Fiji Tourism Forum Speeches Available Online
Speeches, presentations and resolutions made at the recent Fiji Tourism Forum held at the Sheraton Fiji Resort on September 7th and 8th, 2006 are now available online and can be downloaded as follows:
- Fiji Tourism Forum 2006 Resolutions [click here]
- Hon. Ratu Jone Kubuabola – Minister for Finance & National Planning (Opening Speech) [click here]
- John Borghetti – Executive General Manager – Qantas Airways [click here]
- Josefa Tuamoto – Director of Marketing – Fiji Islands Visitors Bureau [click here]
- Manoa Kamikamica – General Manager, Strategic Planning – Air Pacific Ltd [click here]
- Guy Chester – Tourism Master Plan [click here]
- Kolinio Meo – Director – Fiji Institute of Technology [click here]
- Alex Ahluwalia – General Manager – JW Marriott Fiji Resort & Spa [click here]
For more information contact FVB Marketing Officer, Mr. Darren Yuen on Tel: 679 6722433 or Email: dyuen@fijifvb.gov.fj  (Source: Bula News 18/09/2006)

Vanuatu Showcases Products, Destination in Neighbouring Noumea
Over a dozen Vanuatu business stakeholders have showcased their products, services and more generally their destination in New Caledonia's capital Nouméa at the weekend. The three-day showcase, which was generally well-received, involved Vanuatu manufacturers, the national tourism office. It was also perceived as an opportunity for Vanuatu authorities to promote themselves as an attractive investment destination, capitalising on its "tax haven" status. An estimated three thousand visitors from the general public and local business leaders came to the trade fair. But Vanuatu business community also expressed frustration at what it still regards as a major stumbling block to any business expansion in New Caledonia: the local import duties, which they believe remain very high, sometimes topping the 45 per cent mark-up. Vanuatu manufacturers are currently capitalising on the global "fair trade" movement to get their products duty exempt exported into the French Pacific territory, local daily Les Nouvelles Calédoniennes reports. The Vanuatu Trade Show was jointly organised by the Nouméa and Port Vila chambers of commerce, New Caledonia's Economic Development Promotion Agency (ADECAL), Vanuatu's Tourism Office and also received financial support from the European Union. It is expected to become an annual event, as part of growing relations between New Caledonia and the former French-British condominium of the New Hebrides, which became independent Vanuatu in 1980. Vanuatu is also, some 500 kilometres Northeast, New Caledonia's closest neighbour. (Source: Oceania Flash 12/09/2006)

FVB to be Part of China Mart
The Fiji Visitors Bureau will take part in the China International Travel Mart to be held in Shanghai from November 16-19. FVB will participate under the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) flagship in the South Pacific stand. For more information contact FVB Marketing Officer, Miss. Sera Cawanibuka on Tel: 679 672 2433, Fax: 679 672 0141, or Email scawanibuka@fijifvb.gov.fj (Source: Bula News 18/09/2006)

Wedding Guide Proves Popular in Australia (Fiji)
The FVB’s recently released Fiji Weddings 2006 guide has proved to be one of the most popularly requested consumer and trade guides in the Australian market. In fact the FVB Sydney-based office has reprinted the guide to service this growing demand. The popular 42 page A5-sized booklet provides comprehensive information on Fiji, including wedding facilities, requirements, fees, registry offices, and wedding packages. For your copy of the guide in Australia please email: infosyd@bulafiji.au.com or email FVB’s Marketing officer, Ms Inise Mucunabitu on imucunabitu@fijifvb.gov.fj (Source: Noqu Dodomo FVB Newsletter 18/09/2006)

Matai Program for India Operators
A Matai Specialist training program will be held in India from October 10-17. The Fiji Visitors Bureau training will coincide with sales calls in main cities in New Delhi and Mumbai. The program is a lead-up to the frontliners product training to be held at the end of January 2007, next year and the Travel World in February 2007. For more information contact FVB Marketing Officer, Miss. Sera Cawanibuka on Tel: 679 672 2433, Fax: 679 672 0141, or Email scawanibuka@fijifvb.gov.fj (Source: Bula News 18/09/2006)

French Polynesia Plans Opening of Chinese Consulate Next Month
The government of French Polynesia is planning to open its first Consulate for the People's Republic of China. Final preparations are reported to be processing, in close consultation with the French government, local daily newspaper La Dépêche reports. For the past few years, French Polynesia and the People Republic of China have consistently built ties, especially on the trade side. This includes trade facilitation for French Polynesia to export black pearls into China. French Polynesia is also seeking the People's Republic of Chinas approved destination status. The French Pacific country is also home to a strong Chinese ethnic community which, over the generations, has successfully mingled into the local population. (Source: Oceania Flash news 21/09/2006)

