Temaru Announces Tahiti Tourism Budget Hike
French Polynesia President Mr Oscar Temaru has announced an increase in next year's investment budget for the Ministry of Tourism. He said the extra money is to be used to improve access to tourism sites and to restore the value of French Polynesia's heritage. A master plan with a target of 300,000 international visitors per year by the end of 2007 is to be completed next year. (Source: News@PATA 21/09/2005)

FVB Acting Senior Marketing Officers Appointed
The Fiji Visitors Bureau has appointed Mr. Severo Tagicakiverata and Ms. Sera Cawanibuka as Acting Senior Marketing Officers for a three month period. The duo will be sharing responsibilities of Ms. Josephine Seruvatu who will be away from the office during this period. All Media/ Trade Visitation Program & Publication enquries are to be directed to Ms. Cawanibuka and all enquiries relating to Public Relations and the FVB Branding & Logo Application are to be directed to Mr. Tagicakiverata. For further information, please contact FVB Manager Fiji, Ms. Sala Toganivalu on Tel: +679 6722433, Fax: +679 6720141 or email: stoganivalu@fijifvb.gov.fj (Source: Bula News 21/09/2005)

PATA Reaffirms Advisory Policy
PATA has reminded its members of its policy platform on travel advisories, the key to which is the PATA Code for Fairer Travel Advisories. PATA President and CEO Mr de Jong said the Association's objective was to encourage greater transparency, accountability and even-handedness in the issuance of advisories. The PATA boss said: "Any PATA member destination that feels it is being unfairly assessed by an advisory should inform PATA. We will endeavour to take a balanced and well-argued case to the advisory issuing body." He added: "As your industry association, PATA has an obligation to speak out on your behalf." (Source: News@PATA 21/09/2005)

Guam Visitors Bureau is Celebrating 35th Anniversary
In September, the Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB) is celebrating 35 years of service and commitment to the people of Guam and visitors to the island. The GVB is commemorating its founding as a non-profit organization in 1970 and is also marking the opening of the Continental Hotel in Tumon, the start of Air Pacific's flights in Micronesia and JAL's weekly flights to Guam. "These events marked the beginning of tourism for Guam," says Gerry Perez, the GVB's general manager. He reports, "Tourism is now the largest industry on the island with a fully developed visitor infrastructure and more than a million arrivals each year." The GVB supports the tourism industry on the island of Guam and with marketing programs in key Asia/Pacific regions and North America. The anniversary was celebrated with an open house at the GVB offices and a gala event at the Leo Palace Hotel. A resolution from the Guam legislature formally acknowledged the importance of tourism to the economy of Guam. (Source: TravelWire News 20/09/2005)

Rosie Targets China (Fiji)
The country's largest inbound tour company has once again strengthened its position at the forefront of local tourism by becoming one of the few organisations to tap into the enormous and relatively new Chinese market. Realising the huge potential that China has for Fiji, Rosie Holidays has also become the first inbound tour operator to establish a dedicated division for the Asian market. Following the announcement earlier this year that Fiji had been awarded the Approval Detention Status (ADS), allowing Chinese nationals to visit, Rosie with the assistance of Fiji Visitors Bureau and Korean Air began establishing contact with key Chinese operators on mainland China. While ADS is only being granted to a few nations, it is estimated that in the next five years, 30million Chinese nationals would be travelling around the globe. With such a huge prospect for development, Rosie Holidays soon began plans to ensure it took full advantage of the opportunity presenting itself. In July, Rosie Holidays established a dedicated Chinese Division to target the potentially large Chinese market. Rosie also appointed Wen Ping Li, known to colleagues as Nancy, as head of the new department. Rosie Holidays Director, Tony Whitton said they are also in discussion with the Government, based on their "Look North Policy". Mr Whitton said discussions were underway with the Immigration Department to assist with the issuing of tourist visas; as they would be welcoming two groups each month. Mr Whitton said once in Fiji, Chinese tourists would enjoy day cruises, Natadola train rides, tours of townships, villages and markets and also visits to some authentic Chinese restaurants in Nadi and Lautoka. He said the large Chinese community already in the country placed the nation in a favourable position to develop the new market. For more information on the article visit the following link: http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?ref=archive&id=28658# (Source: Fiji Times 19/09/2005)

Sydney Goes After Indian Tourists
The city’s tourism business leaders have established two new forums aimed at rapidly increasing visitation from India. Sydney is hopeful of attracting some of the 200 million Indians who now have the means to travel internationally. “Last year we welcomed 42,500 Indian visitors to NSW [New South Wales] and they provided a A$68.5 million boost to the NSW economy,” Tourism NSW executive director and general manager John O’Neill said in a release. “Current tourism forecasts are for 200,000 Indian visitors to Australia each year within 10 years but with a strong, early focus on two-way trade in tourism and business we believe Sydney and Australia can do much better from this massive market.” The NSW India Travel Industry Forum and the NSW Tourism, Travel, & Hospitality Chapter of the Australia-India Business Council (AIBC) have been established to capitalize on the market’s potential. “Tourism is a massive bilateral opportunity for NSW and India, and the successful launches have demonstrated how we can all work together for mutual benefit,” Neville Roach, chairman of the AIBC, said.
O’Neill said the challenge was not only growing tourism but developing new products and having the right customer service. (Source: eTurbo News 21/09/2005)

FVB UK/Korean Air Joint Famil
The Fiji Visitors Bureau is organising the first joint-fam trip with Korean Air from September 26-30, 2005, with a group consisting of operators from Transpacific, Travel2, Trailfinders, Travelmood, Lotus, Korean Air, Korean National Tourist Board and a Travel Weekly journalist. They will visit various parts of Fiji during their stay. For more information contact FVB Marketing Officer, Ms. Fane Vave on Tel: +679 3302433, Fax: +679 3300986 or email: fvave@fijifvb.gov.fj (Source: Bula News 21/09/2005)

