Fiji's Vomo Island resort says travel bubble with New Zealand makes 'perfect sense'

The team behind one of Fiji's most luxurious resorts says the country needs foreign tourists to return as soon as possible.

Vomo Island's Karen Marvell says a Pacific travel bubble makes "perfect sense" as it would allow not only her business, but businesses across Fiji to welcome back visitors from New Zealand.

"I'm sure with winter arriving and coming out of COVID-19 lockdown that New Zealanders would welcome a dose of sunshine, tepid sea water and fantastic Fijian hospitality," Marvell told Newshub.

Visitors from Aotearoa are the second largest contributors to the Fijian travel industry, with 205,998 Kiwis visiting the country in 2019. Australia is the largest contributor with 367,020 visitors while the US is the third largest, with 96,968 visitors to Fiji last year.    

"Fiji thankfully hasn't had any COVID-19 deaths and not just Vomo but the whole country is ready to welcome overseas guests back," Marvell said.  

Tourism makes up 40 percent of Fiji's national economy.

While New Zealanders haven't been allowed to holiday in the country during the pandemic, there has still been some movement between the two countries. Both Fiji Airways and Air New Zealand have been operating repatriation flights between Auckland and Nadi.

On arrival in Fiji, passengers have been required to enter a government-designated quarantine facility for 14 days, followed by a further 14 days home isolation.

Kiwis returning home from Fiji are tested for COVID-19 and are then put into managed quarantine or isolation for 14 days.