Kiwis Urged to Holiday in NZ
A new campaign is being launched to encourage New Zealanders to check out their own backyard. It has been prompted by a dive in domestic tourism, as more Kiwis choose to holiday abroad. As a nation, Kiwis are increasingly less interested in seeing New Zealand - in the past year 10% fewer Kiwis explored home. Latest government figures show the most iconic regions are missing out - Marlborough, Rotorua, Hawke's Bay, the West Coast, Taupo and Queenstown are the biggest losers when it comes to attracting Kiwis. Tourism New Zealand's brief is only to attract overseas travellers. No one is responsible for promoting New Zealand to New Zealanders. So the Automobile Association has taken up the mantel, listing the top attractions. The AA's new head of tourism, Peter Blackwell, has the credentials, previously working with mayor Rudolph Giuliani to rejuvenate New York's image after September 11. Blackwell says New Zealanders have big screen televisions but the only advertisements showing on them are for foreign destinations. "We're not actually telling people that New Zealand is exciting." Blackwell mission is to do just that, convincing New Zealanders it is never too late to discover our own backyard. (Source: TravelMole News 19/09/2006)

Cook Islands Developer Looking at Building Small Hotels in Northern Group
A prominent property developer in the Cook Island, Tim Tepaki, says he would like to set up several small hotels in the northern islands. Mr. Tepaki, who is Wellington based, says he is seriously concerned about the de-population of the area. He has just returned to Rarotonga from a trip to the northern islands and says he wants to provide opportunities and employment for the local people. “What I was thinking of was a twenty to thirty room hotel on each island, now in Pukapuka and Manihiki, here’s where I’ve floated (the idea) and they’ve grabbed it with both arms saying OK lets do it, we’ll give you the land to do it.” Mr. Tepaki says he has also been talking to Air Rarotonga about the possibilities of providing air links to the area. (Source: Radio New Zealand International 20/09/2006)

SPTO to Observe and Participate at the South Pacific Fest 40 in Los Angeles
The second South Pacific Fest 40 event will be held between 21st and 23rd September at the Hyatt Regency Orange County, LA, California. The inaugural SPF 40 was organized and held in 2005, which was very successful and thus the organizers are staging it again this year. This is envisaged to be an annual event that South Pacific countries will be participating in as they target the US market more and more. The SPF 40 2006 will be attended by seven South Pacific countries, which are also members of SPTO. These countries include Cook Islands, Fiji, New Caledonia, Samoa, Tahiti, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea. Participants from each country would include NTO reps as well as members of the industry members. The event creates the opportunity for these countries (through their offices and reps in the US) with a highly focused training event that showcase products, attractions and the diverse cultures of the region in the North American market. This year’s SPF 40 will consist of training for more that 300 travel agents and tour operators’ reservation staff as well as wholesalers over a three-days period. Thus, SPTO will be represented at the 2006 SPF 40 purposely to observe how the event is being organized and to get feedback from both regional participants on how they find the event as well as obtain the views of travel agents and other trade partners. There is potential for more SPTO member countries to be participating at the SPF 40 events in the future and thus, SPTO is keen to take a leading role to ensure that such an opportunity is made available for all its member countries and its industry members. There is also potential that SPTO could take an active role in facilitating the event for its members and that is why it is participating at this year’s event. As part of its PR activities at the SPF 40 event, a presentation will be delivered about SPTO by Andrew Nihopara (SPTO Marketing Coordinator) during its sponsored cocktail session for the participants.

Pacific Village a Success at Hong Kong PATA Mart 2006
SPTO's Acting CEO (Peter Dawkins) attended this year's annual PATA travel mart, which was held in Hong Kong between the 12th and 15th of September. Mr. Dawkins said, "we were very pleased with our attendance this year where SPTO organised a section of the travel mart into a Pacific Village, putting on an impressive display to more than 1,000 influential travel trade professionals who attended the mart from over 50 different countries and places." SPTO's Pacific Village included representatives from the Cook Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga and the Solomon Islands. Private sector operators attended as well as National Tourism Office representatives. This year's PATA mart was an overwhelming success with a total built up floor space of 4,076 square metres, 13% larger than the 2005 PATA mart in Malaysia. Following on from the PATA mart, Mr. Dawkins held meetings with the United Nations in Bangkok to discuss future cooperation between the two organisations. Mr. Dawkins said, "we are very much looking forward to renewing our relationship with the tourism division of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP).  Both parties bring very complimentary skill sets to help develop sustainable tourism in the Pacific region and we are now looking at joint activities for 2007."

