FIJI RECORDS BEST EVER SEPTEMBER FOR AU VISITOR ARRIVALS

Figures released this week by Fiji’s Bureau of Statistics show the destination chalked up yet another new Australian visitor arrival record with a total of 30,253 Australians – an average of 1008 people per day – visiting the destination across September.

The 30,253 figure represents a 14.8 per cent increase over the 26,342 Australian visitor arrivals recorded for September 2009.

The September 2010 numbers take Fiji’s Australian visitor arrivals for the nine month period to 208,424.This represents a 28.6 per cent increase on figures recorded for the same period in 2009 – 162,112 - with Australian business to Fiji now representing 45.6 per cent of all international visitor arrivals.

The Australian figures again helped push Fiji’s international arrivals for September to new heights with the destination attracting 58,193 visitors, a 5.8 per cent increase over the 54,981 achieved in 2009.

Total visitor arrivals January-September reached 456,588, a 16.3 per cent increase over the 392,535 figure achieved for the same period in 2009 with all major markets showing growth over the nine month period.

These included New Zealand (plus 7.9 per cent), the USA (plus 7.9 per cent), and the UK/EU (plus 1.6 per cent).

The national tourist office’s ongoing efforts in its key emerging markets were once again rewarded with visitor arrivals from China and India increasing by 23.3 per cent and 28.3 per cent, respectively, for the nine month period.

For further information, please contact Tourism Fiji’s Marketing Services Manager, Ms Adeline Lee Erasito at alee@tourismfiji.com.fj or Marketing Officer, Mr Iowane Naivalurua at inaivalurua@tourismfiji.com.fj

MOVIE ME! – BOLLYWOOD SPOTLIGHT FOCUSES ON FIJI POTENTIAL

Fiji government and tourism officials are confident the destination is set to become a prime location for future ‘Bollywood’ movies following a hugely successful reconnaissance visit last month by key Indian film industry representatives.

The government, Tourism Fiji and local tourism industry this week combined resources to lay out the red carpet to a delegation of six of the biggest players in the Indian film industry. The main intention of the visit was to impress upon the group the many incentives and facilities the Fiji government has to offer.

But the star attraction without doubt was Fiji itself in its capacity as a fresh new source of exciting and exotic movie locations.

Attorney General and Minister for Tourism, Mr Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum, who has played in a key role in inviting the movie moguls to Fiji, was on hand to meet the delegation in Suva at the Holiday Inn Suva

While with the group the minister, who was accompanied by senior representatives from the Fiji Audio Visual Commission, outlined the broad variety of incentives the Fiji government has pledged in order to assist the Indian film industry in Fiji. These include tax incentives for film productions and logistical support for visiting production crews and cast members.

Locations visited included the Sigatoka Valley where the crew experienced a Sigatoka River Safari, the Pacific and Coral Coasts, Denarau and the Mamanuca Islands.

Tourism Fiji CEO Josefa Tuamoto said the visit had proven a major success with initial feedback received from the group indicating their surprise and interest in the huge variety of fresh and unusual movie locations on offer across the Fiji islands.

“This visit provided us with an excellent opportunity to fully impress our visitors with the knowledge that Fiji has the facilities and can compete with any other international location as a prime source of film locations.

”Key to everything is the huge benefit Fiji stands to receive as a result of this opportunity – not only from the perspective of foreign currency earnings but also as a major windfall for our aspirations in attracting ever-increasing visitor arrival figures from the sub-continent.”

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

TOURISM FIJI TO STAGE EXPANDED 2011 INDIA WORKSHOP SERIES

Following the success of its 2010 India travel industry workshops Tourism Fiji has announced it will repeat the exercise later this month.

Taking place from 31 January – 04 February, the national tourist office and industry principals will again visit Delhi and Mumbai and, for the first time, Chennai and Hyderabad, the respective fifth and sixth most populous cities on the sub-continent.

The main thrust of the visit is again to educate several hundred Indian travel consultants on the potential Fiji offers as a new and alternative destination for their clients and the ease with which they can now reach the destination via Air Pacific’s recently increased Hong Kong-Nadi services.

Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Anti-Corruption, Industry and Trade, Public Enterprises, Communications, Civil Aviation and Tourism, Mr Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum will be heading the team which will also include Tourism Fiji CEO, Mr Josefa Tuamoto and Marketing Services Manager, Ms Adeline Erasito.

For further information, please contact Tourism Fiji’s Marketing Officer, Mr Kiniviliame Raicebe at kraicebe@tourismfiji.com.fj

KONNICHIWA JAPAN

Tourism Fiji will hold a two-day Japan travel industry workshop taking place in Osaka from 20-21 January 2011. Venues for the event will be the ANZ Crowne Plaza Hotel and the Shirogane Happoen.

