Tourism accreditation a serious business
The Cook Islands Tourism Corporation and the independent Tourism Industry Council are working together to help expand and empower the Tourism Accreditation System. Currently, the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation relies on the cooperation of businesses involved in its tourism accreditation programme. Beattie said the accreditation system was meant to help raise the awareness of standards in the Cook Islands and what is expected from a property. She said it was all about making your property and business the best it can be. Beattie said accreditation applications have been put on hold for the time being while the new system is developed. She said officials would seek stronger measures to implement its decisions as well as introducing new guidelines for applicants. Read more. (Source: Cook Islands News 24 January 2012)

Aussies Dominate Tourist Arrivals to Solomon Islands
The Solomon Islands have enjoyed a 20 percent increase in visitor numbers in the past two years with Australian travelers the most frequent visitors to the untouched island paradise.  Richard Hankin from Solomon Islands Visitor Bureau told e-Travel Blackboard the growth comes from a greater awareness and increase in air capacity to the Solomon Islands, with six flights a week from Brisbane that connect to all major Australian and NZ gateways. There has also been an increase in trade exposure with the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau now an active member of the Treasures of the South Pacific group which promotes South Pacific destinations regionally around Australia. Read more. (Source: Solomon Times Online 25 January 2012)

Tonga looks to increasing tourist numbers for economic future
Like many Pacific nations, Tonga has identified tourism as the driver of its economic future. As part of that, over the past few months an expert committee has been looking at what the country's ministry of tourism should be focussing on, what legislation is needed, and talking to local operators about the strengths and weaknesses of the existing local industry. Tourism is already the country's second biggest economic earner, and the review has happened as the government moves to merge the tourism ministry with the Ministry of Commerce. It is also the first time a review of Tongan tourism has been conducted since 1976, and the head of the review group, Semisi Taumoepeau, says it is well over due. Presenter: Monalisa Palu. Speaker: Semisi Taumoepeau, head of the committee looking at a new structure for Tonga's Ministry of Tourism.  Read more. (Source: Radio Australia 24 January 2012)

Tafea Tourism announces members and executive for 2012
This week, the Vanuatu Tourism Office received Tafea Tourism Council’s (TTC) membership listing which totalled to 53 registered members. The VTO would like to congratulate TTC for their excellent efforts in ensuring that all bungalow, resort and tour operators on Tanna are registered to be able to be marketed through the Vanuatu Tourism website. Additionally, this week on the 25th January, TTC held it’s annual general meeting at Tanna Evergreen Resort, attended by all members. The outcome of the meeting reflected on the leadership and trust of TTC’s members to the executive who were elected to continue their position for 2012. Chairlady for TTC is Ms. Merian Numake (Evergreen Resort), Vice Chair is Mr. Kelson Hosea(Jungle Oasis Bungalow), Treasure Mr Tom Kapalu (Hidden Treasure Bungalow) and members are Werry Narua (Port Resolution Yacht Club), Chief Stephen(Lowino Cultural Village) and Mary (Friendly Bungalow). The VTO looks forward to working closely with Tafea Tourism and its counterparts to further promote the outer islands. For more information on TTC, email: tafea.tourism.council@gmail.com  or tevergreen@vanuatu.com.vu . (Source: Vanuatu.travel/news 26 January 2012)

Tourism Fiji India Workshop
Following the success of its 2010 and 2011 India travel industry workshops, Tourism Fiji has announced it will repeat the exercise this year. Taking place from 12 – 17 February, the national tourist office along with Air Pacific and several industry partners will visit the key cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bangalore. The main thrust of the visit is again to educate several hundred Indian travel consultants on the potential Fiji offers as a new and alternative destination for their clients and the ease with which they can now reach the destination via Air Pacific's recently increased Hong Kong-Nadi services.  For further information, please contact Tourism Fiji's Marketing Officer, Mr Kiniviliame Raicebe via email at kraicebe@tourismfiji.com.fj.

Niue - Air New Zealand Sale Packages Jan-Dec
The secret is out: Niue is one giant playground. An eco-tourist’s paradise, blessed with a wonderful climate and a plethora of natural attractions to create a diverse holiday itinerary. Your package includes:  Return economy class airfares to Niue with Air New Zealand via Auckland (overnight) including checked baggage. Packages are valid Now-07 December 2012. For more click here. (Source: Best Flights.com.au 20 January 2012)

MS Columbus to arrive in PNG early this year
Port Moresby will welcome its first overseas cruise ship visit for the New Year on February 2. The cruise ship, MS Columbus, with more than 300 tourists on board, is scheduled to call into Port Moresby for a day visit, arriving at about 6am and leaving for Australia at about 5pm the same day. Other cruise ships scheduled to arrive in Papua New Guinea during the year are, MS Europa, Amedea, SS Voyager, Arcadia, Queen Mary 2, Princess Damae, Hanseatic and Amsterdam. (Source: PNGTPA 26 January 2012)

2 in 1 day
Two cruise ships made stops in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, dropping off some 1700 passengers mostly from the United States on the island for the day. The Seabourn Odyssey and the MS Rotterdam both stopped by Rarotonga, the first time the island has had two cruise ships visit on the same day in four years. The last time two cruise ships stopped by Rarotonga on the same day occurred in February 2008. Read more. (Source: Cook Islands News  20 January 2012)

Up for some SCUBA DIVING?
The expedition will be guided by a PADI accredited Dive Master Mr James Smith where the underwater sightseeing will cover the WWII landing aircraft wreck at Betio  lagoon, side at 7- 8m depth, MV Toata wreck at Bikeman islet at 9m depth, and other sites: Read more in the weekly edition of ‘What’s On!’ the Kiribati National Tourism Office newsletter details major events, functions and tours running on and from Tarawa for the coming week, Tuesday-to-Tuesday.

