Fiji is going against the grain. As several countries once again close down due to concerns about the new variant of the coronavirus, the island nation is opening up to tourists.

When Fiji Airways flight FJ914 reached the runway at Nadi Airport on Wednesday, it marked the end of a 615-day isolation for the Pacific nation.

Two fire engines sprayed water to welcome the flight from Sydney, and in the terminal the tourists were greeted with singing and dancing and the greeting "bula!".

Tourism accounts for 40 percent of Fiji's income, so the country has had 20 tough months behind it.

The Omicron is slurping away at the cup of joy, but the booking books are well-filled.

“We have about 75,000 bookings for the coming months, which is extraordinary,” says Brent Hill, CEO of the country's tourism board.

To be a tourist in Fiji, you must be fully vaccinated, have tested negative before departure, and provide a 14-day travel history to ensure you have not been in any so-called hotspot for Covid-19. Once in Fiji, tourists must be in special zones where all employees are also fully vaccinated. Source:TT-AFP