The two-day workshop is seen as an excellent opportunity to personally meet with Fiji’s Japanese trade partners, address current challenges and plan the way forward for Fiji to resume its stance as a major holiday destination of choice for the Japanese market.

For further information, please contact Tourism Fiji’s Marketing Officer, Ms Inise Mucunabitu at imucunabitu@tourismfiji.com.fj

BIT MILAN & ITB BERLIN 2011

Tourism Fiji will once again attend two of Europe’s biggest travel trade events in 2011 – ITB Berlin and BIT Milan.

BIT Milan is scheduled between 17-20 February while ITB Berlin will take place from 09-13 March 9th. While the first three days of the event are dedicated to trade visitors only, the show is also opened up to the general public on the last two days.

For more information please contact Tourism Fiji’s

, Mr Thomas Valentine at tvalentine@tourismfiji.com.fj

FIJI TO MAKE MAIDEN APPEARANCE AT MOSCOW DIVE SHOW

As part of Tourism Fijis strategic direction and in keeping with the Fiji Government’s objective of tapping into emerging markets, the destination’s dive segment has identified the Moscow International Festival (Golden Dolphin) as the major dive show and a must attend event for emergent opportunity within the lucrative Russian dive market.

Taking place from 17-20 February the event annually attracts some 200 exhibitors from over 36 countries and is also covered by more than 120 accredited international media.

Beqa Island Resort has already indicated it will join Tourism Fiji in Moscow.

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

AON FIJI EXCELLENCE AWARDS

The 14th annual AON Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards will take place on 25 February 2011 at the Warwick Fiji Resort & Spa.

More than 350 industry representatives and their guests are expected to attend the event, features of which will be a three-course dinner and live entertainment.

The 2011 event will feature two new awards – “Wine Waiter of the Year’ and ‘Barista of the Year’ – competition for which will take place at the Naviti Resort on 26 and 27 February 2011.

For further information, please contact Tourism Fiji’s Marketing Officer and Aon Fiji Excellence Tourism Awards Secretariat, Ms Kelly Eastgate at keastgate@tourismfiji.com.fj

TOURISM FIJI APPOINTS SENIOR MARKETING OFFICER

Tourism Fiji has announced the appointment of Ms Sera Cawanibuka as senior marketing officer, effective immediately

Ms Cawanibuka first joined the national tourist office in 2002 as a graduate trainee officer before being promoted to the role of marketing officer. In 2008 she was transferred to Tourism Fiji's Los Angeles office as Regional Marketing Officer.

Ms Cawanibuka will now be based at the national tourism head office in Namaka, Nadi.

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

OPRAH’S VISIT A BLESSING FOR FIJI

A weeklong visit by America’s famous and influential talk show host Oprah Winfrey last month has thrust Fiji directly into the international spotlight.

Oprah arrived for a hectic Australia-wide tour to unwind in Fiji, staying at Laucala Island, an exclusive seven-star private resort owned by Dietrich Mateschitz who also owns the popular energy drink Red Bull.

Tourism Fiji CEO Josefa Tuamoto said visits such as these speak volumes for themselves when it comes to marketing Fiji tourism to the rest of the world.

“Oprah’s decision in selecting Fiji speaks volumes of our reputation as one of the best holiday destinations in the world and the perfect place for anyone to unwind and relax and enjoy all that Fiji and the Fijian people have to offer its visitors,” he said.

For further information, please contact the CEO’s office at aledua@tourismfiji.com.fj

YASAWA ISLAND RESORT REOPENS

Following a month’s long major refurbishment program Yasawa Island Resort has now officially reopened for business.

Added guest facilities include a new boutique, new library and a new arrivals lounge for guest check-in while all beach bures and villas have been upgraded and newly thatched.

New dining facilities include an al fresco dining room offering ocean and pool view plus a new air-conditioned wine room which the resort management says is perfect for private dinner parties.

For more information visit www.yasawa.com.

HARD ROCK CAFÉ CELEBRATES 3RD ANNIVERSARY

Celebrating its third anniversary last month and in true keeping with its philanthropic ideals, the Hard Rock Café in Port Denarau performed three very worthy deeds to mark the occasion.

On 01 December Hard Rock Café staff hosted children from Nadi Special School to a special lunch treat, the kids enjoying a fun filled day taking part in various activities and entertainment.

On 09 December, it was the turn of senior citizens from The Golden Age Home who were given the opportunity to rock it on with the staff, several of them even joining staff in the Café’s signature dance theme – YMCA.

Act three was carried off across the entire month when staff and clients alike all contributed funds and basic necessities all of which were presented to 50 deserving local families in the lead up to Christmas.

For further information, please contact Jacks of Fiji Marketing Coordinator, Ms Sanjiya Devi at sanjiya@jacksfiji.com or visit www.jacksfiji.com

WILD ADVENTURE PARK OPENS

A new attraction for Fiji and a great way for all the family to enjoy some great outdoor soft adventure activities, the Kila World Adventure Park located in Nabukavesi, Namosi, officially opened its doors on 31 December.

