AGP Executive Report

Tourism & Culture: Fiji Airways will back the Fijian Flying Circus on its first Australian tour, bringing a contemporary Pacific show to Darwin, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney from Sept 4–Oct 4, with Fiji culture featured on in-flight entertainment. Events & Investment: The AHICE Fiji Islands Investment in Tourism Conference is underway in Nadi with 400+ delegates, after charity activities and a welcome address by Deputy PM and Tourism Minister Viliame Gavoka. Local Experiences: Nasaseru Pool tourism in Wailevu East is being revived by community efforts, with visitors invited to learn local customs around the healing spring. Air Connectivity: Fiji Airways says Korean Air’s planned return to the region could add competitive pressure on Asian routes, but it will keep focusing on seamless connectivity for travellers. Economy Watch: At the State of the Economy Dialogue, Fiji’s growth outlook was cut (RBF/IMF warnings) as debt and inflation risks mount, with calls for tighter fiscal policy and faster delivery. Health & Infrastructure: Fiji will install 10 eco-mortuaries after Kadavu claims about a baby being kept in an ice-filled esky, with solar-powered backup planned. Regional Travel Demand: A US incentive travel programme is set to bring 450+ visitors and more than $10m into Fiji over a week.

Airline & Culture: Fiji Airways will back the Fijian Flying Circus on its first Australian tour, with performances across Darwin, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney during the Brisbane Festival (Sept 4–Oct 4) and circus content added to in-flight entertainment. Health & Community Services: Fiji will install 10 eco-mortuaries after Kadavu families alleged bodies were stored in ice-filled eskies and complained about leaky transport and same-day burials; the plan includes solar-powered units with generator backup. Tourism & Local Access: Pacific Harbour resorts are teaming up to market the area together, aiming to pool buying power for cheaper promotions and boost bookings as visitors keep favouring Nadi and the Coral Coast. Economy & Travel Demand: The IMF and Fiji’s Reserve Bank both warn growth is slowing as inflation rises and tourism momentum softens, with higher fuel costs and weaker consumer spending likely to affect travel and visitor spend. Migration & Labour: Pacific immigration leaders met in Suva to plan for future migration pressures, while Fiji reported about 4,000 foreign worker applications in three months as employers keep filling workforce gaps. Safety Nets: A new 24-hour safe shelter for women and girls in Fiji’s Western Division is set to open through a partnership with Empower Pacific, offering crisis support and referrals for survivors. Sports Tech for Visitors: LiveU delivered remote VAR to the OFC Pro League for the first time, bringing more high-profile Pacific football coverage that can help draw fans and travel interest.

Fiji Economy Watch: The Reserve Bank of Fiji has cut its 2026 growth forecast to 1.5% (from 3.0%), citing higher fuel prices, rising inflation and softer consumer spending, with inflation expected to top 6% by year-end—another reminder that Fiji’s tourism-led rebound is losing momentum. Tourism Policy & Community Impact: Fiji’s Public Health Amendment Bill is raising concerns for resorts hosting concerts and festivals, with officials warning noise definitions could be too vague and trigger complaints from nearby villages. RSE Workforce Spotlight: Fijian seasonal workers in New Zealand are being praised by employers as reliable and highly productive, with the RSE scheme continuing to support hundreds of families ahead of the next group arriving in November. Airline & Culture: Fiji Airways is backing the Fijian Flying Circus on its first Australian tour, bringing performers to Darwin, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney and featuring the troupe’s content on in-flight entertainment. Diving Travel: GoPro and Dive With Buddy have launched “GoPro Escapes,” with Fiji among the first wave of creator-led group dive trips across 2026. Regional Travel Safety: Pacific agencies are monitoring coastal waters after a powerful Philippines earthquake, with Fiji included in a wider advisory but no tsunami threat confirmed for New Zealand.

