Fiji Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.Anti-spam check. Do not fill this in! == Economy == {{Main|Economy of Fiji}} Endowed with forest, mineral, and fish resources, Fiji is one of the most developed of the Pacific island economies, though still with a large [[Subsistence economy|subsistence sector]]. Some progress was experienced by this sector when [[Marion M. Ganey]] introduced credit unions to the islands in the 1950s. Natural resources include timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil, and hydropower. Fiji experienced a period of rapid growth in the 1960s and 1970s but stagnated in the 1980s. The coups of 1987 caused further contraction.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Narayan|first1=Paresh|last2=Prasad|first2=Biman|title=The long-run impact of coups on Fiji's economy: evidence from a computable general equilibrium model|date=30 May 2006|journal=Journal of International Development|volume=19|issue=2|pages=149β160|doi=10.1002/jid.1296}}</ref> Economic liberalisation in the years following the coups created a boom in the garment industry and a steady growth rate despite growing uncertainty regarding land tenure in the sugar industry. The expiration of leases for sugar cane farmers (along with reduced farm and factory efficiency) has led to a decline in sugar production despite subsidies for sugar provided by the EU. Fiji's gold mining industry is based in [[Vatukoula]]. Urbanisation and expansion in the service sector have contributed to recent GDP growth. Sugar exports and a rapidly growing tourist industry β with tourists numbering 430,800 in 2003<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080726122800/http://www.asiarooms.com/travel-guide/fiji/fiji-overview/fiji-economy-and-politics.html|url=http://www.asiarooms.com/travel-guide/fiji/fiji-overview/fiji-economy-and-politics.html|title=Fiji Economy and Politics|url-status=usurped|archive-date=26 July 2008}}</ref> and increasing in the subsequent years β are the major sources of foreign exchange. Fiji is highly dependent on tourism for revenue. Sugar processing makes up one-third of industrial activity. Long-term problems include low investment and uncertain property rights. [[File:Suva, Fiji 01.jpg|thumb|left|Suva, capital and commercial centre of Fiji]] The [[South Pacific Stock Exchange]] (SPSE) is the only licensed securities exchange in Fiji and is based in Suva. Its vision is to become a regional exchange.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spse.com.fj/About-SPSE/Mission-Vison-Values.aspx|title=South Pacific Stock Exchange|website=South Pacific Stock Exchange|access-date=5 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180531202617/http://www.spse.com.fj/About-SPSE/Mission-Vison-Values.aspx|archive-date=31 May 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> === Tourism === [[File:Shangri-La Fijian Resort 15.jpg|thumb|Fijian luxury resort]] [[File:Mamanuca island.jpg|thumb|An island in the [[Mamanuca Islands]] group]] [[File:Momi Bay, Fiji.jpg|thumb|View of the over water bures located at Marriott Momi Bay, Western Fiji]] Fiji has a significant amount of tourism with the popular regions being [[Nadi]], the [[Coral Coast, Fiji|Coral Coast]], [[Denarau Island]], and [[Mamanuca Islands]]. The biggest sources of international visitors by country are Australia, New Zealand and the United States.<ref name="visitors"/> Fiji has a significant number of soft [[coral reef]]s, and [[scuba diving]] is a common tourist activity.<ref name="lonelyplanet">[http://www.lonelyplanet.com/fiji Fiji Travel Information and Travel Guide] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100430020222/http://www.lonelyplanet.com/fiji |date=30 April 2010 }}. ''[http://www.lonelyplanet.com/ Lonely Planet] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990224000651/http://www.lonelyplanet.com/ |date=24 February 1999 }}''. Retrieved April 2010.</ref> Fiji's main attractions to tourists are primarily white sandy beaches and aesthetically pleasing islands with all-year tropical weather. In general, Fiji is a mid-range priced holiday/vacation destination with most of the accommodations in this range. It also has a variety of world-class five-star resorts and hotels. More budget [[resort]]s are being opened in remote areas, which will provide more tourism opportunities.<ref name="lonelyplanet" /> [[CNN]] named Fiji's Laucala Island Resort as one of the fifteen world's most beautiful island hotels.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/27/hotels/most-beautiful-island-hotels/index.html|title=The world's most beautiful island hotels|first=Krisanne|last=Fordham|website=cnn.com|publisher=Cable News Network|date=28 March 2017|access-date=30 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330001914/http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/27/hotels/most-beautiful-island-hotels/index.html|archive-date=30 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Official statistics show that in 2012, 75% of visitors stated that they came for a holiday/vacation.<ref>[http://www.statsfiji.gov.fj/ Fiji Bureau of Statistics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429172734/http://www.statsfiji.gov.fj/ |date=29 April 2011 }}. Statsfiji.gov.fj. Retrieved 18 July 2013.