The park is a fun filled paradise offering several exciting options including low rope to high rope activities, zip lines, forest hikes and more.

Kila is the Fijian for ‘wild’.

For further information, please contact kilatours@kilaworld.com or visit www.kilaworld.com

2011 MARRIAGE FEES INCREASES IN VAT

SIGATOKA RIVER SAFARI WELCOMES 15TH VILLAGE TO THE TOUR

The Sigatoka River Safari has officially welcomed its 15th village into its award-winning program with the inclusion of Navula Village.

Home to 150 Fijians, Navula Village will now be visited by tourists one day a week for six months of the year, the visits having a major impact on the village’s annual income which will increase significantly through donations from tourists on the tour and from Sigatoka River Safari which pays a percentage of all fares directly to villages visited.

The additional funds have been put to great use by the 14 villages already included in the tour, going towards new communal facilities, footpaths, community halls, district schools and churches.

Sigatoka River Safari founder Jay Whyte and his team have also been instrumental in helping many of the Sigatoka River village communities in improving facilities to the benefit of all.

These include installation of new Easy-Tel phone systems, fixed water filters in every village for clean drinking water, provision of life jackets for when villagers cross the river to reduce the incidence of drowning and most recently, installation of a bore hole in the local Naqalimare District School.

For further information please contact Owner, Mr Jay White at jay@sigatokariver.com

HELI-TOURS FIJI TAKES FLIGHT

Fiji’s newest rotary wing operation Heli-Tours Fiji is now up and flying following its successful launch last December.

Located on the Nadi-Denarau road just outside the main gate to Denarau Island, the new company is currently offering four scenic flight-seeing tours on board its Robinson 44 helicopter.

These include a 10-minute ‘Fiji Islands Taster’ offering an exhilarating overview of Denarau with its picturesque marina and resorts, a 25-minute ‘Fiji Islands Teaser’ which flies over the Mamanuca Islands and the Sleeping Giant, a 35-minute ‘Fiji Islands Adventure’ that allows guests to fly further out over the Mamanucas and explore deeper into the Evans Range and a 55-minute ‘Fiji Islands Indulgence’ program.

The Robinson 44 helicopter can take up to three passengers plus the pilot and is ideal for sightseeing flights as everyone has a window seat. A minimum of two passengers is required for any flight. Return road transfers are offered to guests between the Heli-Tours Fiji base and Nadi or Denarau Island resorts.

Heli-Tours Fiji also offers several combination packages with several local companies. These include a ‘Fiji Islands Eco River Tour’ in conjunction with the Sigatoka River Safari and a ‘Fiji Islands Heli-Cruise combo including a visit to Savala Island with Storck Cruises.

Heli-Tours Fiji also offers charter services for those looking to create their very own helicopter experience in Fiji.

For more information or to make your booking, please contact the Heli-Tours Fiji pilot Chinook McLean, telephone + 679 992 4940 or email via sales@helitoursfiji.com.

OISHII TEPPANYAKI OPENS AT TOKORIKI ISLAND RESORT

As anyone who has been to Japan will know, ‘Oishii’ is the Japanese word for ‘delicious’ and starting this month, there will be plenty of ‘Oishii’ dining experiences at Tokoriki Island Resort following the opening of the new Oishii Teppanyaki restaurant.

Seating just eight people and surrounded by tranquil water features, the intimate restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner. Head chef is the Devlin Prakash who honed his Japanese cooking skills at Dailkoku Restaurant and more recently the Teppanyaki Restaurant at the seven-star Laucala Island Resort.

For more information please visit www.tokoriki.com.

SOFITEL APPOINTS NEW DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING IN FIJI

Sofitel Luxury Hotels has appointed Nicholas Mina to the role of Director for Sales & Marketing at the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa.

Mr Mina, who joined Sofitel in 2008, was promoted to his new position after two years as the resort’s Director of Conferences & Incentives and will relocate from Sydney to Fiji.

In his new expanded position, he will continue to oversee the resort’s C&I activity and in addition overlook all other segments including the wholesale and leisure markets.

Nicholas takes over the reins from former Director of Sales & Marketing for the Sofitel in Fiji, Heather Gordon.

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

NEW RESORT MANAGER FOR SONAISALI

Sonaisali Island Resort has announced the appointment of Simon Beckett as Resort Manager.

A keen surfer, Simon joins the dynamic senior management team after working in differing management roles in hotels and resorts throughout Australia.

These include the Ritz Carlton Sydney and the Sheraton on the Park Sydney and several high profile properties in New South Wales and Queensland.

For further information, please contact Sales & Marketing Manager, Ms Karyn Blenkiron at sales@sonaisali.com

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