TOURISM FIJI EVENT AT SHANGHAI EXPO

Throwing their full support behind Tourism Fiji’s marketing effort in China, Prime Minister, Commodore Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama and Attorney General and Minister for Tourism Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum took time out from busy schedules in Shanghai last week to attend the launch of the national tourist office’s first ever Fiji travel planner for the Chinese market.

More than 170 senior Chinese travel industry principals attended the event at the Pudong Shangri-La hotel, entertainment for which was provided by the world-famous Fiji Military Band.

Tourism Fiji’s partners in the event included Air Pacific, Shangri-La’s The Fijian Resort & Spa, Captain Cook Cruises, Garden Island Resort, Robinson Crusoe Island and Radisson Resorts Fiji Denarau Island.

For further information, please contact Tourism Fiji’s Marketing Services Manager,
Ms Adeline Lee-Erasito at alee@tourismfiji.com.fj

TF AND FJ COMBINE TO OFFER ‘BIG BULA’ TO INDUSTRY PARTNERS IN THE ‘BIG NOODLE’

Pictured (from left to right) Air Pacific’s newly appointed Sales and Marketing Manager Hong Kong, Andrew Wong with Tourism Fiji’s Marketing Services Manager, Adeline Lee with Director of Sales for Wah Yan Tat Travel, Mr Norman Yuen, one of the national tourist office’s key trade partners in Hong Kong.

The visit to Wah Yan Tat Travel in early August was one of several Mr Wong and Ms Lee undertook while in the ‘Fragrant Harbour’, the main thrust of the program being to push destination Fiji and also ensure that Fiji remains top of mind for the Hong Kong market.

The duo’s program also included visits to several other key travel industry partners - Sunflowers Travel, EGL Travel, Wing On Travel, Farrington American Express Travel, Hong Thai Travel, Nan Hwa (Express) Travel, Goldjoy Travel, Morning Star Travel and Lotus Tours.

For further information, please contact Tourism Fiji’s Marketing Services Manager, Ms Adeline Lee-Erasito at alee@tourismfiji.com.fj

‘GREEN ME- - FIJI ME’ EVENT DRAWS TOP US TRAVEL WRITERS

Tourism Fiji’s first-ever US ‘media marketplace’ has proven a major success drawing close to 50 of the country’s most influential lifestyle and travel media.

More than 20 of the national tourist office’s travel industry partners, including Air Pacific and Continental Airlines and several resorts, hotels and tour operators were on hand to welcome the media which represented many of California’s most senior radio, TV, print and online journalists. Staged at the Marriott Marina Del Rey Hotel, the group also included several members of the prestigious Society of American Travel Writers.

Highlights of the event included cultural performances from dancers and serenaders while guests were also introduced to several elements of Fijian culture.

Presentation highlights included Tourism Fiji’s role in the ‘GREEN ME - FIJI ME’ program, and national efforts directed at national conservation, including Marine Protected Areas and Plant a Million Trees programs.

For more information, please contact Tourism Fiji’s Regional Director North America, Ms Ili Matatolu at ili@tourismfijius.com

COLOURFUL FIJI WARMS UP AUCKLAND TRAVEL EXPO

A 14-strong Fiji tourism industry team last week joined resources to represent the destination at one of New Zealand’s biggest travel events, the Auckland Flight Centers Mid-Winter Travel EXPO.

The Auckland event was one of three Mid-Winter Expos taking place in Auckland / Wellington and Christchurch.

The event also provided an opportunity to promote the recently re-branded Coral Coast “where culture, tradition and nature meet” initiative to raise its profile on the New Zealand travel scene.

For further information, please contact Tourism Fiji’s Regional Marketing Officer New Zealand, Ms Ragigia Dawai at ragigia@tourismfijinz.com

FIJI MAKES DREAMS COME TRUE FOR COCA COLA HAPPINESS AMBASSADORS

Visiting 117 countries in six months as part of a Coca Cola sponsored program to discover what makes people around the world happy, three international students taking part in the Expedition 206 event are in no doubt that Fiji qualifies as one of the happiest places on the planet after their recent visit.

