BULA! (Greetings) and Welcome to the Bula News Electronic Newsletter. Produced and distributed by the Fiji Visitors Bureau, the Bula News provides an up to date summary of the latest developments in Fiji's Tourism Industry on a regular basis. If you have any newsworthy items which you would like to be communicated via this newsletter, please forward to bulanews@bulafiji.com This is a complimentary service provided by the Fiji Visitors Bureau

DIVE FIJI AT HALF PRICE IN 2002
From January to March 2002 some of the top dive operators in Fiji are offering dive experiences at half price. For information on these great dive packages and deals contact them direct at:
Castaway Divers dive@castawayfiji.com.fj
Subsurface Fiji Ltd subsurface@is.com.fj
Dive Sonaisali aaron@sonaisali.com
Beqa Divers (Scubahire Ltd) divefiji@is.com.fj
Tropical Dive (Fiji Scuba) fijiscuba@is.com.fj
Ovalau Watersports Ltd Dive@owlfiji.com
Eco-Divers ecodivers@is.com.fj
Matava, The Astrolabe Hideaway matava@suva.is.com.fj
For more information please contact Josephine Ratumate on phone: (679) 302433, fax: (679) 300986 or e-mail: jratumate@fijifvb.gov.fj

FIJI TO HOST SEPARATE BOOTH AT ITB 2002
Fiji’s presence at ITB 2002 in Berlin is expected to be one with a difference as Fiji hosts a separate booth for the first time. The booth, to be managed by the Bureau’s representative in Berlin, has been strategically positioned around the Australian and New Zealand booths in order to maximise the number of visitors. ITB 2002 will be held at the Messe Berlin (Berlin Exhibition Grounds) from March 16 – 20.
Details on hotel spaces, brochure handling and airline special fares will go out to those registered. For more information, please contact, Marketing Officer, Paresh Pant on phone: (679) 302433, fax: (679) 300986 or e-mail: ppant@fijifvb.gov.fj

SOUTH SEA CRUISES INTRODUCES AWESOME ADVENTURES
Award winning operator South Sea Cruises has introduced a new transportation network for backpackers and alternative travelers. Awesome Adventures Fiji features a scheduled boat service connecting the islands in the Yasawa Group and making it possible to island hop and experience the varied surroundings.
The product includes an island-hopping pass at $240 valid for up to 21 days with unlimited stops. This is designed for those wishing to explore the Yasawa Islands over a 7 plus day period. A range of 2 – 7 day package has been arranged for those on shorter itineraries. For more information, please contact, Kevin Ross on phone: (679) 750500, fax: (679) 750501 or e-mail: awesomeadventure@is.com.fj

NEW SHERATON CHAPEL HOSTS FIRST WEDDING
The newly constructed Paradise Wedding Chapel at the Sheraton Fiji Resort hosted it’s first wedding on New Years day. Regina and George Perkins of Washington DC, were the first couple to exchange vows at the chapel located at the Sheraton Fiji beach point.
The Chapel is the first resort chapel on the mainland and was recently completed by local company, Paradise Bride. The Paradise Wedding package, priced at FJD2495 plus 10 percent VAT, includes the marriage license, escorted return transfers to the local registry, a minister of celebrant to officiate, decorative flower sprays, a bridal bouquet and orchid buttonhole, choir, wedding cake, French champagne, professional photography and a gift of "his & hers" sulus. More information can be obtained from the Sheraton Resorts on phone: (679) 750777 or fax: (679) 750588

LEVUKA HOMESTAY INTRODUCES ACCOMMODATION WITH A DIFFERENCE
Visitors travelling to Levuka now have the opportunity to experience a new concept in quality accommodation. A bed and breakfast type accommodation is being offered in a newly constructed home combining both Fijian and Colonial theme.
The accommodation is being provided in the home on John and Marilyn Milesi who say they cater for the "traveler who wants that little bit of extra comfort." For more information please contact John and Marilyn on phone: (679) 440770, mobile: (679) 924545 or website: www.levukahomestay.com

PACIFIC HARBOUR CULTURAL CENTRE INTRODUCES NEW WEBSITE
The Pacific Harbour Cultural Centre and Market Place has a new website. The page, which contains up to date information on the Centre’s facilities with information about history, can be found at www.pacific-harbour.com. The page will also feature a monthly update. The Centre can also be contacted via email cultural@pacific-harbour.com

TOURIST TRANSPORT FIJI APPOINTS NEW MANAGER
Tourist Transport Fiji has appointed Emele Marama to the position of Manager. Marama is currently Reservations and Marketing Manager at TTF and is due to take up her new position on 21 January. General Manager Peter Bell has been appointed to a new role within TTF and will return to New Zealand at the end of January. Congratulations Emele!
Emele will be responsible for all aspects of the business under the Chief Operations Officer for TTF based in Auckland, Russell McRae. For more information, please contact TTF on phone: (679) 723311, fax: (679) 720184 or e-mail: ttf@is.com.fj

