Fiji recorded a decrease in the number of visitors for the month of April this year when compared to the same period last year.

Latest statistics released by the Bureau of Statistics showed that 39,385 tourists graced our shores in April, which is 3,000 less compared to April, 2008.

Significant decreases were recorded for visitors from New Zealand and the United Kingdom with a decline from Japan, South Korea, Canada, America and Pacific Islands.

However, the Bureau has reported an increase in the number of Australian tourists which totaled 18, 877 while the figure last year in April was 17,869.

Tourist figures from Continental Europe also increased.

Tourism Fiji is hopeful that tourist numbers will increase by the end of this year.