U.S. Lifts Fiji Travel Warning
The State Department has lifted its month-old travel warning against Fiji, but it still urges Americans to exercise caution when visiting the South Pacific island nation, a popular tourist destination.
In an Aug. 11 announcement, the department noted that the “new, military-backed government of Fiji has taken significant steps to restore order after the recent political crisis and associated civil unrest.” It said the U.S. Embassy is operating normally. But citing “sporadic incidents,” it said visiting Americans should “maintain a high level of caution and security awareness,” register with the embassy, monitor news reports and avoid the island of Vanua Levu.
The tourism industry has been hard hit by continuing unrest in Fiji since May, when rebel leader George Speight staged a coup and kept the prime minister and other legislators hostage in Parliament for weeks. In July, armed men briefly seized several resorts, prompting the State Department warning. Recently a new government was installed in Fiji.
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