Tourism & Culture: A 10-year-old Sydney-born girl, Richa Dewan, is travelling to Lautoka to perform Tamil devotional kirtans at the Field 40 Gangaiyanman Kovil Temple during the annual firewalking ceremony—honouring her late grandfather, a former temple kirtan singer. Aviation & Connectivity: Fiji Airways will restore direct Nadi–Nouméa flights from 22 September, twice weekly via Fiji Link’s ATR 72-600, as regional demand grows and Nouméa remains a key hub for Pacific organisations. Public Health & Visitor Experience: Proposed changes to Fiji’s Public Health Act could tighten rules on noise and “nuisance” complaints, with resorts hosting concerts and festivals warning they need clearer guidelines to avoid disputes with nearby communities. Economy Watch (Travel Impact): Fiji’s growth outlook has been cut to 1.5% as tourism momentum softens and inflation is expected to rise above 6%, with the IMF also flagging slower growth and higher living costs. Environment & Sustainability: Environment Minister Lynda Tabuya says Fiji can’t claim climate resilience while pollution and poor waste management keep damaging rivers, reefs and ecosystems—waste and climate action are inseparable.

Marine Protection: French Polynesia plans to expand its fully protected “no-take” ocean zones inside the world’s largest marine protected area, boosting areas where human activity is banned to 1.6 million sq km—aimed at protecting biodiversity while still allowing limited sustainable tourism. Environment & Tourism: Fiji Environment Minister Lynda Tabuya says Fiji can’t call itself climate resilient while pollution and waste keep damaging rivers, reefs and ecosystems, warning that plastic and poor waste management undermine nature’s role in protecting communities. Waste-to-Energy Push Rejected: Fiji’s Department of Environment has rejected a proposed Vuda waste-to-energy incinerator and private port facility backed by Australian billionaire Ian Malouf, citing unresolved environmental and technical issues—an ongoing flashpoint for tourism hotspots. Air Access: Fiji Airways will restore direct Nadi–Nouméa flights from September (twice weekly via Fiji Link ATR 72-600), strengthening travel links between Fiji and New Caledonia. Port Safety: Natovi Jetty will be temporarily closed for 24 hours after an underwater survey found submerged boulders that could endanger vessels, with travellers urged to use alternatives. Community & Social: Lautoka agencies are drafting a coordinated plan to address growing street dwellers and street children, including reported issues near the Lautoka seawall. Travel Inspiration: A new wave of Fiji-focused travel stories includes school marine biology trips to Nadi and renewed interest in South Pacific cruising routes that stop in Fiji.

Tsunami Watch: A powerful Philippines earthquake has put Pacific coastal monitoring on alert, with Fiji and other islands included in a regional advisory while New Zealand says there’s no tsunami threat. Waste & Water: Environment Minister Lynda Tabuya says Fiji can’t claim climate resilience while pollution and poor waste management keep damaging rivers, reefs and ecosystems. Aviation Update: Fiji Airways will restore direct Nadi–Nouméa flights from 22 September, twice weekly on Fiji Link ATR 72-600 aircraft. Cruise for Food Lovers: A Sydney-to-Seattle trans-Pacific cruise via Fiji, Nouméa and Lifou is being pitched as a slow, comfort-first trip with standout South Pacific dining stops. Jetty Disruption: Natovi Jetty is temporarily closed for 24 hours after underwater checks found submerged boulders that could endanger vessels. Justice & Travel Access: Fiji’s new “spent convictions” law is described as a major second-chance reform, helping people with past convictions with jobs and overseas travel. Culture & Identity: The 2013 Constitution is blamed for erasing or confusing indigenous iTaukei identity, with tourism impacts raised at the Constitution Review Commission. Health Tourism Win: A woman returns home after successful heart surgery in Fiji for rheumatic heart disease. Sports & Tourism Link: Fiji is named among OFC teams in the build-up to New Zealand’s direct Oceania World Cup qualification spot.

