72 hours prior to departure.