Arriving in Fiji the trio – Tony Martin from Washington DC, Kelly Ferris from Brussels and Antonio Santiago from Mexico City – were given a true taste of Fiji’s ‘Bula Spirit’ immediately upon arrival at Nadi International Airport thanks to a very smooth express assist provided by Airports Fiji Limited.

The three ambassadors took time to go face to face with the Fijian people via a comprehensive program organised by Tourism Fiji.

This included a visit to Viseisei Village, a cultural performance at the Westin Fiji Resort, and an Oohlala cruise to Savala island.

A highlight of the overall visit was the opportunity to catch international singer Toni Willie’s performance as part of the Nadi leg of the recent ‘Golden Memories’ tour.

According to Tony Martin, while Fiji offers some of the most beautiful beaches, islands and resorts to be found anywhere in the world, Fiji’s greatest tourist attraction is its happy people. Mission – happily - accomplished.

For further information, please contact Tourism Fiji’s Senior Marketing Officer, Mr Thomas Valentine at tvalentine@tourismfiji.com.fj

TOURISM FIJI URGES 5.8 MILLION AUSSIE’S TO ‘ESCAPE’ TO FIJI

Spreading the ‘Spirit of Fiji’ and some very timely South Pacific sunshine across a chilly Australia, Tourism Fiji has targeted an estimated 5.8 million Aussies via the pages of a special 24-page Fiji feature to be distributed in major east coast cities nationally from 15 August.

The partnership with News Limited represents the national tourist office’s biggest ever undertaking in Australian destination marketing with the Fiji feature to be distributed in magazine format in three of the country’s biggest Sunday publications.

These include the Sunday Telegraph in New South Wales, the Sunday Herald Sun in Victoria and the Sunday Mail in Queensland with the Fiji feature to be inserted in News Limited’s high profile ‘Escape’ travel section.

The main initiative kicks off on 15 August when Queenslanders will be the first to view the special edition in the Sunday Mail.

For more information, please contact Tourism Fiji’s Regional Director Australia, Mr Paresh Pant at ppant@tourismfijioz.com

TOURISM FIJI UPDATES AUCKLAND REGION MATAIS

Further strengthening its relationship with its New Zealand Fiji Matai agents, Tourism Fiji with the support of several Fiji-based industry members has staged update seminars for 47 of its specialist consultants in the Auckland region.

The events provided the national tourist office with a timely opportunity to bring the agents up to speed on the latest developments taking place within the destination.

The Auckland event is one of a number of similar networking updates Tourism Fiji has scheduled across New Zealand in coming months with a major educational visit to Fiji scheduled for November.

Tourism Fiji’s partners in the exercise included the Radisson Resort Fiji Denarau Island, Plantation Island Resort and Lomani Island Resort, the Warwick Fiji Resort & Spa and the Naviti Resort.

For further information, please contact Tourism Fiji’s Regional Marketing Officer New Zealand, Ms Ragigia Dawai at ragigia@tourismfijinz.com

FIJI TOURISM FORUM

Underlining Fiji’s ever-growing ability to cater to the international C&I market, the Plantation Island Resort Convention Centre, the destination’s newest meetings facility, hosted this year’s Fiji Tourism Forum which took place on 20 August.

The event offers a forum for all stakeholders directly and indirectly related to tourism to come together for a one day event to brainstorm on issues directly affecting the industry.

The forum also serves as an opportunity for Fiji’s tourism industry to meet with their counterparts from the government, investment and environment sectors and discuss ways in which they can forge greater working partnerships.

For more information please contact Ms Alisi Lutu alutu@tourismfiji.com.fj

FIJI DOMINATES HONOURS ROLL IN INTERNATIONAL ONLINE FAMILY TRAVEL SURVEY

Underlining Tourism’s Fiji’s ongoing strategy to attract the international family market and the success the national tourist office and industry colleagues are achieving in luring family business to Fiji, the destination has again dominated in two recently released online family travel surveys.

