Fiji tourists ignore travel warnings

Many tourists are failing to heed the warnings regarding Fiji's military coup and are continuing to arrive on the island to enjoy their holidays.

The military commander Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama has wrested control of the country from prime minister Laisenia Qarase, prompting the installation of military checkpoints throughout the island and the sight of military personnel patrolling the capital Suva's streets.

However, while most tourists have cancelled their holidays, some are continuing to arrive - the majority to the popular Coral Coast resort, reports the Times of India.

"I think its all been blown up in the Australian media," explained Australian Justin Chen to the publication.

"We are so far away from Suva, there is nothing happening here."

Air Pacific, the country's national airline, says that bookings for the next three months are down 40 per cent.

The Australian navy has positioned three ships just outside Fiji's territorial waters should its citizens require evacuation.