Fiji has long been a favoured Kiwi destination, offering balmy climates and tropical vibes but in 2024 our love for the islands hit record heights.

Almost 226,000 Kiwis visited Fiji in 2024, making it the most popular year, up 2.2% from 2023. This wasn’t the only record broken; while Fiji had a target of 966,930 visitors, it received more than one million, making it the country’s biggest year in tourism.

Most (982,938) arrived by air and almost 82,000 arrived via cruise ships, Tourism Fiji stated, adding that the cruise industry’s success was “especially notable” in 2024 and created “immense economic value” by supporting local communities and businesses.

Yasawa Islands and reefs in Fiji. Photo / Tourism Fiji

Viliame Gavoka, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation said the strong visitor numbers were due to industry collaboration, increased airline capacity, and high-quality hospitality offerings.

“From the expansion of routes by our airline partners like Fiji Airways to the exceptional hospitality provided by our tourism businesses, and the continued strategic promotion by Tourism Fiji, these milestones are the result of a united effort,” he said.

Expedia Group said room night bookings had increased 3% in 2024 compared to the previous year, while Kiwi travel agency Our Pacific saw a record 20% increase in Fiji sales compared to 2023.

Kiwis weren’t the only ones enjoying Fiji. Lonely Planet named it on its list of places to visit in 2025, while it was ranked the top South Pacific island in Conde Nast Traveller’s 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards.

Tourism Fiji chief executive Brent Hill said it was important to not just focus on quantity but quality in order to remain sustainable.

“We are also focused on ensuring that this growth remains sustainable,” he said, adding it was a priority to attract “high-yield tourists”.

From June 2023 to 2024, Australia was the most popular destination for Kiwi travellers according to Stats NZ, with almost 1.2 million visitors. Fiji was second with 207,400 visitors, while the United States, China and the United Kingdom rounded out the top five destinations.

For Kiwis heading to Fiji, check out the best place to stay in Fiji with kids, why Suva’s tropical forest is a bucket-list experience or a little-known island that is better than Bali.