The Havannah Most Excellent Romantic Hideaway
Chosen from Conde Nast Johansens’ portfolio of personally selected properties, their prestigious awards for Excellence recognizes “the best of the best” and prides themselves on understanding the vacation expectations of their discerning 10 million readers and recommend a rich, geographically diverse variety of luxury hotels, inns, resorts, spas, eco-lodges and private villas, all inspected by Conde Nast’s team of experts. This year, The Havannah has been selected as a finalist for Most Excellent Romantic Hideaway amongst Jade Mountain at Anse Chastanet of St. Lucia, Cap Maison Resort & Spa of St. Lucia, Ladera of St. Lucia, and Turtle Island of Fiji. For more information, visit www.condenastjohansens.com. The Vanuatu Tourism Office would like to congratulate The Havannah for an exceptional achievement and looks forward to working together with the resort in further promoting the destination. (Source: Vanuatu.travel/news 19 January 2012)

Tonga packages featured on Jetset Travel Catalogue
Tonga joined other South Pacific Islands destination in partnerhsip with Adventure World in their 'First Footprints' brochure in October 2011, which was designed for the bold traveller looking for an authentic experiences at island destinations. As a result they have managed to attract more opportunities for exposure of their Tonga packages on a full page in Jetset Travelworld Agency Group's January/Feburary 2012 catalogues.  The Tonga Ministry of Tourism is pleased  with this development as Tonga will get  a lot of exposure from this joint venture program. Read more. (Source:  The Tonga Ministry of Tourism 27 January 2012)

G'day Samoa Fun Walk/Run
Samoa Fun Walk/Run will be held on 04 February – Upolu. Enjoy either the run or walk with your family and your mates. You'll go in the draw to win two return tickets to Australia, enjoy a free breakfast and be in the running for lots of other great prizes. Prizes for fast runners, slow walkers, strollers, tourists and everything in between.  Free registration. Read more. (Source: Samoa Tourism Authority)

New Cook Islands cruises
Cruisers wanting something a bit different should look into a new cruise operator which is set to launch in the Cook Islands. Pacific Schooners is currently converting and refitting a former deep-sea fishing vessel called the Zebroid, which will undergo a makeover to become the Tiare Taporo – a “handsome, reliable and seaworthy full powered, auxiliary sail-assist ship” which will carry up to 30 passengers plus cargo on on regular routes and passages among the Northern and Southern groups of the Cook Islands in the Pacific. More details at www.pacificschooners.com. Click here.  (Source: Cruise Weekly [page 4] 24 January 2012)

2012 Vanuatu Tourism Brand Files & Images available for industry
The 2012 Brand DVD which contains all brand files including images to be used by Vanuatu Tourism industry operators are ready for distribution. The DVD contain Brand Toolkit Manual, a document on brand logo and image use specifications, the brand tagline Discover What Matters in high, medium and low resolution (web format), the sand drawing interpreted designs and elements, and lastly VTO’s new Image gallery and all brand, tactical and incidental images that industry can use in marketing collaterals. Email website@vanuatu.travel or call the office on +678 22685 or +678 22515, for your copy. (Source: Vanuatu.travel/news 26 January 2012)

Faith Tourism: One Of The Fastest Growing Industries
Faith tourism may seem a minor branch of the industry, yet numbers suggest it is one of the most expansive segments which have significant potential. Visiting religious sites has long been a priority for believers; no matter what religion, those truly devoted are ready to travel thousands of miles to pay homage to a place or area significant to their faith. Thus, faith-based tourism has become one of the fastest-growing segments of the industry, being only overcome by adventure tourism. Read more. (Source: Tourism Review Weekly News 23 January 2012)

The Worlds Largest Painting In The Marshall Islands
Bikini Lines is a proposed massive, mixed media installation inspired by the lack of standardized nuclear disaster reporting. The Bikini Lines team which is made up of members from around the world is setting out to create the world’s largest painting using the Runit Island - Cactus Dome as their canvas on the historically significant & sublimely remote Pacific Island of Runit in the Marshall Islands. The Cactus Dome is a 107m wide (350foot) dome built over a blast crater in the Marshall Islands which encases the radioactive debris from Bikini and the surrounding Atolls.  Read more. (Source: orphicpixel 23 January 2012)

Atolls of Tuvalu Released by Pacific Island Sim
Pacific Island Sims announced that it has recreated Atolls of Tuvalu to capture the history and current state of the atolls, and also to offer FSX pilots the opportunity to fly into one of the smallest and beautiful countries in the world with FSX. Formerly known as Ellice Islands, Tuvalu is a Polynesian island nation located in the Pacific Ocean, halfway between Hawaii and Australia and is the fourth smallest country in the world.  According to various studies by a number of scientific experts, if the current sea level continues to rise, Tuvalu will be fully submerged within the next fifty years. Given this probability of Tuvalu becoming submerged, it is necessary to capture the country and all its stunning beauty for future generations to see. This is one of the reasons why Pacific Island Sim has embarked on a mission to digitize images and memories of the country through game genres such as flight simulation. Read more. (Source: Fly Away 24 January 2012)