The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) has welcomed confirmation from the Fijian Government that its new 5% Tourism Services Tax will apply only to bookings made on or after 1 September 2026, exempting bookings made before that date even where the travel itself takes place later.
- Bookings made before 1 September 2026 will not attract the new tax, regardless of when the travel takes place.
- From 1 September, the tax will apply to new bookings for qualifying tourism services under Fiji’s Tourism Services Tax Act 2026.
- The decision directly addresses the retrospective application of the tax that ATIA raised on behalf of Australian travel agents and tour operators on 20 August.
- Australia is Fiji’s largest tourism market, and the outcome protects thousands of existing bookings held by Australian travellers and the businesses that sold them.
ATIA said commonsense had prevailed. ATIA is still working through the finer detail with the Fijian Government, particularly how the tax will apply to net rates, existing contracts and wholesale bookings, but today’s decision addresses the primary concern raised on behalf of members.
ATIA has worked alongside the Travel Agents’ Association of New Zealand (TAANZ) and Fiji Hotels and Tourism Association (FHTA) on raising concerns.
For bookings made from 1 September 2026, the TST will apply to qualifying tourism services and operators in accordance with Fiji’s Tourism Services Tax Act 2026. The tax is scheduled to operate until 31 August 2027.
Quotes attributed to ATIA CEO Dean Long
“This is a commonsense outcome, and the right one. Retrospective billing was never something the industry could accept, and today’s decision protects the thousands of Australian travellers who have already booked and paid for a Fiji holiday.”
“We thank the Fijian Government for listening to the concerns we raised on behalf of Australian travel agents and tour operators, and for working through this issue with industry rather than against it.”
“We are still working through the detail with the Fijian Government, including how the tax applies to net rates, existing contracts and wholesale bookings, but today’s decision addresses the core issue we raised. Fiji remains an important destination for Australian travellers, and we want to see it thrive under a tax system that works for everyone.”
“If you’re thinking of travelling to Fiji, your ATIA-accredited travel agent and tour operator will be able to advise you on how the new tax is likely to apply to bookings from 1 September 2026.”
““ATIA has worked closely with TAANZ and FHTA on this matter and the outcome reflects the dedicated approach each organisation brings to advocating on behalf of its members.”
