Positive outlook for tourism in Vanuatu
Business Advantage has just released an updated overview of Vanuatu's tourism sector. The overview, produced for the International Finance Corporation, was distributed at the Pacific Islands Investment Summit in Auckland earlier this month. A concerted effort by the Vanuatu Tourism Office to market Vanuatu to its key markets, and an increase in air services to the country have combined to lift tourism arrivals significantly over the past ten years. Visitor arrivals are now regularly reaching annual levels of 100,000 or more, compared to 50,000 back in 2003. Cruise ships arrivals also increased by 13% in 2010. Delegates to Vanuatu’s major tourism industry event, Tok Tok Vanuatu, last month heard Vanuatu Minister of Finance Moana Kalosil Carcasses confirm a 47% increase in funding for tourism marketing for 2012. Read more. (Source: Business Advantage 20 September 2011)

New Visitors Centre Big Step in Tourism Development Plan
Niue Island is celebrating the opening of their unique new visitor centre which is one-of-a-kind in the South Pacific reflecting the continued growth in the island’s tourism. The interactive new centre is a welcome addition to the island for both locals and tourists providing them with a one-stop location for information and bookings, cultural experiences and shopping. The visitor centre features an exhibition space for regular cultural performances and offers a place for local craft groups who will be able to sell their products at the centre. The Niue Tourism Office will also be based in the building. The visitor centre opened this week to a full house of tourists and has enjoyed a steady flow of enthusiastic visitors in the days since. Read more. (Source: Niue Tourism Office Press Release 23 September 2011)

Tourism Fiji Launches Dedicated ‘Fiji Me’ Australian Website
Tourism Fiji has launched a dedicated Australian version of the global ‘Fiji Me’ website.  Located at www.fijime.com.au,  the new website is literally awash with information truly reflecting the multi-faceted nature of the destination – from family fun and boutique cruising to soft adventure, culture, surfing, spas and wellness, weddings and honeymoons and not forgetting simple relaxation!!  And - with everything geared to reflect Fiji’s ability to deliver a total holiday experience - irrespective of taste, requirement or budget!  Tourism Fiji Regional Director Australia, Paresh Pant said a major component of the new website was an inbuilt holiday planner which offers access to literally thousands of travel products and ideas. Making life even easier and allowing travellers access to expert advice, the site also offers a comprehensive listing of the national tourist office’s more than 400 nationally-spread ‘Matai’ specialist travel agents, each of which is well fully equipped to handle any Fiji holiday requirement.  For further information, please contact Tourism Fiji Regional Director Australia, Mr. Paresh Pant at ppant@tourismfijioz.com.

Tourism Fair ends in Tahiti
The 7th Tourism Fair ended Sunday in French Polynesia. The event lasted three days. The Tourism Fair took place in Aorai Tini Hau in Tahiti's east coast commune of Pirae. A large crowd attended the event looking for special packages sold during the event. French Polynesia President and Tourism Minister Oscar Temaru was at the Tourism fair opening Friday morning. Temaru stressed once again the importance of tourism for French Polynesia's economy. He also gave details about what he intended to do in the months to come for Tahiti's tourism. Read more. (Source: Tahitipresse 19 September 2011)

Cruise Ships trumpets Pacific Island Growth
Maritime authorities in New Zealand and Australia are considering updating old navigational charts in the South Pacific, some of which date back to the earliest European voyages in the South Pacific. Ship owners will see varying compliance deadlines come into force from July 2012 until 2018.The surveys are among several initiatives highlighted at the recent PIF leaders forum connecting the growth of cruise ship visits to the region with providing economic opportunity for island communities. Carnival Australia operates a fleet of seven P&O Cruises and Princess Cruise ships. ''The South Pacific is now at the heart of one of the world's fastest growing cruise markets with 120 cruises carrying a combined 375,000 passengers for 2013,'' said Ann Sherry Carnival Australia Chief Executive. Read more. (Source: stuff.co.nz September 2011)

Taking tourism to the next level
Tourism has been Vanuatu’s big success story of the past few years. Now that the tourists are coming in record numbers, the challenge is to provide additional accommodation and services for them. There are several factors that make Vanuatu a particularly attractive location for tourism development. It is close to two major sources of tourists (Australia and New Zealand), has a warm and largely untouched tropical location, and a distinctive indigenous culture that rubs shoulders with some of the best aspects of French and English-speaking culture. Read more. (Source: Business Advantage 20 September 2011)

