By Rula Samain
Anovia-Amman In a world shaped by shifting geopolitical currents, diplomacy, tourism, and cultural exchange remain powerful tools for building bridges between nations, and in a recent interview with Anovia, the Honorary Consul of Fiji in Jordan, Mousa Bajali, reflected on the evolving relationship between the two countries.
The interview began with a reflection on the broader regional context.
Acknowledging the geopolitical tensions surrounding Jordan, the consul emphasized the resilience of the Jordanian people and their confidence in the wisdom of the Hashemite leadership.
“Despite the regional turbulence that can sometimes create concern among citizens,” he noted, “Jordanians continue to rely on the prudence and experience of the Hashemite leadership in navigating the affairs of the state. Jordan’s institutions, including its armed forces, remain steadfast in protecting the Kingdom and ensuring stability.”
From regional realities, the conversation shifted toward the Pacific, specifically the island nation of the Republic of Fiji, a country many in the Middle East know little about despite its global appeal as a tourism destination.
Located in the Pacific Ocean between Australia and New Zealand, Fiji gained independence in 1970 and remains part of the Commonwealth, and historically, the islands developed as a center of British agricultural investment, particularly in sugar production. During the colonial era, workers from India were brought to the islands to support the sugar industry, shaping the country’s unique demographic composition.
“Today, Fiji’s society reflects a diverse social fabric composed primarily of indigenous Fijians, citizens of Indian origin, and communities with European and Australian heritage. Such diversity is also reflected in its religious landscape, where Christianity is the predominant faith, followed by Hinduism and Islam, “Bajali noted.
Geographically, the consul told Anovia, Fiji is an archipelago of 332 islands, known for pristine beaches, coral reefs, and abundant marine life, with natural beauty that has made it a favored holiday destination, particularly for Australians and British travelers.
“From a tourism perspective, Fiji is among the most beautiful destinations in the world,” the consul remarked, “yet in the Middle East, it remains relatively unknown, largely because of the distance. The journey can take more than twenty hours.”
The country’s tourism sector revolves primarily around eco-tourism, beach tourism, and adventure tourism, offering activities ranging from diving and marine exploration to a wide range of water sports.
Interestingly, recent global discussions on environmental resilience have also highlighted Fiji’s geographic remoteness and its location deep within the Pacific, factors that contribute to the islands’ relative isolation from many of the pressures affecting more densely connected regions of the world, he reflected.
Yet for the consul, the real focus lies not in remoteness but in opportunity, particularly the possibility of tourism cooperation between Fiji and Jordan.
While Fiji offers pristine coastal landscapes and island adventures, Jordan presents a completely different yet equally compelling tourism narrative.
“Jordan possesses a remarkably rich religious tourism landscape,” he explained.
“This region, the Levant, is the cradle of the Abrahamic religions. Christianity, Islam, and Judaism all have deep historical roots here. This gives Jordan an extraordinary spiritual and cultural significance that strengthens its tourism product.”
Jordan’s archaeological wealth further enhances this narrative. The Kingdom is often described by historians and archaeologists as an open-air museum, with layers of civilization still waiting to be uncovered, Bajali said.
“Jordan is essentially a vast garden of archaeological treasures buried beneath the earth,” he said, and continued, “excavating and developing these sites requires time, expertise, and significant financial resources. Some discoveries may not happen in our generation, but future archaeological work will undoubtedly reveal even more of Jordan’s historical depth.”
Within this context, he suggested that stronger institutional cooperation between the tourism sectors of the two countries could open new horizons.
Bajali called upon tourism authorities, investment institutions, and private sector stakeholders to explore partnerships with Fiji through bilateral agreements, tourism exchanges, and joint promotional initiatives.
Fiji’s economy offers a compelling case study in tourism-driven development. Approximately 35 percent of the country’s gross domestic product is linked directly to tourism, alongside traditional sectors such as sugar production, forestry, and fisheries.
However, the consul believes Fiji still needs to engage more actively with audiences in the Middle East.
“I believe Fiji’s government could benefit from increasing awareness of the country in the Middle East,” he said.
“Many people in this region simply do not know about the beauty and opportunities the islands offer.”
Beyond tourism, diplomacy remains a central pillar of Fiji–Jordan relations.
He said that diplomacy is the foundation of peaceful relations between nations.
“Without diplomacy, conflicts could escalate across many regions of the world. The role of ambassadors and diplomatic missions is to ease tensions and strengthen cooperation between peoples.”
Jordan currently hosts Fiji’s Honorary Consulate, rather than a full embassy, primarily due to financial considerations; however, the establishment of the consulate itself reflects a deeper relationship between the two countries.
According to the consul, Fiji formally requested the opening of the consulate with the encouragement of His Majesty King Abdullah II, whose support reflected the strong ties forged through international peacekeeping missions.
Jordanian and Fijian troops have served together in United Nations peacekeeping forces, particularly in the Golan Heights; the honorary consulate in Amman also provides services to Fijian soldiers stationed there along the ceasefire line between Syria and Israel, he said.
“There are many avenues through which we can expand cooperation between Jordan and Fiji, economically, politically, and in tourism.”
At the societal level, the two nations also share cultural similarities.
“The Fijian family is deeply connected, much like the Jordanian family,” he observed, and added that “even as people grow older and become grandparents, the bonds within the family remain strong.”
Hospitality is another shared trait.
“Jordanian culture is known for welcoming guests and honoring visitors. Fijians share a similar spirit of hospitality.”
Fiji also offers a favorable investment environment. According to the consul, establishing businesses on the islands does not necessarily require large capital investments.
“In many cases, investments can begin with relatively modest budgets. I know of entrepreneurs who started small businesses there and achieved remarkable success.”
At the same time, Fiji maintains strict policies regarding citizenship. Unlike some countries that offer passports through financial contributions alone, Fiji requires genuine investment and long-term engagement before considering citizenship applications.
Tourism flows between Jordan and Fiji remain modest but promising.
Although there are currently few Fijian residents in Jordan, Fijian peacekeeping personnel stationed in the Golan often visit Jordan for logistical support.
Meanwhile, a growing number of Jordanian travelers have begun exploring Fiji as a honeymoon destination.
“In recent months, we have issued visas to several Jordanian couples traveling for their honeymoon,” the consul noted with a smile, and added that “they returned extremely happy with their experience. For many of them, it became a journey of a lifetime.”
To promote the destination further, the consulate maintains an online platform that receives inquiries from travelers around the world.
Despite Fiji maintaining embassies in Cairo and Abu Dhabi, the honorary consulate in Jordan has become one of the most frequently contacted points of information in the region.
For the consul, the path forward is clear: stronger diplomatic engagement, tourism cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges can transform the vast geographic distance between Jordan and Fiji into an opportunity for partnership.
And as global tourism continues to evolve, such partnerships may become increasingly valuable, linking the Pacific’s turquoise horizons with the ancient landscapes of the Holy Land, he noted.
“In the end,” Bajali concluded, “what connects nations is not distance, but understanding, and diplomacy remains the bridge.”