Mango Bay Resort Update
Mango Bay Resort is counting down to its much anticipated opening in about two months time, therefore expect ‘Mango Madness’ opening specials to be popping around November in celebration. Ten of the beachfront bures featuring gorgeous outdoor showers are near completion, whilst work on central facilities and the lagoon shaped pool with swim up bar is starting to take shape and will be a spectacular feature to the resort. Safari Tents are currently being shipped over direct from Africa, it will the first of its kind in unique eco-design to be used within Fiji. They are modular in design, spacious and have private en suite facilities. The Safari Tents will provide an eco tourism experience for guests set within the lush, tropical landscape of Mango Bay Resort. For further details please visit their website http://www.mangobayresortfiji.com/  or drop in a e-mail to info@mangobayresortfiji.com and discover Fiji’s freshest and most delightful resort.

Mandara Spa for Fiji’s Musket Cove
Fiji’s award-winning Musket Cove Island Resort will introduce a Mandara Spa early in 2006. Mandara Spa, with more than 60 spas in resorts and hotels in Asia, the Pacific, the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean and aboard vessels of three major cruise lines, will operate the new Musket Cove facility on the resort¹s behalf. Musket Cove’s spa will be the second Mandara facility in Fiji; the first is at Denarau Island’s Sheraton Fiji Resort. Musket Cove is on the edge of Malolo Lagoon in Fiji’s Mamanuca Islands. It has 38 Fiji-style bungalows, 16 villas, a marina and one of the South Pacific’s safest anchorages, providing an excellent environment for enjoying the resort’s water-based activities, a general store, bistro and bar, charter yachts, a PADI Gold palm dive facility and fishing vessels. There are private homes and villas for holiday rental, each with a private landscaped garden and some with a pool and housekeeping staff. For further information contact Musket Cove Resort in Fiji on (679) 672 2488 or by email at musketcovefiji@connect.com.fj (Source: Geoff Smith Public Relations Pty Ltd 22/09/2005)

Air Fiji Issues E-tickets
Air Fiji has embarked on the introduction of e-tickets on domestic flights. The e-tickets will initially be introduced on the trunk routes and will be followed by other domestic destinations, Manager Commercial Shaenaz Voss said yesterday. She said the International Air Transport Association has recommended that all airlines move towards e-ticketing and by the end of 2007 no paper tickets will be printed. "There will be numerous benefits to customers from electronic ticketing and travellers already using this for international travel are well aware of the benefits," Ms Voss said. "Air Fiji has set an in-house project team to oversee the introduction of e-tickets which will be done in stages. "Air Fiji customers will be required to present a photo ID at check-in as a mandatory process. Ms Voss said this will a challenge, as domestic passengers have not had to do this in the past. She said Air Fiji will undertake a programme to familiarise their domestic clients on the process and procedures of ticket less travel, especially those in the remote outer island destinations. "Air Fiji will be investing substantially towards the training of staff, customer awareness and actual implementation of electronic tickets," Ms Voss said. (Source: Fiji Times 20/09/2005)

Yachts Arrive for Regatta (Fiji)
Yachts from around the world have been arriving all week to participate in Musket Cove's Fiji regatta week at Malololailai Island in the Mamanuca's. The count on Wednesday night was 109 yachts at the marina and in the bay. The Live Figurehead and Best Decorated duck or dinghy contest resulted in a tie for first place with "Jarokinbah" and "Anitra May" both being awarded first prizes. The final of the Hobie Cat Challenge was won by Changes of Latitude with Cassiopeia in second place. Special trophies were awarded for the gaffers rally to "Vixen", "Alanta" and "Cassiopeia". The Fiji regatta week concluded on Friday night with the prize giving and the Gala dinner. The weather on Saturday morning was an absolutely perfect day for tourist visitors but not too good for the fleet of yachts bound for Port Vila in Vanuatu. Very light winds greeted the 20 yachts at the start of the Musket Cove to Port Vila Race. The two New Zealand catamarans Catenza and Scarper led the fleet out past Malolo Island and through the gap in the outer reef to the blue water. With such light wind conditions prevailing there is little likelihood that the record for the passage of two days eight hours and 42 minutes will be broken. The record was set in 2003 by Anteaus skippered by Charles St Clair Brown. If the calm seas prevail then the yachts should have an incident free voyage and most yachts should arrive in Port Vila by Wednesday. (Source: Fiji Times 19/09/2005)

Internet to Overtake Agents/Operators Before End of Decade
The internet will overtake agents and operators for booking travel in as little as two to three years time, a survey predicts. A poll of more than 4,000 travellers from the UK to the US shows that agents and operators accounted for a high of 88% of bookings in 1998 but this had declined to 50% by 2004. At the same time, the internet has moved from a zero start in 1996 to now account for 27% of travel bookings to the US. “If current trends are maintained [the internet] will overtake agents/operators in two to three years,” according to the VisitUSA group. A poll tracking where bookings were made "underlines the significant change in travel habits," according to VisitUSA. The results of the survey also show that the internet is poised to overtake agents and operators to become the primary source of travel information, from a standing start nine years ago. The figures come from an ongoing US Department of Commerce in-flight survey of travellers to the US. The survey also shows that UK PC usage is growing much faster than other countries worldwide. Meanwhile, international arrival figures for the year to the end of June show a 2.8% rise over 2004 which if maintained could see 2005 UK visitors to the US of more than 4.4 million. (Source: TravelMole News 16/09/2005)