Support for Solomon Islands
A powerful earthquake measuring 8.1 on the Richter scale followed by a strong tsunami struck Gizo the capital of Western Province and other areas in Western and Choiseul provinces in the Solomon Islands on 2 March 2007 at about 0730am. Properties, buildings and homes were devastated in these affected areas. Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands, 350km away was unharmed. The tourism facilities and infrastructure in Gizo experienced minor damages. Telecommunication has been normal in addition to hotel and accommodation operations being open for business. Gizo airport was today reopened and flights have resumed with relief supplies being flown in from overseas and other parts of the Solomon Islands. Two private sector members located in Western Province, Sanbis Resort and Uepi Island Resort both escaped major damage. All Scuba dive gear is in top condition at Sanbis Resort and all operations at Uepi Island Resort are normal. General Manager of the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau (SIVB), Mr Michael Tokuru said “SIVB is hopeful that the high level of assistance from Government, business houses, aid donors and local and overseas friends will enable the tourism industry and the country to recover from the devastation within a relatively short-period of time”.

Air Tahiti Begins Flights to Rarotonga
The Air Tahiti flight to Rarotonga was launched earlier the week with an ATR 72. Tahiti’s Minister of Transport and various authorities of the company was onboard the launch flight. The flight returned on the same afternoon with the Honourable Jim Marurai,Prime Minister of the Cook Islands on board. The projection is to maintain a 65 percent occupancy for the 2 weekly flights to Rarotonga which hopefully would draw some of the European traffic via Tahiti to Rarotonga in the months to come.

New Ireland and ENB Launch Tourism Plans
The Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority in partenrship with the respective provincial governments has launched the model provinces' five year tourism plans for New Ireland and East New Britain. Culture & Tourism Minister Hon. Nick Kuman MP launched the plans in the provinces on February 21 and 27 respectively. TPA Board chairman Hon. Kimson Kare MP launched the plan for Eastern Highlands on March 15, while Madang will follow on March 22. The model provinces concept was initiated by PNG TPA to brand, package and market each of the 5 provinces including Milne Bay as stand alone tourism destinations in PNG. (Source: PNGTPA Monthly Newsletter Issue 02 – March 2007)

Solomon Airlines Will Operate Normally
The Solomon Airlines will operate normally despite the tsunami that struck parts of the Western Province in the Solomon Islands on Monday. Airlines manager Raj Prasad, who is based at Nadi Airport, said the next flight was scheduled for Friday would be a direct flight from Honiara. The flight is scheduled to depart Honiara at 3.10pm and arrive in Nadi at 7.20pm. The other flight scheduled for Sunday would depart from Honiara around the same time but would go to Santo in Vanuatu before flying to Nadi. (Source: Fiji Times 04/04/2007)

Surfing Movement Impresses PM
PNG Prime Minister Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare was pleasantly surprised at the growth of the surfing movement in Papua New Guinea. Opening the 2007 PNG National Surfing Titles in Vanimo on Feb 15, Sir Michael said after 20 years, PNG surfing has developed against all odds and has proven that it should be supported by both the industry and the government as a sport and a niche tourism product for the country. Surfing Association of PNG President Andy Abel said the inaugural titles attended by about 200 surfers was the result of 20 years of dedication and hard work. The World Bank also presented SAPNG with its Strategic Development Master Plan which was developed with input from all SAPNG affiliated clubs around the country and will guide the development of surfing as a sport in parallel with surf tourism. (Source: PNGTPA Monthly Newsletter Issue 02 – March 2007)

Free Participation for south-pacific.travel Members in Virtual World Expo
south-pacific.travel is inviting private sector members to participate in the
Local Industry Virtual Exposition  (ALCIVE). This Virtual Expo would showcase your product on the internet from August 2007 to August 2008. Contact details may be provided but direct sales through the Virtual Expo platform are not permitted. Prior to and during the Virtual Expo, the organizers will place advertisements on leading portal sites and other major international websites, and will organize promotional activities to ensure that as many people as possible visit the Expo. Participation in the South Pacific Pavilion in the Virtual Expo is limited to 60 members of south-pacific.travel on a first come first served basis. If you are interested in participating, please confirm to rdrekeni@south-pacific.travel. Your confirmation should include your authorization for us to include content and photos from your existing page on south-pacific.travel in the Virtual Expo Pavilion. If you wish to submit further photos for use in the Pavilion that would be welcomed.

south-pacific.travel Vacancy - ICT Coordinator
south-pacific.travel is seeking an experienced person with appropriate skills to fill in the vacant role of ICT Coordinator.  The role includes ensuring the business continuity of south-pacific.travel’s in-house and web based/hosted IT systems and to contribute to south-pacific.travel’s Internet projects, both for south-pacific.travel and south-pacific.travel’s Pacific island member countries. Click here for more details.

