Fiji’s visa-free policy and the increase in direct flights from China have significantly boosted its appeal, leading to a surge in Chinese visitors and a vibrant tourism boom.
According to data from the Fiji Tourism Bureau, as of the first quarter of 2024, the number of visitors to Fiji has increased eleven percent compared to the same period in 2023 – of which 77 percent are tourists. Australia, New Zealand and China remain its main tourist source countries.
"Fiji has good air quality, mesmerizing coral reefs and activities like sea fishing and underwater diving. These are what attract me the most," said Xu Yuhan, a Chinese tourist.
Currently, the island nation is experiencing an increase in visitors due to favorable policies that have attracted the attention of Chinese travelers.
"Fiji was among the first destinations when China resumed outbound group tours in 2023. With the increase in direct flights between China and Fiji, the number of Chinese tourists in Fiji and other Pacific Island nations has doubled in 2024, so far," said Liu Jie, assistant to the president of tour company CYTS Aoyou Technology Development.
Liu said the relaxation of visa policies has also unleashed the potential of Chinese tourism.
"Fiji’s visa-free policy allows Chinese visitors to start a trip at any time. With its unique culture and well-equipped hotels, Fiji is a destination for high-end tourism," she added.
Fiji’s visa-free policy attracts Chinese tourists, sparking to tourism boom
Switzerland, known for its pristine lakes and rich tradition of fishing, is facing a significant challenge of plunging fish stocks that could threaten the livelihood of many in the fisheries industry.
In recent years, local fishermen have seen their catches decline drastically, with about 90 percent of the fish consumed in the country now being imported. This shift reflects broader environmental changes impacting Swiss fisheries, and the difficulties local fishermen are enduring are becoming more evident each year.
At seven in the morning, as the first light of dawn begins to break, a handful of fishermen at a dock in Geneva prepare to head out to the lake to check the nets they set the previous day. As the long nets were hauled from the water, the catch of perch was relatively small, but the fishermen were still satisfied, especially since they managed to net two large pike, which would fetch a good price.
Francois Liani, a fisherman of 30 years, said 2024 has been the worst year for fishing with the lowest amount of catch.
"I have never seen anything like this in over 30 years. That's right, 2024 is the worst year in the past 30 years," he said.
Fifty years ago, there were more than 800 professional fishermen in Switzerland. Today, that number has dropped to fewer than 90.
"There are many reasons, but one of the most important reasons is global warming -- it is one of the biggest problems. We have also new mussels that come from the Black Sea on the Eastern Europe that came about five, seven years ago. They have a large impact on the food availability for the fishes," said Maxime Prevedello, communication officer for the French-speaking region of the Swiss Fishing Federation (SFV).
As a result, the growth rate of fish has slowed significantly. In 2012, 2013, and 2014, a professional fisherman was able to catch around 1,000 tons of fish annually. Today, that number has dropped to just around 100 tons -- a mere one-tenth of what it used to be, according to Prevedello.
In the summer of 2024, Switzerland once again endured high temperatures. Native fish species such as perch, grayling, and the Alpine char, which have adapted to cold water, have been particularly affected. According to Switzerland's environmental authorities, 58 percent of the country's native fish species are now classified as endangered.
Swiss fishermen face growing struggle as local fish stocks plunge