SPTO Membership Update
SPTO welcomes another new private sector member: Holiday Motel in Vanuatu, is situated in the peaceful surroundings of Tassiriki park overlooking the Le Meridien Hotel golf course and Erakor Lagoon. Holiday Motel is a quiet and never crowded place, with only 14 apartments and suites the motel caters only for a maximum of 30 guests. For more information, visit their website: www.holiday-motel-vanuatu.com

New Sales and Marketing Manager for Sonaisali Island Resort
Sonaisali Island Resort has recently appointed Sally-ann Rogers as Sales & Marketing Manager. Director of Sales & Marketing, Patrice Belle is delighted to welcome Sally-ann to the team and looks forward to a very successful year ahead. Sally-ann has bought with her a wealth of knowledge from her many years of working in the Travel Industry in the areas of Hotel Sales, Events Management, Public Relations and the Cruising Industry. Sally-ann is enjoying her role as Sales & Marketing Manager and is excited to be part of the Sonaisali Sales Team. Sally-ann will be active in marketing Sonaisali Island Resort worldwide, attending Tradeshows, hosting educationals and will have a strong focus on The Conference and Incentive Groups market. Sonaisali Managing Director, Aaron McGrath, says he is extremely pleased to welcome Sally-ann, who is familiar and passionate about Fiji. “Her enthusiasm for the Resort and Fiji, combined with extensive Sales & Marketing skills will be an asset to our Resort,” said Aaron. “We are very confident that as a professional, Sally-ann shares our vision for both the future of our superior product – and for the future of Fiji as an International class destination. We are very excited to welcome Sally-ann on board.” Sally-ann is looking forward to meeting Industry Partners at future Industry Trade Events. (Source: Sonaisali Island Resort Media Release 15/09/2006)

Crusoe’s Retreat Get Creative (Fiji)
The team at Crusoe’s Retreat are demonstrating their commitment to the USA and Canadian markets through the appointment of Creative Resort Marketing (CRM) to represent them in North America.From September Paul Rec the Director of Creative Resort Marketing will be heading up the sales and marketing drive in North America for Crusoe’s Retreat. Paul has considerable expertise in the specialist field of resort representation; and this coupled with his market knowledge, proactive and friendly approach makes him a good fit with the dedicated Crusoe’s team. “Crusoe’s Retreat draws guests from all around the World and already has a considerable business from North America” says Paul.  “We are confident that with professional representation this can be further improved and also that we can help Crusoe’s Retreat to tailor their offering to suit the requirements of guests from our market” For enquiries about Crusoe’s Retreat  www.crusoesretreat.com or contact Paul at info@creativeresortmarketing.com (Source: Crusoe’s Retreat)

Say ‘I Do’ with a View at the Outrigger’s Clear Sky Chapel
The Outrigger on the Lagoon is taking love to new heights on the introduction of their Clear Skies Chapel. The Chapel is high above all others set on a plateau of land above the main resort. It is an all timber construction with polished hardwood flooring, unique handcarved door for an impressive entrance, open designed ceiling lined with traditional masi and air conditioned. For further information contact The Assistant Director of Sales, Mr. Wayne Robinson on Tel: (679) 6509 906 Fax:(679) 6500 420 or Email: wayne.robinson@outriggerfiji.com (Source: Noqu Dodomo FVB Newsletter 18/09/2006)

Royal Davui Island Resort, Fiji Wins HM Awards
Royal Davui Island Resort, Fiji has enjoyed another award-winning year; with their latest award at the 2006 HM Magazine Awards from 8 finalist nominations. Royal Davui Island Resort, Fiji was awarded Fijian Property of the Year, presented at the HM Awards Gala Function attended by over 300 Travel Industry professionals at the NSW Art Gallery on Friday, September 8th. HM Magazine awards are presented annually to showcase outstanding achievements within the hospitality and tourism industry. Royal Davui Island Resort, Fiji has been in operation for two short years and already within that time has been established as one of Fiji’s leading hotels. This was Royal Davui’s first nomination for the HM Awards. For any further information please contact christopher@royaldavui.com (Source: Royal Davui Island Resort Media Release 11/09/2006)

A Nation Pays its Respects (Tonga)
The passing of His Majesty Taufa’ahau Tupou IV in New Zealand late on Sunday September 10th, 2006, will be observed in Tonga by a public mourning period of 31 days effective immediately. As a sign of respect for Tonga’s late monarch, most businesses are expected to close on the day of the funeral, Tuesday September 19th, but will stay open throughout the remainder of the mourning period. Bars, nightclubs and restaurants will continue to operate without music, and other tourism and entertainment services including day tours and cruises, will remain largely unaffected during this time. For the overseas visitor currently in Polynesia’s last remaining Kingdom, it will prove to be a completely unique, cultural experience. Visitors will have the opportunity to see Tongans dressed in black mourning attire including the traditional ta’ovala (woven mat) and to see the decoration of Tonga’s buildings in black and purple materials. Between September 13th-18th, visitors will also have a chance to observe the procession of Tongan people offering gifts (tapa cloths, food, blankets etc) to the royal family at the Royal Palace. Coronation celebrations for His Majesty King George Tupou V are expected to take place within one year. (Source: Tonga Visitors Bureau website)

Namuka Bay Lagoon Update – Business Partner
Namuka Bay Lagoon (Fiji) is looking for a Business Partner to manage, finance and develop their 80 acres of land at Namuka Bay Lagoon. For enquries, please contact Namuka Bay Lagoon through e-mail: touristinfofj@connect.com.fj