Tourist arrivals have increased dramatically in the Mamanuca Group within the last three months, and it is a big boost to the industry.

Malolo Island Resort general manager Nasoni Tamani said that occupancy rates in the hotel rooms have increased from 30% to 100%.

He said this is evident in more than 13 hotels and resorts in the Mamanuca Group, and it is a good sign, especially for the workers who have been trying to make ends meet in the past few months.

Tamani added that after the events of 2006, one of the major contributing factors to the increase in tourist arrivals is the 20% devaluation of the Fiji dollar.

Another factor is the "Word of Mouth" by tourists, a way in which tourists who return home tell their friends and families that Fiji is still a safe place to come to.

Tamani said that overseas and local media play an important role in the industry to attract more tourists and have been venturing into other attractive programs, such as the intercultural students exchange program.

More than 12 students with their parents from Newport in Sydney are on this program right now with the Malolo District School students.