FIJI JAZZ FESTIVAL TO FEATURE INTERNATIONAL MUSICIANS
The Fiji Jazz Festival scheduled for April at Sonaisali Resort promises to be an event to look forward to, with performances from internationally recognised musicians. The festival from April 3 – 7 is being supported by Air Pacific and the Fiji Visitors Bureau.
Performers such as David Paquette who has worked with Steve Martin, Fleetwood Mac and Spike Milligan will provide the entertainment at the Festival, together with The John Boutte Quartet out of New Orleans as well as Ingrid Lucia & the Flying Neutrino’s, who are Madonna’s favorite band. For more information, please contact Severo Tagicakiverata on phone: (679) 302433, fax: (679) 300986 or e-mail: stagicakiverata@fijifvb.gov.fj

FVB INDUSTRY MEETINGS – FIRST QUARTER 2002
The Fiji Visitors Bureau will launch their 2002 Marketing Plan with industry briefings around the country this month. The first quarter briefings, which have been organised by regions is scheduled as follows:

Suva/Pacific Harbour/Coral Coast Region
Date: Wednesday January 16, 2002
Time: 10am

Venue: Talei Room, Naviti Resort
Nadi/Lautoka/Sunshine Coast
Date: Wednesday January 16, 2002
Time: 3pm

Venue: Tanoa International Conference Centre
Mamanuca/Yasawa/Outer Islands
Date: Thursday January 17, 2002
Time: 9am

Venue: Conference Room, Musket Cove Resort
Savusavu/Taveuni/North
Date: Thursday January 17, 2002
Time: 3pm

Venue: Hot Springs Hotel Conference Room

A team from the FVB head office will attend the briefings together with Regional Directors from Australia and New Zealand. A media briefing will also be held at the FVB Head Office on January 18th. For more information, please contact Amelia Dakunivosa on phone: (679) 302433, fax: (679) 300986 or e-mail: adakunivosa@fijifvb.gov.fj

FVB TO HOST MARKETING SUMMITS
The Fiji Visitors Bureau is to host Marketing Summits in Australia and New Zealand to strengthen marketing support for partners within the source markets. The Summit will be held in New Zealand on January 24 – 25 at Waiheke Resort and in Australia on February1-2.
Expected participants for the summit are the Airlines, representatives from the Bureau, Wholesalers and representatives from the industry in Fiji. For more information on the NZ Summit please contact Penny Henderson, Regional Director FVB Auckland on phone: (09) 3732133/134, fax: 909) 3094720 or e-mail: penny@bulafiji.co.nz or for the Australia Summit, please contact Regional Director, Joe Rayawa on phone: (02) 92643399, fax: (02) 92643060 or e-mail: rayawa@mail.mpx.com

WAISALIMA BEACH RESORT HAS A NEW WEBSITE
Waisalima Beach Resort and Dive Centre has a new page. More information on the resort can be found at www.waisalimafiji.com

FIJI TO FEATURE AT MUNICH LEISURE SHOW
Fiji will feature at a leisure exhibition in Munich aimed at the Caravan, Boat and Travel Market.C-B-R 2002 will be held from February 16 – 24. A booth called "The Gateway to the South Pacific" is being hosted by the BWT Travel Office who will be running competitions throughout the 9 day event. Three South Pacific holidays will be given away on the last day of the show.
The event is being supported by local industry operators Captain Cook Cruises, Wananavu Beach Resort, Lagoon Resort, Tambua Sands, Club Coral Coast and Susie’s Plantation Resort. Other hotels/resorts interested in C-B-R-2002 can contact the BWT Travel Office on Tel: 450 444, Fax 450 994.

SHELLY WILLIAMS LEAVES MUSKET COVE
Shelly Williams has resigned as Resort Manager at Musket Cove. Shelly and her partner David will be returning to New Zealand to pursue personal ventures. Any direct enquiries for the Resort Manager are to go to Josephine Smith or Margaret Thaggard, until a new Manager is appointed. For more information please contact Josephine on e-mail josephine@musketcovefiji.com

HYPERBARIC REFERRAL CENTRE NOW OPEN
Divers in need of urgent assistance can now be treated at the Fiji National Hyperbaric Referral Centre in Suva. Located at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital, the Centre has successfully treated a number of divers since it was officially opened last June.
The Centre is run by Medical Director, Dr. Ali Birbo and is open 24 hours a day for diving emergencies, commercial, tourist and sport diving. It also offers clinic hyperbaric treatments of mom-healing wound, skin grafts, smoke inhalation, diabetic ulcers and more. For more information please contact, Dr. Birbo at CWM Hospital on 313444.

For any further information, please contact the Fiji Visitors Bureau:

Ms Ili Matatolu
Marketing Services Manager
Email: bulanews@bulafiji.com
Telephone: (679) 302 433
Facsimile: (679) 300 970 or 300986
Website: www.BulaFiji.com

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