Fiji’s hotels and resorts scored an impressive nine out of a possible ten in an online poll conducted by high profile Australian family travel specialist ‘Holidays with Kids’ to find the most popular family holiday venues in the South Pacific.

The ‘Holidays with Kids’ poll result comes hot on the heels of another recent poll conducted by influential online travel advisory service ‘Trip Advisor’ which named four Fijian hotels and resorts in its top 10 ‘Best hotels in the South Pacific for family holidays’ survey.

Tourism Fiji CEO Josefa Tuamoto said the results were indicative of the success the national tourist office has achieved in building and further growing the key family market.

An estimated 60,000 registered readers participated in the ‘Holidays with Kids’ poll to which named Shangri-La’s The Fijian Resort & Spa in the number one position spot with eight other Fiji properties claiming the number three to number 10 spots as follows:

1. Shangri-La's Fijian Resort & Spa
2. Warwick Le Lagon Resort and Spa - Vanuatu
3. Outrigger on the Lagoon
4. Plantation Island Resort
5. Castaway Island Resort
6. The Naviti Resort
7. The Warwick Fiji Resort & Spa
8. Sheraton Fiji Resort, Denarau Island
9. Jean Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort
10. Treasure Island Fiji

The Trip Advisor ‘Best hotels in the South Pacific for family holidays’ poll result is as follows:

1. Ashmore Palms Holiday Village (Gold Coast, Queensland – Australia)
2. Malolo Island Resort
3. Outrigger on The Lagoon
4. Castaway Island Resort
5. Atlantis Marcoola (Sunshine Coast, Queensland)
6. Radisson Fiji Resort Denarau Island
7. Saltwater Apartments Port Douglas – (Far North Queensland)
8. The Lakes Cairns Resort & Spa (Far North Queensland)
9. Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort (Gold Coast, Queensland)
10. Oceania Apartments Burleigh Heads (Gold Coast, Queensland)


For further information, please contact Tourism Fiji’s Regional Director Australia, Mr. Paresh Pant at ppant@tourismfijioz.com

AUSTRALIA NICHE EDUCATIONAL TO UNDERLINE FIJI’S BROAD SPECTRUM APPEAL

Underlining Fiji’s ability to satisfy every taste and requirement, Tourism Fiji and several of its key industry partners have combined resources to stage a major Australian travel trade educational from 18-26 August.

The more than 43 Australian industry personnel participating in this event will be split into six groups with each itinerary purpose-themed to offer an insight into Fiji’s ability to appeal to a wide range of travellers and the many activities they can enjoy right across the archipelago.

While in Fiji the groups will visit a variety of locations including Suva, Savusavu, Taveuni, Coral Coast, Nadi, and the Yasawa Islands.

Itinerary themes have been based on ‘Cruise Me’, ‘Sail Me’, ‘Spoil Me’, ‘Thrill Me’, ‘Unravel Me’ and ‘Find Me’ concepts.

Tourism Fiji’s partners in the exercise include Air Pacific and wholesalers Qantas Holidays, Island Escapes, Coral Seas, Harvey’s Choice, Infinity Holidays/Flight Centre and Pinpoint Travel Group.

For further information, please contact Tourism Fiji’s Regional Marketing Officer Australia, Ms Vivienne Valentine at viv@tourismfijioz.com

FIJI TO PARTICIPATE AT 23rd GUAM MICRONESIA ISLAND FAIR

Tourism Fiji will be participating at the Guam Micronesia Island Fair from 15 – 17 October 2010. Coordinated by the Guam Visitors Bureau the event is primarily a showcase of both Guamanian and Micronesian cultures.

However the event also draws entrepreneurs, artists, cultural performers and many of the South Pacific regions national tourist offices and travel industry representatives.

This year marks the 23rd anniversary of the event which will be based on a ‘Celebrating the taste of Micronesia’ theme.

