Fiji Tourism Exchange 2026 Opens, Bringing Together Over 500 Industry Partners

The Fiji Tourism Exchange (FTE) 2026 officially opened on March 27-28 at the Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort. As Fiji's largest annual tourism industry event, over 500 industry partners from around the world gathered for two days of business, networking, and trade opportunities.

Organized by Tourism Fiji, this exchange serves as a vital platform for building international partnerships, generating commercial outcomes, and showcasing the depth and diversity of Fiji's tourism industry.

This year's event saw the participation of 122 overseas travel industry partners and media from 16 countries, with 82 Fijian companies exhibiting. With over 3,300 pre-booked meetings scheduled, FTE 2026 is a dynamic venue enabling meaningful and active engagement between local operators and global travel industry partners.

At the opening ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Hon. Viliame Gavoka, emphasized the broad role of tourism in shaping Fiji's future. "Fiji tourism is not just about visitor numbers. It's about people, communities, and shared opportunities. FTE continues to demonstrate the strength of our industry by bringing together buyers and sellers from across the global travel industry and media to experience the diversity and authentic charm of our tourism offerings. As we pursue sustainable and inclusive growth, we will continue to focus on supporting local communities, expanding accessibility, and ensuring the benefits of tourism are felt across all of Fiji. Through initiatives that support local development and small businesses, we are building a robust tourism sector that creates lasting value for our people while providing meaningful experiences for our visitors."

Dr. Paresh Pant, Chief Executive Officer of Tourism Fiji, highlighted FTE's significance as the industry's primary sales platform. "Today, we reaffirm that Fiji's tourism industry has transitioned from a recovery phase post-COVID to a recalibration phase. FTE continues to be the premier platform for strengthening partnerships, creating genuine commercial opportunities, and aligning efforts towards disciplined growth. Looking ahead, we will focus on delivering value, deepening our distribution channels, and ensuring a more inclusive sharing of tourism benefits across our communities. By bringing together operators, travel industry partners, airlines, and stakeholders, FTE enables relationship building, deal finalization, and forms the bedrock for Fiji's continued success in an increasingly competitive global market."

At the opening ceremony, Dament Gaunder, Chairman of the Tourism Action Group (TAG), also spoke, reiterating the industry's readiness and commitment to collaboration in response to evolving global dynamics. "TAG stands united with government and industry partners to remain agile and responsive, especially as global uncertainties arise from ongoing conflicts in the Middle East," said Gaunder. "We are focused on maintaining traveler confidence, driving demand, and ensuring Fiji remains competitive through forward-looking planning. By working collaboratively, we can safeguard the economic contribution of our tourism industry and ensure its benefits continue to reach our communities. Fiji remains well-positioned and ready to connect with the world and welcome visitors."

FTE 2026 underscores the strength of collaboration between Fiji's tourism industry and its global partners, reinforcing a unified commitment to responsible growth and long-term resilience. As the travel industry continues to navigate a dynamic global landscape, Tourism Fiji leverages FTE as a strategic platform for engagement, maintaining agility through prioritized alignment, shared market insights, and close collaboration with travel industry partners. Through strengthening relationships and fostering collective action, FTE plays a pivotal role in shaping the next chapter of Fiji's tourism.