Medical Tourism & Community Health: A Fiji hospital says a woman, Maria Asuelu, has returned home after urgent mechanical mitral valve replacement surgery for rheumatic heart disease, highlighting access to advanced care in the Pacific. Aviation & Connectivity: Fiji Airways is set to resume direct Nadi–Nouméa flights from September 22, twice weekly, boosting seats and regional links for travellers and delegates. Cruising & First-Timers: A new cruise feature spotlights a “refined” sailing experience aimed at people trying cruising for the first time, with Fiji in the itinerary. Travel Safety on the Water: Natovi Jetty will close for 24 hours after an underwater survey found submerged boulders that could endanger vessels, with travellers urged to use alternatives. Tourism, Culture & Lifestyle: A Fiji stay story from the Yasawas (Nanuya Lailai) gives a close-up look at homestay life and oceanfront travel. Regional Travel Appeal: Tourism Solomons backs “Aelan Riddim 26,” bringing Fiji and other Melanesian artists to Honiara and adding another reason to visit the region. Airline Alliance News: Philippine Airlines moves toward oneworld membership, reinforcing broader Asia-Pacific travel network growth that can benefit Fiji connections.

Cruise & first-timers: A Norwegian Cruise Line branded look at the reimagined Norwegian Spirit pitches “grown-up” South Pacific cruising from Sydney, with adults-only dining and a bigger focus on relaxation. Luxury stays: Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort in Savusavu shares details of a multi-million-dollar renewal, including expanded two-bedroom oceanfront bures, refreshed shared spaces, and new fitness options. New air links: Fiji Airways will restart direct Nadi–Nouméa flights from September 22 (twice weekly), boosting seats and connectivity for travellers and regional organisations. Cruise inspiration: A first-person guide to Celebrity Solstice cruising from Sydney to Fiji highlights onboard life for solo travellers and what to expect at sea. Travel safety & access: Natovi Jetty will close for 24 hours (June 7–8) after an underwater survey found submerged boulders creating a navigation hazard. Sustainable tourism pressure: Fiji rejected an Australian billionaire-backed Vuda waste-to-energy incinerator plan, citing unresolved environmental impact issues—while community groups say the scale and location were the problem. Business & hospitality leadership: Marriott appoints John Douglas as Area General Manager, Pacific Islands, with Fiji as his base and oversight across its Pacific resort portfolio.

Waste-to-energy showdown in Vuda: Fiji’s Environment Ministry has rejected the EIA for the proposed Vuda Point incinerator and private port, citing unresolved issues from project scale and imported waste to hazardous ash, public health, tourism, and social/cultural impacts—while local groups say the decision restores confidence in customary land rights. Jetty safety alert for travellers: Natovi Jetty in Fiji is set to close for 24 hours (8am Sun June 7 to 8am Mon June 8) after an underwater survey found submerged boulders that could become a navigational hazard during low tides. Luxury stays get a refresh: Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort in Savusavu has reopened after a multi-million-dollar renewal, expanding two-bedroom oceanfront bures and upgrading shared spaces, fitness and wellness areas. New hotel leadership: Marriott International has appointed John Douglas as Area General Manager, Pacific Islands, with Fiji as his base, overseeing key Sheraton and Westin properties. Air connectivity boost: Fiji Airways will resume direct Nadi–Nouméa flights from Sept 22, twice weekly, adding over 10,000 seats annually. On-island learning: Students from Des Moines Public Schools visited Nadi to study Pacific marine life. Travel culture tie-in: Love Island USA Season 8 is filming in Fiji’s Mamanuca Islands, keeping the destination in the global spotlight.

