I receive regular emails from travellers heading to New Zealand with planned stop overs in Fiji. These emails ask advice from the NZ perspective of the safety for tourist travelling to Fiji.
Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, reinstituted martial law last week. The new regulations gives his soldiers the right to kill without criminal sanction. In response many countries have increased there travel advisory warnings. But is it safe to ignore these warnings and travel to Fiji?
I think you need to analyse two things before making a decision as to the security issues facing travellers.
Firstly it could be argued that New Zealand and Australia uses these travel advisories as political leverage in its diplomatic tussle with Fiji. The Fijian Islands economy are heavily dependent on tourism and in particular from those travelling from Australia and NZ. Any travel warning issued from these governments has the potential to cause internal pressure on the Fijian administrators.
Secondly, are you travelling to the capital city of Suva? The purpose of martial law is mainly to control the areas around Suva. Travellers arriving at Nadi International airport and visiting outer island resorts or Denarau Island will likely be unaware of any activity associated with martial law.
I have travelled to Suva many times and feel that even without the introduction of martial law, it is not a desirable holiday destination city.
Both New Zealanders and Australians continue to ignore these travel warnings and flock to Fiji in ever increasing numbers.
Tags: Fiji Travel