Fiji's national airline, Air Pacific has experienced double the sold passenger tickets in March on direct services between Hong Kong and Nadi of the island nation when compared to the same period last year, local media FijiVillage website reported here Monday.

Air Pacific has been operating a direct flight three times per week between Hong Kong and Nadi.

According to the FijiVillage website, Air Pacific is optimistic of further growth in Hong Kong and China mainland's markets through its marketing investment with the traveling agency Tourism Fiji and collaboration with other airlines.

Meanwhile, the airline is also partnering with other airlines in the region to strengthen and expand its network to further increase traffic, jointly working towards double digit growth in visitor numbers from China, India and other countries in the region in 2011.

Air Pacific and Tourism Fiji also plan to increase their joint advertising and media promotions budget in order to draw more attention to the Fiji Islands as holiday destinations.

Recently Air Pacific said they will consider direct flights from Mumbai if visitor numbers grow.

The Information Ministry says Fiji has started focusing on the India and China markets to diversify its risks from the two main markets of Australia and New Zealand, which were affected during the global economic downturn.

Fiji received 620,000 visitors in 2010 compared to 542,000 arrivals in 2009.