Since the military coups of 1987 ousted a perceived Indo-Fijian sympathetic government, a new constitution was been put in place guaranteeing the Fijians control of their government, with members of Parliament divided in terms of race and not simply political party affiliations. The coups had detrimental effects on the economy as foreign support was withdrawn by major supporters such as New Zealand, Australia and Britain.

The US also pulled back and advised American businessmen to stay clear of Fiji as it was considered an unstable foreign investment. In an effort to make Fiji more attractive and to compensate for the lack of confidence in future investments in Fiji, the Fijian government took measures that effectively devalued their currency to 70 percent of its original value. Although the immediate effects on the local economy appeared disastrous, food prices skyrocketed, foreign loans on electricity were now astronomical, cost of imported goods went up, the interim government worked hard to grapple with these and other challenges as they tried to set forth on a steady road towards economic growth and political stability.

In the last two years, efforts were underway to adopt a revised constitution that adjust the balance of government and the way in which people of various races are represented. After a new constitution was accepted, Fiji was formally accepted back into the British Commonwealth in September 1997. But new difficulties lay ahead with the impact of the Asian economic crisis on Pacific economies. Fiji recently devalued its dollar in January 1998 by 20 percent for the first time since just after the coups of 1987. It¹s impact has yet to be determined but initial affects are seen in its inability to attract foreign workers and the costs of fuel and other imported products increasing. Though there has been a decline in tourism due to the difficulties with Asian economies, those tourists travelling with US dollars can now see an exchange rate of as much as $2FJ to $1US.

Since 1987 and until the recent economic difficulties in Asia, the Tourism industry has had steady growth with an increasing number of visitors to Fiji from North America, Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Japan, and Germany, linked by direct flights from three major airlines, Qantas, Air New Zealand, and Air Pacific, Fiji¹s own flagship airline. Each year hundreds upon thousands of tourists find their way to the Paradise sold to them in the brochures. Of sparkling white sandy beaches, verdant rainforests, underwater rainbows, the mystery of the Fijian smile. And to those who stay at the resorts, this is much of what they experience.

But what lies beyond the crystal clear waters, the pristine reefs, and the friendly smiles of the Fijian people? Demanding more than just a postcard vacation, visitors to Fiji expect to experience more of the mysterious Fijian culture, and to bring some of their experiences home with them, souvenirs of cultural value, a little bit of Fiji.