Maritime Safety: Natovi Jetty in Fiji is set for a temporary 24-hour closure after an underwater survey found submerged boulders that could become a navigation hazard, with berthing and loading suspended from 8am Sunday June 7 to 8am Monday June 8. Tourism & Infrastructure: Fiji’s Environment Ministry has rejected the Vuda waste-to-energy incinerator and private port proposal after its environmental impact assessment failed key legal requirements, citing unresolved issues including imported waste, hazardous ash, public health risks, tourism impacts and infrastructure concerns. Aviation & Connectivity: Fiji Airways will resume direct Nadi–Nouméa flights from September 22, with a twice-weekly service (Tuesdays and Fridays) using ATR 72-600 aircraft to boost regional travel and tourism links. Luxury Stay Update: Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort in Savusavu has reopened following a multi-million-dollar renewal, expanding oceanfront two-bedroom bures and refreshing shared spaces while keeping its “barefoot luxury” feel. Hotel Leadership: Marriott International has appointed John Douglas as Area General Manager, Pacific Islands, with Fiji as his base and oversight of key resorts including Sheraton Denarau Villas and Tokoriki Island. Sports Funding: Fiji’s National Sports Commission is seeking a bigger budget for 2026–27, including support for Team Fiji to the 2027 Pacific Games and a new High Performance Unit. Public Health & Housing: The Fiji Institute of Environmental Health is pushing for minimum housing standards in a Public Health Amendment Bill, citing recurring complaints about poor ventilation, sanitation and unsafe temporary accommodation.

Waste & Tourism Protection: Fiji’s Environment Ministry has rejected the Vuda Point energy-from-waste and private port EIA, citing unresolved issues on project scale, imported waste, hazardous ash, water and public health risks, plus social, cultural and tourism impacts—leaving The Next Generation Holdings (TNG) with an appeal route to the Environmental Tribunal by July 3. Air Connectivity: Fiji Airways will resume direct Nadi–Nouméa flights from September 22, twice weekly on ATR 72-600 aircraft, boosting seats and travel links for tourism and regional business. Luxury Stays: Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort in Savusavu unveils a multi-million-dollar renewal, expanding two-bedroom oceanfront bures and refreshing shared spaces. Hotel Leadership: Marriott appoints John Douglas as Area General Manager, Pacific Islands, with Fiji as his base and oversight across its Pacific resort portfolio. Travel Inspiration: Love Island USA (Season 8) is filmed in Fiji’s Mamanuca Islands, keeping the destination in the spotlight for viewers. Local Living Standards: Fiji Bus Operators Association urges commuters to use e-ticketing cards to unlock government fare subsidies as cash payments limit support. Education & Field Trips: Des Moines Public Schools students visited Nadi to study marine life, highlighting Fiji as a hands-on learning destination.

Waste & Environment: Fiji’s Environment Ministry has rejected the Environmental Impact Assessment for the Vuda Point energy-from-waste incinerator and private port, citing unresolved issues including project scale, imported waste, hazardous ash, water supply, public health risks, and major social, cultural and tourism impacts—leaving the developer with only an appeal route via the Environmental Tribunal (deadline July 3). Local Transport: Fiji bus operators say commuters should use e-ticketing cards to access the 22.5% fare subsidy, warning cash payments can limit support as fuel costs rise. Tourism & Business: Fiji hosted SPTE 2026 at Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa, with Fiji Airways backing the event as a key regional connector. Travel Culture: A new South Pacific Pocket Guide launches the Wallis and Futuna Pocket Guide, offering practical planning help for independent travellers. Fiji in the Spotlight: “Love Island USA” is filmed in Fiji’s Mamanuca Islands, with past seasons also shot there. Sports Tourism: Fiji Airways’ Fijiana 7s are in France for Bordeaux Sevens after a full week of preparation.

Vuda waste-to-energy fight: Fiji’s Department of Environment has rejected the Environmental Impact Assessment for The Next Generation Holdings’ (TNG) proposed energy-from-waste plant and private port at Vuda Point, citing unresolved issues on scale, imported waste, hazardous ash, water supply, public health, and knock-on effects for roads, tourism, culture and the economy. Appeal deadline: TNG has until July 3 to appeal the decision to the Environmental Tribunal, with the matter potentially going to the High Court. Ocean youth push: International School Suva’s Veivueti Kids Ocean Conference has expanded into a two-day national event, bringing students from 14 schools across Fiji together to strengthen ocean conservation action. Tourism networking win: Fiji hosted the South Pacific Tourism Exchange (SPTE 2026) at Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa, with Fiji Airways backing the regional gathering. Marriott leadership: John Douglas has been appointed Area General Manager, Pacific Islands, overseeing Marriott’s flagship Fiji properties and wider Pacific portfolio. Fiji on screen: Love Island USA’s Season 8 villa is again based in Fiji’s Mamanuca Islands, keeping the destination in the global spotlight.