For further information, please contact Tourism Fiji’s Marketing Services Manager, Ms Adeline Lee-Erasito at alee@tourismfiji.com.fj

TF USA ON LINE TO ATTRACT 1,000 AGENTS IN UPCOMING B2B ‘VIRTUAL SHOW’

Following the success of its initial virtual travel agent training event last year, Tourism Fiji’s US regional office will repeat the online exercise again in October.

Attracting travel agents from the US and Canada and as far afield as Hong Kong and Europe last year, the national tourist office is looking to increase the number of agents trained online in 2009 – a total of 754 – to over 1000 when it stages the two-day event on 04 and 05 October.

Tourism Fiji Regional Director (The Americas) Ili Matatolu said it was imperative for Tourism Fiji to employ technology platforms to provide cost effective solutions to its current marketing challenges.

“Research shows that travel agents remain the number one booking channel for the US market with an estimated 44 per cent using a travel agent for 2010,” she said.

“Fiji’s competition is the global marketplace, it’s no longer an 8.00 am to 5.00 pm world and we must continue to embrace Web 2.0 platforms if we are to engage and educate our partners precisely on what our destination offers to their clients.

Fiji industry partners taking part in Fiji’s virtual show include Intercontinental Fiji Island Resort and Spa, Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort, Captain Cook Cruises, Sigatoka River Safari, Tui Tai Expeditions, Mana Island Resort, Plantation Island Resort, Toberua Island Resort, Vatulele Island Resort, Matangi Island Resort and Sonaisali Island Resort.

Wholesaler partners include Travel 2, All About Travel and PacificIslandsTravel.com.

For more information, please contact Tourism Fiji’s Regional Director North America, Ms Ili Matatolu at ili@tourismfijius.com

TOURISM FIJI TO ATTEND ITB ASIA 2010

Tourism Fiji and industry partners will attend ITB Asia 2010 scheduled from 20 – 22 October.

Taking place over three days, ITB Asia has become the primary event for the Asia-Pacific travel industry and an important date on the annual international hospitality and tourism sector EXPO calendar.

For further information, please contact Tourism Fiji’s Marketing Services Manager, Ms Adeline Lee-Erasito at alee@tourismfiji.com.fj

LEVUKA RELEASES NEW BROCHURE

Taking steps to cement Levuka as a new alternative destination within the overall Fiji tourism framework, the Levuka Tourism Association has this month produced a new travel brochure designed to showcase the central region’s appeal to both an international and domestic travel audience.

The release of the brochure follows on from a recent visit to Levuka by Tourism Fiji CEO Josefa Tuamoto who has pledged his organisation’s support to the central region’s tourism industry in its efforts to increase awareness of the Levuka/Lomaiviti region’s latent tourism potential.

Congratulating the Levuka Tourism Association on its proactive stance, Mr Tuamoto said he was delighted with the move which would act as a primary catalyst for an increase in visitor arrivals to this historical and culturally rich region.

For further information, please contact Tourism Fiji Marketing Officer, Ms. Tupou Moe’ofo at tmoeofo@tourismfiji.com.fj

AIR PACIFIC ANNOUNCES NEW CHECK-IN TIME

Fiji’s national carrier Air Pacific has announced it will be implementing new check-in times for all customers effective 15 September 2010 with passengers will now be required to check-in no later than one hour before departure for all Air Pacific flights from Nadi and Nausori international airports in Fiji.

This same one hour requirement will also apply to all flights from Apia, Christmas Island, Funafuti, Nuku’alofa and Tarawa. Passengers arriving at the airport and attempting to check in after this time will not be permitted to board. They will, however, be allowed to rebook their ticket on a subsequent flight for a fee.

Operating hours for all Air Pacific check-in counters will remain the same with check-in counters opened to customers three hours before departure.

Air Pacific Managing Director and CEO Dave Pflieger said the new check-in and flight close-out times are intended to improve the airline's on time performance.

