SUVA, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- There was a huge increase in tourism arrivals in Fiji for the month of July this year as the number exceeded the 95,000 mark.

The Fiji Bureau of Statistics said the 95,061 visitor arrival number sets a new record, up 5.5 percent from the previous record of 90,108 for the same period last year.

Fiji Broadcasting Corporation news website reported on Monday that this new record saw an increase in visitors from New Zealand, Japan, Australia, Canada, China and South Korea.

Seventy-six percent visited Fiji for holiday purposes.

Meanwhile, there was a decrease in the number of visitors from the United States, Pacific Islands and Britain.

In July the Fijian government pledged to raise its tourism standards to increase visitor arrivals and foreign exchange earnings.

While delivering opening address at the new Rosie Holidays Event in Fiji's third largest city of Nadi, Fijian President Jioji Konrote said 47 percent of the Fijian government's allocation of 99.3 million Fijian dollars (about 47.2 million U.S. dollars) announced in the 2018-2019 National Budget for the ministry of industry, trade and tourism, was allocated to tourism to foster sustainable development.

The Tourism Fiji Marketing Grant continues global branding initiatives in target markets to ensure that Fiji remains a top tourism destination and maintains its growth in the tourism sector.

Fiji's hosting of international sporting events like the Super Rugby Games and the Fiji International Golf Tournament leveraged Fiji's image as a sport tourism destination and the broadcast of these international events to viewers across the world showcased Fiji's profile as a premium sporting destination.