Waste & Environment: Fiji has rejected an Australian billionaire’s “energy-from-waste” plan for Vuda Point, saying the Environmental Impact Assessment failed legal and technical standards over issues including imported waste, hazardous ash, public health risks, tourism impacts, and unresolved social and cultural concerns. Youth & Ocean Conservation: The Veivueti Kids Ocean Conference in Suva has expanded into a two-day national event, bringing students from 14 schools (ages 8–16) to strengthen ocean action and sustainable development. Air Connectivity: Fiji Airways will restart direct Nadi–Nouméa flights from 22 September 2026, twice weekly, adding 10,000+ seats annually to boost tourism, trade, and people-to-people links. Tourism Business & Events: Fiji hosted SPTE 2026 at Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa, highlighting the country’s ability to deliver major regional tourism gatherings. Hospitality Update: Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort Fiji has reopened after a multi-million-dollar renewal in Savusavu, with refreshed oceanfront bures and shared spaces. Food Feature: Nanuku Resort’s Fijian fish curry recipe spotlights local flavours like coconut sambal and tamarind chutney.

New Flights for Fiji Travelers: Fiji Airways will restart direct Nadi–Nouméa services from 22 September 2026, twice weekly (Tuesdays and Fridays) with Fiji Link ATR 72-600 aircraft—adding 10,000+ seats annually to boost tourism, trade and people-to-people links. Resort Reopens in Savusavu: Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort Fiji has reopened after a multi-million-dollar renewal, refreshing oceanfront bures and shared spaces while keeping the “barefoot luxury” and community feel guests love. Aviation Upgrade for Vanua Levu: Labasa Airport is set to get a remote tower AFIS system, with live flight monitoring beamed to the Nadi Operations Centre to improve safety and coordination. Tourism Industry Events: AHICE Fiji’s Investment in Tourism Conference returns June 9–11 with networking, site tours and sessions for owners, investors and operators. Fiji in Pop Culture: “Survivor 50” is reported to have been filmed across Fiji’s Mamanuca Islands, keeping the archipelago front and centre for global audiences. Local Travel Safety Watch: Biosecurity in New Zealand confirmed a scorpion found in an Auckland bathroom was likely of Fijian origin, linked to recent travel.

Pacific Air Access: Fiji Airways will restart direct Nadi–Nouméa flights from 22 September 2026, running twice weekly (Tues/Fri) with Fiji Link ATR 72-600 aircraft, adding 10,000+ seats a year to boost tourism, trade and people-to-people links. Resort Update: Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort Fiji has reopened after a multi-million-dollar renewal in Savusavu, refreshing oceanfront bures and shared spaces while keeping the resort’s “barefoot luxury” feel. Tourism Investment Event: AHICE Fiji’s 3-day Investment in Tourism Conference returns June 9–11 in Nadi, with networking, site tours and industry sessions for owners, investors and operators. Aviation Upgrade for Vanua Levu: Labasa Airport is set to get a Pacific-first remote tower/AFIS system, sending live operations info to Nadi to improve safety and coordination for flights serving the North. Policy Watch (Commuting): A parliamentary committee says Fiji’s flexible work pilot should be closely evaluated before any wider rollout, with the aim of easing traffic pressures on key routes like Nausori–Suva. Diplomacy & Travel Context: Israel opened its permanent embassy in Suva during FM Gideon Sa’ar’s visit, drawing criticism and political pushback alongside claims it will deepen bilateral cooperation.