</ref> Honeymoons are very popular as are romantic getaways in general. There are also family-friendly resorts with facilities for young children including kids' clubs and nanny options.<ref name="HowardFlightCenter2016">{{cite web|last1=Howard|first1=Anna|title=FIJI'S BEST KIDS' CLUBS|url=http://www.flightcentre.com.au/travel-news/destinations/fijis-best-kids-clubs/|website=Flight Center|access-date=13 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151013011917/http://www.flightcentre.com.au/travel-news/destinations/fijis-best-kids-clubs|archive-date=13 October 2015|date=16 June 2015}}</ref> Fiji has several popular tourism destinations. The Botanical Gardens of Thursten in [[Suva]], Sigatoka Sand Dunes, and Colo-I-Suva Forest Park are three options on the mainland (Viti Levu).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g294334-Viti_Levu-Vacations.html|title=Viti Levu 2018: Best of Viti Levu Tourism β TripAdvisor|website=www.tripadvisor.com|access-date=1 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202012523/https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g294334-Viti_Levu-Vacations.html|archive-date=2 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> A major attraction on the outer islands is scuba diving.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://spy.nzherald.co.nz/on-trend/five-of-the-best-things-to-do-in-fijis-mamanuca-islands/ |title=Five of the best things to do in Fiji's Mamanuca Islands |publisher=Spy.nzherald.co.nz |date=17 July 2016 |access-date=3 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170418163625/http://spy.nzherald.co.nz/on-trend/five-of-the-best-things-to-do-in-fijis-mamanuca-islands/ |archive-date=18 April 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> According to the Fiji Bureau of Statistics, most visitors arriving to Fiji on a short-term basis are from the following countries or regions of residence:<ref>{{Cite web|title=PROVISIONAL VISITOR ARRIVALS β June 2020 β Fiji Bureau of Statistics|url=https://www.statsfiji.gov.fj/index.php/latest-releases/tourism-and-migration/visitor-arrivals/1081-provisional-visitor-arrivals-june-2020|access-date=21 August 2020|website=www.statsfiji.gov.fj}}</ref><ref name="visitors">{{cite web|url=https://www.statsfiji.gov.fj/index.php/latest-releases/tourism-and-migration/visitor-arrivals/917-provisional-visitor-arrivals-va-2018|title=PROVISIONAL VISITOR ARRIVALS β 2018 β Fiji Bureau of Statistics|last=Amitesh|website=www.statsfiji.gov.fj|access-date=6 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806200835/https://www.statsfiji.gov.fj/index.php/latest-releases/tourism-and-migration/visitor-arrivals/917-provisional-visitor-arrivals-va-2018|archive-date=6 August 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.statsfiji.gov.fj/latest-releases/tourism-and-migration/visitor-arrivals/793-provisional-visitor-arrivals-2017|title=PROVISIONAL VISITOR ARRIVALS β 2017 β Fiji Bureau of Statistics|last=Amitesh|website=www.statsfiji.gov.fj|access-date=18 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922122153/https://www.statsfiji.gov.fj/latest-releases/tourism-and-migration/visitor-arrivals/793-provisional-visitor-arrivals-2017|archive-date=22 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> {| class="wikitable sortable" |- style=color:white ! style=background:#0072C6| Country ! style=background:#0072C6| 2019 ! style=background:#0072C6| 2018 ! style=background:#0072C6| 2017 ! style=background:#0072C6| 2016 ! style=background:#0072C6| 2015 |- | {{flag|Australia}} | 367,020 | 365,660 || 365,689 || 360,370 || 367,273 |- | {{flag|New Zealand}} | 205,998 | 198,718 || 184,595 || 163,836 || 138,537 |- | {{flag|United States}} | 96,968 | 86,075 || 81,198 || 69,628 || 67,831 |- | {{flag|China}} | 47,027 | 49,271 || 48,796 || 49,083 || 40,174 |- | {{flag|United Kingdom}} | 16,856 | 16,297 || 16,925 || 16,712 || 16,716 |- | {{flag|Canada}} | 13,269 | 13,220 || 12,421 || 11,780 || 11,709 |- | {{flag|Japan}} | 14,868 | 11,903 || 6,350 || 6,274 || 6,092 |- | {{flag|South Korea}} | 6,806 | 8,176 || 8,871 || 8,071 || 6,700 |- | Total | 894,389 | 870,309 || 842,884 || 792,320 || 754,835 |} Fiji has also served as a location for various Hollywood movies starting from the ''[[Mr. Robinson Crusoe|Mr Robinson Crusoe]]'' in 1932 to ''[[The Blue Lagoon (1980 film)|The Blue Lagoon]]'' (1980) starring [[Brooke Shields]] and ''[[Return to the Blue Lagoon]]'' (1991) with [[Milla Jovovich]]. Other popular movies shot in Fiji include ''[[Cast Away]]'' (2000) and ''[[Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid]]'' (2004).