“On time performance is a basic requirement for any airline and this new policy should help address the cause of many of our flight delays,” he said.

For more information visit www.airpacific.com

INTERCONTINENTAL FIJI APPOINTS NEW GENERAL MANAGER

The InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa has appointed Scott Williams as general manager.

Mr Williams’ experience includes several roles with IHG in Australia and China, most recently as general manager at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Beijing.

For further information, please contact Ms Marika Lucas at marika@starrpr.com.au

BLUE LAGOON RELEASES 2010 / 2011 ‘HISTORIAL & CULTURAL DATELINE CRUISE’ SCHEDULE

Fiji’s iconic Blue Lagoon Cruises is again offering a rare opportunity to visit Fiji’s remote north-eastern reaches with the release of its 2010 and 2011 ‘Historical & Cultural Dateline Cruise’ program.

The boutique island cruise specialist‘s offer applies to the 22 November 2010, 16 May and 14 November 2011 sailings.

Offering a unique insight into an area extending well beyond the Fiji Island’s more popular cruise routes, highlights of the seven day cruise programs include the secluded islands of Kioa and Rabi, a visit the international date line on Taveuni, a Yadua Passage crossing, the picturesque port of Savusavu, the Drudrua and Kavewa Islands and Macuata on the north-eastern part of Vanua Levu.

For more information please visit www.bluelagooncruises.com

‘ART ON THE ISLAND V’ FESTIVAL AT SOFITEL FIJI RESORT & SPA

Offering an opportunity for many of Fiji’s artists and craftsman to demonstrate their unique skills, the ‘Art on the island V’ festival set to take place at the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa in October 2010. A gala event to launch the eight-day exhibition at the resort will take place on 01 October.

Local artists displaying their work will include Maria Rova, Joe Bilbu and Lautoka artist Apimeleki Vakarau, a quadriplegic and talented artist who draws while lying on a mattress on the floor using ink pen on bark cloth.

Exhibits of local ceramic, pottery, drawings, sculpture and handicrafts will also be displayed at the event.

For further information, please contact Ms Rebecca Freestun at Rebecca freestun@accor.com

GETTING TO THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM - MATAVA AND HYDROSPORTS DIVE CENTRE PROVIDE DENTAL CARE FOR KADAVU VILLAGERS

Demonstrating the benefits of tourism to all Fijians, Matava - Eco Adventure Resort and HydroSports Dive & Travel have combined resources to bring a US dental team to provide dental care to the people of Kadavu Koro village.

More than 200 villagers benefited from the visit, a key part of which was teaching the village children basic dental hygiene with 75 kids attending a ‘how to brush your teeth properly’ session.

For further information, please visit www.matava.com

SAILING REGATTA

With the Mamanuca Islands forming a spectacular backdrop, Fiji’s biggest sailboat extravaganza the Musket Cove Regatta will take place from 10-16 September.

One of the destinations’ most anticipated and picturesque annual marine events more than 100 yachties, including a number of international sailors, have registered for the event to date.

For more information please visit www.musketcovefiji.com.

CAPTAIN COOK CRUISES OFFERS MAMANUCA ISLAND PASSENGES PICK-UPS

Captain Cook Cruises is offering new pick-up points for its guests staying at Mamanuca Island resorts prior to joining the cruise company’s Yasawa Island cruise itineraries.

Effective immediately MV Reef Endeavour will moor off Honeymoon Island near Castaway Island at 1800 hours every Saturday night allowing guests to transfer to the vessel for a three or seven-night Yasawa Islands cruise.

Plantation Island Resort, Musket Cove Island Resort & Marina, Lomani Island Resort, Malolo Island Resort, Likuliku Lagoon Resort, Castaway Island Resort and Mana Island Resort & Spa have all offered guest’s complimentary boat transfers as part of the new program.

Both the three night and seven night cruises depart Denarau Marina every Saturday.

For further information, please visit www.captaincookcruises.com

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