south-pacific.travel membership update
south-pacific.travel welcome 3 more new private sector members:
1.  Paradise Taveuni, situated on the southern tip of Taveuni is Fiji’s freshest new boutique Resort. It's unique deep water frontage allows their guests to dive, snorkel and swim from the lava flow edge into pristine warm tropical waters anytime. For more information, visit their website: www.paradiseinfiji.com  
2. Private Enterprise Partnership for the Pacific (PEP-Pacific) is a multi-donor funded initiative managed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group. The primary objective of PEP-Pacific is poverty reduction through employment-generating sustainable private sector development. Refer to their website for more information: www.ifc.org/peppacific   
3.  AVIAREPS Marketing Garden Ltd – Japan:  The leading PR and Marketing Consultancy in Asia, specialises in travel and trade promotion. It's mission is to significantly raise the quantity and quality of media coverage in Asia for their client destinations/services. Visit their website www.marketinggarden.com for more information
Contact our Membership Service Manager on rdrekeni@south-pacific.travel for more information on south-pacific.travel's Private Sector Membership Programme and the associated benefits.

Tui Tai, a Unique Family Vacation
Tui Tai Adventure Cruises has launched a series of specials for families. Specials are now available for families of 4 and 5 members. While the regularly scheduled adventure cruises maintain a minimum age of 14, there are now specially designated “Family Expeditions” available where the minimum age is 8. “We’ve been getting a lot of interest from families and the adventure cruise is so perfect for a family vacation,” said Morika Young, “Families find that the adventure cruise has something for everyone: great activities, service, food, comfort. Relaxing in some of the most remote islands in the world is a great way to bring the family together.” For families of 5, the special is “4 Pay, 1 Free.” For families of 4, the special is “3 pay and the youngest pays just half price.” For more information on these great family specials, visit there website www.tuitai.com today! (Source: Active Fiji / Tui Tai Adventures Cruises)

World’s Best Creative Cuisine Award is the Star at Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji
Competing in Johannesburg, South Africa against hundreds of chefs from 74 countries, Executive Sous Chef Shailesh Naidu, who is responsible for running Outrigger’s highly acclaimed Ivi Restaurant, took out the top honours at the recent World Association of Chefs Society "One World Culinary Competition 2007”. Chefs from Europe, Asia, the Americas and Pacific island nations each competed for world recognition, with the creativity and professionalism of Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji’s team leader Shailesh Naidu delivering a gold medal win. Darren Shaw, Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji’s General Manager said this latest award was significant to both the resort and Fiji generally. “This global award underscores Outrigger’s commitment to cultivate and nurture our very talented local team of gourmands. Fiji’s eclectic cuisine draws inspiration from our diverse range of cultures, effectively enhancing our guests’ dining experiences. He further added that the resort was committed to further develop their distinctive culinary style through a series of master–classes and seminars, positioning Outrigger as a recognised leader in culinary excellence in Fiji. (Source: Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji Press Release 02/04/2007)

Nalova's Commitment to Service to Tourism (Fiji)
Nalova Bay occupies a unique place in the annals of the development of tourism in the Yasawas in Fiji. Although Nalova Bay is only four years old as a tourist resort, "The Bay" and "The Beach" have been associated with Tourism since the pioneering days of Captain Trevor Withers, when he introduced tourism to the Yasawas in the early 50's.  Nalova Bay Resort has continued its commitment to the proud tradition of quality and friendly service to tourists. Resisting the strong temptation at the design stage to build a large resort, the owners adopted the policy that Nalova will always be small so that they can remain true to the tradition of providing honest and sincere personal service to their guests. According to the managing director, Henry Waqa, a large resort is almost always synonymous with mass tourism and with large numbers, personal service will invariably be replaced with distant impersonal service and the owners of the Nalova Bay Resort do not think that that is the right way for Nalova to go. Nalova Bay Resort has announced it’s new “Freedom of Nalova Package” where guests are give the freedom to choose either to live in the bure they had booked and paid a deposit for or move on to a different bure, even if it is to one of the luxury bures! Just as long as it is vacant! For more information on this great offer, e-mail Nalova Bay Resort on nalova_resort@yahoo.com

Mana Island Resort to Re-open Soon
Earlier last week, damages by fire to six generators that provided power to keep Mana Island Resort operational resulted in the resort closing down for repair works. Mana Island Resort is now please to announce that it has succeeded in installing a generator to get power back on and look forward to getting another one for back up soon. The resort is confident in re-opening it’s doors again on 24th April and will take in new bookings from the 2nd of May. For more information or any further queries, contact their reservations department on Tel 679-665-0423 / Fax 679-665-0788  or e-mail res@manafiji.com