Fiji has raised its departure tax for visitors from F$30 to F$40 (about AU$22.70 to AU$30.30), effective May 1, 2007.

The increase would help cover increased security costs, the Fiji Consulate in Sydney said on May 2.

Visitors to Fiji last year totalled 545,168, with 197,742 from Australia and 108,347 from Zealand.

Numbers fell late in 2006 and early this year following a military coup in December; they have risen again in recent weeks.