Time to Discover the South Pacific's Best Kept Secret, Urge DialAFlight
Travel experts DialAFlight have picked out the Cook Islands, a cluster of fifteen islands and two reefs to the north east of New Zealand, as the perfect tropical stopover. Read more.  (Source: Melodika.net September 2011)

Uk Romance Bliss Fam
Tourism Fiji UK has invited the country’s top six wedding specialists to visit and experience first hand what Fiji has to offer for its wedding and honeymoon couples. The famil scheduled from 20 – 27 September will see several Fiji resorts in the Mamanucas, Yasawas, The North, Coral Coast, Beqa and Nadi host the agents as part of a showcase demonstrating the diverse product offerings that makes Fiji’s product so unique from other international destinations.  The agents’ visit is part of a Tourism Fiji UK strategy aimed at creating further awareness of the romance product on offer in non-traditional, longer haul markets.  For further information, please contact Tourism Fiji’s UK representative, Ms Jane West at jane@ihml.com or Marketing Officer, Inise Mucunabitu at imucunabitu@tourismfiji.com.fj.

The Hotel Space Conz
For all your hotel, motel & hospitality needs you can buy online, order or buy direct  from the Hotel Space.  Check out their Inspiration Theme also click here.

Whats On!
Mauri….welcome to the Kiribati Tourism Office weekly edition of ‘What’s On!’. The newsletter details major events, functions and tours running on and from Tarawa for the coming week, Tuesday-to-Tuesday. Read more. (Source: Kiribati Tourism Office  20 September 2011)

Bebe Spa takes Out International Award
The Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji’s Bebe Spa Sanctuary has been awarded the prestigious Spa Design of the Year Award (Oceania) for the second consecutive year.  The award, presented in recognition of Bebe Spa Sanctuary’s superior design and overall ambience at the annual Pevonia Botanica International Spa Awards held in Sydney last month.  For further information, please visit www.outriggerfiji.com.

Teams Line Up For 27th Annual Sigatoka Bilibili Event
One of the year’s most anticipated events, the 27th annual Inter-Hotel Sigatoka Bilibili Races will take place on 10 October 2011. Hosted by the Warwick Fiji Resort & Spa, participating teams include The Pearl South Pacific; Fiji Beach Resort(HILTON); Sofitel Fiji Beach Resort & Spa, Holiday Inn Suva; Warwick Fiji Resort & Spa; The Naviti Beach Resort; Inter Continental Hotel Resort & Spa; Fiji Hideaway Resort; Outrigger On the Lagoon Fiji and Shangri-la’s The Fijian Resort.  The event will kick off with a mini marathon run from Fiji Hideaway to Sigatoka Town at 7.00 am with 11 runners running a two kilometer stretch. Mr. Robert Kennedy, founder and very much part of the annual event, will once again take a major role as part of the 2011 Organising Committee.  A bilibili is a traditional Fijian raft made from bamboo posts and tied together with a rope, you can either steer a bilibili standing up or sitting down with a bamboo pole. For more information, please contact Ms. Sereana Sloan email: ssloan@warwickhotels.com.

New brochure
The next Top Résa French tourism show in September and the Rimini show in Italy in October will provide both professionals and the public the chance to see New Caledonia's new brochure. The fruit of collaboration between the three regional tourism bodies (Sud, Nord and Loyalty Islands) and the New Caledonian Tourism Office, this brochure sets the tone of New Caledonia’s new communications. It will be followed in November by a multi-activity brochure. Encapsulating an entirely new way of thinking, written like a travel log, it paints a beautiful picture with new photos and takes the reader to the heart of an abundant land that is rich in diversity, rich with its various cultures and a real jewel nested in the heart of the Pacific. Click here to view brochure [size 14.80MB]. (Source: New Caledonia Tourism September 2011)

LADI 6 joins the Diva In Paradise Line Up
Motone productions announces that New Zealand Hip Hop and Soul Icon LADI 6 will be joining the DIVAS IN PARADISE line up.  “ Ladi 6 contacted us on our facebook page and asked if it was possible for her to join the bill, so with a talent like that how can you not make it happen!” says Glenda Tuaine from Motone. The line up already sees a powerful selection of female talent set to take the stage at Club Raro’s Are Karioi on Friday 28th October . The DIVAS are set to create a one off gig that can’t be missed.  Along with two of Rarotonga’s best female performers Kura Happs and Tara Kauvai, DIVAS IN PARADISE will be a one night only Festival of Female talent! Read more. (Source: Monotone Productions – Cook Islands  Press Release 23 September 2011)