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fiji.travel/us/fiji-in-the-movies|title=Fiji in the Movies|website=Tourism Fiji|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190507001608/https://www.fiji.travel/us/fiji-in-the-movies|archive-date=7 May 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> The U.S. version of the [[reality television]] show ''[[Survivor (American TV series)|Survivor]]'' has filmed all of its semiannual seasons in the Mamanuca Islands since its [[Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X|33rd season]] in 2016. Typically, two 39-day competitions will be filmed back to back, with the first season airing in the fall of that year, and the second airing in the spring of the following year. This marks the longest consecutive period that ''Survivor'' has filmed in one location. Before the airing of the 35th season (''[[Survivor: Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers]])'', host [[Jeff Probst]] said in an interview with ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' that the Mamanucas are the optimal location for the show and he would like to stay there permanently.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/tv/2017/09/12/survivor-jeff-probst-fiji//|title=Jeff Probst wants Survivor to stay in Fiji permanently|access-date=6 October 2018|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=12 September 2017|last=Ross|first=Dalton|archive-date=6 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181006235332/https://ew.com/tv/2017/09/12/survivor-jeff-probst-fiji//|url-status=dead}}</ref> === Transport === {{Main|Transport in Fiji}} [[File:Nadi airport - Arrivals 2.jpg|thumb|Nadi airport β arrivals]] [[File:Yasawa Flyer Ferry.jpg|thumb|The ''Yasawa Flyer'' ferry connects Port Denarau near [[Nadi]] with the [[Yasawa Islands]].]] Airports Fiji Limited (AFL) is responsible for the operation of 15 public airports in the Fiji Islands. These include two international airports: Nadi international Airport, Fiji's main international gateway, and Nausori Airport, Fiji's domestic hub, and 13 outer island airports. Fiji's main airline is [[Fiji Airways]].<ref>{{cite news | title=Air Pacific reverts to original Fiji Airways name | url=http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/air-pacific-reverts-original-fiji-airways-name-wb-118735 | work=[[National Business Review]] | first=Nevil | last=Gibson | date=14 May 2012 | access-date=14 May 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120517023006/http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/air-pacific-reverts-original-fiji-airways-name-wb-118735 | archive-date=17 May 2012 | url-status=live }}</ref> [[File:Inter-island vessel.jpg|thumb|An inter-island vessel sails past one of the islands in the east of Fiji]] The [[Nadi International Airport]] is located {{convert|9|km}} north of central Nadi and is the largest Fijian hub.<ref>[http://www.airportsfiji.com/ Airports Fiji Limited] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100417225546/http://airportsfiji.com/ |date=17 April 2010 }}. Retrieved April 2010.</ref> [[Nausori International Airport]] is about {{convert|23|km}} northeast of downtown Suva and serves mostly domestic traffic with flights from Australia and New Zealand. The main airport in the second largest island of Vanua Levu is [[Labasa Airport]]<ref>[http://www.airportsfiji.com/outer_islands.php Airports Fiji Limited β Outer Islands] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106020715/http://airportsfiji.com/outer_islands.php |date=6 November 2012 }}. Airportsfiji.com. Retrieved 5 May 2013.</ref> located at Waiqele, southwest of Labasa Town. The largest aircraft handled by Labasa Airport is the [[ATR 72]]. Fiji's larger islands have extensive bus routes that are affordable and consistent in service.<ref name="lonelyplanet" /> There are bus stops, and in rural areas buses are often simply hailed as they approach.<ref name="lonelyplanet" /> Buses are the principal form of public transport<ref>[http://www.ltafiji.com/public.php Land Transport Authority β "Steering Fiji Safely"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019000159/http://www.ltafiji.com/public.php |date=19 October 2012 }}. Ltafiji.com. Retrieved 5 May 2013.</ref> and passenger movement between the towns on the main islands. Buses also serve on inter-island ferries. Bus fares and routes are regulated by the Land Transport Authority (LTA). Bus and taxi drivers hold Public Service Licenses issued by the LTA. Taxis are licensed by the LTA and operate widely all over the country. Apart from urban, town-based taxis, there are others that are licensed to serve rural or semi-rural areas. Inter-island ferries provide services between Fiji's principal islands, and large vessels operate roll-on-roll-off services such as [[Patterson Brothers Shipping Company LTD]], transporting vehicles and large amounts of cargo between the main island of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, and other smaller islands.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fiji.travel/us/information/transport|title=Transport|website=Tourism Fiji|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203191339/http://www.fiji.travel/us/information/transport|archive-date=3 February 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. If you do not want your writing to be edited mercilessly, then do not submit it here. You are also promising us that you wrote this yourself, or copied it from a public domain or similar free resource (see Christianpedia:Copyrights for details). Do not submit copyrighted work without permission! 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