Fiji Welcomes Private Island Vacation

As part of Phase 2 of the Fijian COVID Safe Economic Recovery Framework (Framework), on behalf of the Fijian Government, the COVID-19 Risk Mitigation Taskforce (CRMT) is pleased to announce the “Luxury Vacation in Paradise” initiative in partnership with Fiji Airways and the Fijian tourism industry.

Globally, services-driven countries are progressively shifting its focus away from mass tourism to more niche, high-spending travellers – who are suggested to be the first to travel. Therefore, in an effort to build on the success of current initiatives, such as the “Blue Lane”, and based on strong interest from industry, the CRMT and Fiji Airways, in close consultation with border agencies, and industry, has embarked on the “Luxury Vacation in Paradise”.

The overarching approach of “Luxury Vacation in Paradise” is to allow tourists to safely enter and holiday in Fiji – with the quarantine period being part of the Fijian holiday experience. This is an extension of the provisions for “Vacation in Paradise (VIP) Lane” under the Framework.

The VIP Lane refers to an end-to-end safe travel pathway where safe travel begins from the point of origin, includes port of departure and mode of travel to port of arrival and transfer to a designated private resort. Movement is organised and/or contained within the lane and the return journey to point of origin follows the same pathway. Throughout this pathway, there is minimal contact with the local Fijian population following clear guidelines for quarantine and testing for those, who will be coming in contact with them.

The success of the recent 2-hour Fiji Airways flight, on board the Airbus A350, reaffirms the Fiji Airways Travel Ready program, and the state of readiness of Fiji’s national airline to welcome visitors back. The Travel Ready program, coupled with the Care Fiji Commitment program, will both add a layer of preparedness and confidence as the Luxury VIP initiative progresses.

Notwithstanding mandatory negative COVID-19 testing, travellers will need to undergo strict pre-departure and on-arrival health and hygiene protocols, including installing the careFIJI mobile application and keeping device Bluetooth turned on.

Under the Luxury VIP, approved private island resorts are geographically secluded from main land and the larger local population.

Notably, the CRMT, to date has approved 95 yachts under the Blue Lane, 61 applications under the Special Requests with Significant Economic Value, and 15 clubs to open as Taverns.

For more information on the Luxury VIP, contact the CRMT Secretariat on crmt@govnet.gov.fj

About CRMT

The COVID-19 Risk Mitigation Taskforce is a Cabinet-mandated working group consisting of the Permanent Secretaries for Economy (Chair), Health and Medical Services and Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport. The Secretariat support is provided by the Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport, Border Health Protection, Incident Management Team, and Republic of Fiji Military Forces Surveillance team.

(Source: MCTTT)