CDC adds 16 very high-risk destinations for covid-19 0:56
(CNN) -
Fiji will be ready to welcome tourists again by the end of 2021.
Initially, the island nation planned to reopen its borders to tourists in December, but that date could be brought forward while the vaccination program continues. country.
Brent Hill, CEO of Tourism Fiji, the country's national tourism body, told CNN that any reopening date may still change.
He flew to Tonga for a weekend.
18 months later, she's still stuck there
Hill said travelers authorized to enter the country will have to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, will have to provide a negative PCR test and come from a "green list" nation, although the green list criteria they have not yet been detailed.
However, in a speech delivered on September 3, the Minister of Commerce, Commerce, Tourism and Transport, Faiyaz Koya, announced:
"We are working collectively for the reopening in November."
He added: "With safe behaviors to mitigate covid, we will reduce the transmission of our community and give confidence that Fiji is a safe vacation destination and will not be a source of cases in their respective countries. I am sure that with all our efforts collectively we will achieve the desired results and create a safe environment to receive tourists. "
advertising
The country's national airline will play an important role in the reopening process.
"Fiji Airways has been committed to offering a strong program from the start. They have committed to opening up several of the destinations they were flying to and providing capacity," Hill confirmed.
He also announced that they will promote offers of flights and tourist complexes on the occasion of the reopening of the country.
Travel to Guatemala: the breathtaking views of volcanic tourism from the lens of this Guatemalan photographer
About 40% of Fiji's gross national product (GNP) comes from the tourism sector.
Last summer, Prime Minister Josaia "Frank" Voreqe Bainimarama openly said that he was courting billionaires who wanted to visit Fiji during the pandemic.
Despite the fact that the country was closed to foreign travelers, a group of about 30 people with high purchasing power was able to spend three months in the country as part of a special agreement with the government.
The news of the reopening was greeted with joy by the Fijian tourism community, which has been hit hard during the pandemic.
"We are delighted that before the end of the year we can once again share with the world the 'bull' (life) spirit of Fiji," he told CNN.
Christopher Southwick, owner of the Royal Davui Island Resort.
"We anticipate a strong opening for those looking to celebrate the holidays under a palm tree."
For the reopening to be a success, businesses, locals and visitors will have to follow the guidelines set by the country's CareFiji plan.
21 places to travel in 2021 or when it is safe to do so
Travelers should download the CareFiji app on their phones before arriving in the country.
They will be able to use the application to reserve hotels and resorts that comply with the program.
CNN data showed that, as of September 14, 33% of Fijians had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
However, the prime minister said on Twitter that half of the country's eligible adults have had both doses of the vaccine, while the official Fiji government Twitter account said 97.2 percent of " target population "had received at least one dose.
According to Tourism Fiji, the discrepancy has to do with the ages of those vaccinated.
About a quarter of the country is under the age of 18, and Fiji does not yet have vaccines specifically targeting children.
Therefore, "target population" is a term they use to refer to eligible adults.
Fiji
