Turtle Island, a privately-owned luxury island in the heart of Fiji’s Yasawa archipelago, is celebrating its one-year anniversary of welcoming back international guests since the pandemic.
The 500-acre island, purchased in the ‘70s by the late Richard Evanson (Snr), an American entrepreneur and eco-visionary, rose to fame as the location for the Blue Lagoon movie and was recently recognised in the Conde Nast Traveler 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards as the top resort in Fiji.
Since Fiji reopened on 1 December 2021 – after almost two years of closure to international travel – Turtle Island has seen a very encouraging 24% increase in Australian travellers – well ahead of the national average of Australian travellers to Fiji – compared to 2019, before the pandemic hit.
The Island has also logged a record interest in return travellers with 55% of guests booking their next visit before departing the island.
The 14-bure luxury island resort has welcomed back nearly 500 couples this year including returning and new guests and over 100 family groups – testament to the high demand for international travel as soon as restrictions were lifted.
Nearly half of those visitors were celebrating milestone events such as anniversaries, honeymoons and birthdays after many special occasions were cancelled or simply put on hold during the pandemic.
In addition to visitors from Australia and New Zealand, the majority of guests who have returned to Turtle Island in the past year have been North American travellers, according to Racheli Evanson, Marketing Director, Turtle Island.
“We’ve had the busiest 12 months since travel restrictions were lifted, which just shows how much Turtle Island is loved by our returning guests and new guests who have visited us for the first time this year,” said Racheli Evanson.
“When we announced that we were re-opening last year, we were flooded with enquiries and bookings from Australia, and taken by surprise at just how much pent-up demand the pandemic had caused. Fiji was seen as providing a great option as it was a short flight, close to home and the country did a great job in promoting the “Fiji Care Commitment” to provide confidence for visitors.
“Although Fiji is a long-haul flight, we were also delighted by the return of our guests from North America with Turtle Island seen as providing a serene, secluded option with a limited number of guests.”
“And the great news is that 2023 is looking even stronger,” continued Evanson. “Our Family time at Easter is booked out and our school holiday period in June/July is already showing 90% occupancy. We have actually added an extra family time period again next year to cater to the demand. There are still bookings available for “adult time” throughout the remainder of the year but we are already sitting at an average 60% occupancy,” she concluded.
Along with 14 refurbished light-filled bures, new activities such as archery and fly fishing and food and beverage advances introduced during lockdown – including the expansion of the organic island garden and the establishment of a farm, have generated exceptional guest feedback.
Turtle Island is open all year-round for couples and three times a year ‘welcomes home’ families with Family Time.
To find out more about Turtle Island or to make a booking visit https://www.turtlefiji.com/
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