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

HILTON SET TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION IN AUGUST
The $170 million Hilton Fiji Beach Resort and Spa will begin construction on Denarau Island in August. Initially 110 hotel rooms and 137 villas will be built but when completed the Hilton will offer 423 units. The resort will also include a stand-alone spa, gymnasium, five restaurants, and a ballroom for a 1,000. During construction the project is expected to employ 1,000 workers, but when it opens the number of staff will be 600. Further details are available by contacting Laisa Digitaki Weleilakeba on telephone (679) 3306280, fax (679) 3306267 or email: pplus@is.com.fj

FVB ANNOUNCES NEW MARKETING PLATFORM
Three top marketing officers for the FVB have been given strategic assignments that effectively absorb the overall responsibilities of the Marketing Services Manager.
Sala Toganivalu Lesuma is now responsible for Market Communications; Louisa Finiasi will handle Market and Product Development, while Paresh Pant will concentrate on Strategic Research/Online Marketing. Amelia Dakunivosa is a new member of the marketing team coming from reception with Vasemaca Rakabu taking over that position. This follows the re-appointment of the Marketing Services Manager, Ili Matatolu who has taken up her new role as FVB Regional Director Australia. For further information, contact stoganivalu@fijifvb.gov.fj

MICE MARKET PROMOTED IN AUSTRALIA
The FVB with Air Pacific has mounted a major campaign in Australia to increase the number of meetings, incentive groups, conferences and events (MICE) to Fiji. Included in the promotion is the producton of a MICE newsletter called "Talanoa" that highlights Fiji developments. Also produced to encourage MICE is the Fiji Meeting and Incentive Guide 2002-2003, that includes a comprehensive summary of facilities, services and contact details and a range of sample itineraries. Further information contact on "Talanoa" and the MICE market out of Australia, contact Ilisapeci Matatolu on imatatolu@bulafiji.au.com and for information on the MICE Guide 2002-2003, email on Infodesk@fijifvb.gov.fj

MUSKET COVE’S $3.4 MILLION INVESTMENT
With a new swimming pool, upgrading of the resort’s restaurant and accommodation and the building of ten private villas on the resort’s Armstrong Island, Dick and Carole Smith have invested a further $3.4 million in the popular Mamanuca Resort. For further information contact Musket Cove on e-mail: musketcovefiji@is.com.fj or by calling (679) 666 2215

TOP EXECS VISIT FIJI TO SET ‘ECO CHALLENGE FOR OCTOBER
Eco Challenge Fiji 2002 is one step closer to an October start-up with a recent visit of the show’s top executives. It is expected that up to 15 teams of four each will race over a 500-kilometre course. It will be filmed by camera crews and covered by hundreds of journalists that are expected in Fiji for the event. Ultimately Eco Challenge will be aired in two three-hour television segments to be shown worldwide to more than 100 million viewers. For further information contact Severo Tagicakiverata on Phone (679) 3302433 or Email on stagicakiverata@fijifvb.gov.fj

FVB NORTH-AMERICA AD AGENCY WINS TWO TABUA AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE
Marchese Communications, Inc. in Los Angeles recently received one of the Fiji's Islands highest honors by winning two of the eight categories in Air Pacific’s annual Tabua Awards.
The prestigious award was announced by Air Pacific at this year's Bula Fiji Tourism Exchange in May, 2002, held at the Naviti Resort. Accepting the two awards, which included "Best Consumer Brochure Design" and another award for "Internet Marketing," was President of Marchese Communications, Inc. David Marchese and his Associate Creative Director Steve Mueller.
For further information, please contact David Marchese on email: david@marchesecommunications.com

TREASURE ISLAND WINS BEST WEBSITE AWARD AT BFTE
Treasure Island Resort has won the best website awarded at the Air Pacific Tabua Awards presentation during the Bula Fiji Tourism Exchange held at recently at the Naviti Resort. The website includes multi-lingual capabilities, and an on-line booking engine among its features. For further information contact Peter Jarmer at Treasure Island office in Lautoka on (679) 6666999 or e-mail: peterjar@treasure.com.fj

FVB’S SEVERO GETS TOURISM SCHOLARSHIP
Mr. Severo Tagicakiverata, assistant marketing officer – niche markets, is one of two "outstanding" individuals who have received scholarships to the 10th Annual Tourism Executive Development Programme at the Southern Cross University in Australia, due to be completed on June 29. The scholarships were offered by PATA Pacific Division and the university. For more information, contact the PATA Pacific Division at email: pata@pata.org.au

NEW FVB REGIONAL DIRECTOR THE AMERICAS, UNVEILS FIJI'S NEW LOGO AND BRAND
In his first week as new Regional Director of the Americas for the Fiji Visitors Bureau, Josaia Rayawa and North American's advertising agency, Marchese Communications, Inc., together with Samuelson Talbot in Australia, unveiled the Fiji Visitors Bureau's new Brand Fiji Islands logo and brand manual at a cocktail party in Los Angeles. A similar function was held for the Canadian travel professionals in Vancouver, British Columbia in Canada. For further information contact Philip Hartas at phartas@samuelsontalbot.com.au or David Marchese at david@marchesecommunications.com

FVB’S FIJI SCUBA DIVING NEWSLETTER A HIT
The quarterly ‘Fiji Scuba Diving Newsletter’ has been well received by the diving industry with increasing requests to be put on its circulation list. Much like ‘Bula News,’ the publication features short focused news items about a range of diving topics useful to the professionals and enthusiasts.
To feature your items or to subscribe to this dive newsletter, please contact Anare Senibulu, the FVB Dive Market Officer on e-mail: asenibulu@bulafiji.com or telephone (679) 330 2433.

OUTRIGGER REEF OFFERS SPECIAL FOR AUSTRALIANS
The Coral Coast’s Outrigger Reef Fiji is offering special seven night packages with free upgrades to Deluxe Ocean Front room at prices as low as (A)$1,319 per person that also includes return airfares Brisbane and Sydney. The package includes complimentary daily breakfasts, and kids under twelve can stay, play, and eat for free. Availability and conditions apply. For further information contact Andrew Gee, in Sydney on telephone 02 9969 8 2355 or by e-mail: andrew.gee@outriggerfiji.com.fj

PATA FIJI CHAPTER HOLDS AGM
The PATA Fiji Islands Chapter is holding its Annual General Meeting at the Fiji Mocambo on Friday 6th July. The Chapter is also holding a Fundraising dinner immediately afterwards with Air Pacific Chief Executive John Campbell as the Guest of Honour. For more information, contact Reg Williams on telephone (679) 6723966 and fax (679) 6723998 or email on reg@csf.com.fj

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

FIJI ISLANDS... The One Truly Relaxing Tropical Getaway