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FIJI CRACKS BEST EVER MAY VISITOR ARRIVALS Hot on the heels of its record breaking April 2010 performance, Fiji’s international tourist intake has surged again with figures released by the Fiji Bureau of Statistics this week showing the destination set a new record for May hosting more than 45,000 visitors. The 45,087 figure eclipses the previous highest ever visitor number recorded for a month of May in Fiji’s tourism history beating the 44,112 set in May 2008. A delighted Tourism FIJI CEO Josefa Tuamoto said the bullish May result brought the total number of international visitors for the five month period to 216,525.
Mr Tuamoto said the May result had been buoyed by yet another very strong performance from the Australian market where figures recorded for the month increased to 21,203, an increase of 6375 visitors over the 14,828 recorded for the same period in 2009. US figures showed good growth as evidenced by a 24.5 per cent mark up, Japan figures were up 34 per cent, South Korea figures rose by 21.5 per cent, Canada figures increased by 14 per cent, EEC figures climbed by seven per cent and New Zealand figures continued their upward trend with a three percent increase. For further information, please contact Tourism Fiji’s Manager Fiji, Ms Fane Vave at fvave@tourismfiji.com.fj or Iowane Naivalurua at inaivalurua@tourismfiji.com.fj |
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TOURISM FIJI WELCOMES REVISED GOVERNMENT BUDGET Tourism Fiji has welcomed the Fiji government’s revised budget announced last week, elements of which CEO Josefa Tuamoto said will have positive impact for several sections of the destination’s tourism infrastructure. These include a new reduced duty on the import of new buses, the rate dropping from 32 per cent to five per cent which will enable several of Fiji’s larger tourism transportation companies to expand their fleets. The cut in duty also applies to the import of jet skis and other water based sporting facilities. Mr Tuamoto said the government’s decision to upgrade the main highway linking Nadi with the Rakiraki region would also play a part in driving up visitor numbers to that part of the destination. For further information please contact Tourism Fiji’s CEO, Mr Josefa Tuamoto at jtuamoto@tourismfiji.com.fj
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AIR PACIFIC NAMES DAVE PFLIEGER NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR & CEO Fiji’s international airline Air Pacific has recently named Dave Pflieger new managing director and CEO. Prior to joining Air Pacific, Pflieger was Virgin America’s general counsel, senior vice president of legal, government affairs & sustainability and vice president of the operations control center. Prior to joining Virgin America, Pflieger was vice president of operations for Delta Airlines low-cost airline subsidiary, ‘Song’, was Delta’s director of flight safety, a chief operations attorney and was a pilot with the company. For further information, please visit www.airpacific.com |
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FIJI’S GREEN ME PROGRAM PROGRESSES 
Fiji’s efforts aimed at becoming the first country to implement a national low carbon travel and tourism sector initiative continues to pick up pace after commencing in June last year. Current initiatives include key stakeholders assisting hotels and resorts in using alternative energy, trialing biodiesel fuel at selected resorts and testing green technology on air conditioning and refrigeration systems. CEO Tourism Fiji Josefa Tuamoto said countries like Fiji, while small, can set the pace for such international initiatives at local level, particularly addressing critical issues that are already affecting our global village on a daily basis. For further information, please contact Tourism Fiji’s CEO, Mr Josefa Tuamoto at jtuamoto@tourismfiji.com.fj |
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KIWI AGENTS ALL AT SEA WITH THE NZ BULA 
Pictured enjoying a balmy South Seas day aboard a Blue Lagoon cruise in Fiji last month, a group of 15 Kiwi agents invited to visit Fiji as part of a New Zealand ‘Bula Babes’* educational program. The boutique cruise company again combined resources with its Accor Fiji, Awesome Adventures/South Sea Cruises and Mana Island Resort & Spa colleagues to host the group which visited various locations within the destination over an eight-day program. Locations included Denarau, Nadi, the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands. Host properties included the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa, Mana Island Resort & Spa in the Mamanucas and Waya Lailai Eco Haven and Coralview Resort in the Yasawas with Rosie Tours providing all ground transport. *The ‘Bula Babes’ consist of Blue Lagoon Cruises’ Sales Manager New Zealand, Mana Island Resort & Spa’s New Zealand representative Trish Nicol, Accor Sales Manager South Pacific Jane Reese and Awesome Adventures/South Sea Cruises Manager New Zealand Tracey Brennan. For further information, please contact Tourism Fiji’s PR Consultant, Mr Mike Parker Brown at mikeparkerbrown@aapt.net.au |
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TOURISM FIJI MAKES ITS HONG KONG DEBUT 
Providing the perfect platform for Fiji’s tourism industry to showcase its latest products and at the same time build new relationships within the burgeoning China market, a large group of industry representatives headed by Tourism Fiji last month made its debut at ITE Hong Kong. One of the Asia region’s biggest annual consumer travel shows ITE Hong Kong has grown in just five years to become one of North Asia’s most significant events with more than 30 per cent of its regional trade and corporate visitors coming from mainland China and other parts of Asia. As expected the 10-13 June event drew huge numbers of quality visitors and trade exhibitors with more than 80 per cent of those exhibiting emanating from outside of China. Tourism Fiji’s partners in the exercise included Rosie Holidays, Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort, Radisson Resort Fiji Denarau Island, Sheraton & Westin Resorts Fiji, the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa, Musket Cove Island Resort & Marina, ATS Pacific, Sonaisali Island Resort, Nukubati Island Great Sea Reef and the Fiji Orchid. For more information please contact Tourism Fiji’s Marketing Services Manager, Ms Adeline Lee-Erasito at alee@tourismfiji.com.fj |
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TOURISM FIJI – NEW ZEALAND INDULGES MATAI AGENTS WITH LUXURY FIJI EXPERIENCE 
Tourism Fiji - New Zealand and Air New Zealand last month gave a key group of Fiji Matai specialist travel agents an opportunity to sample the destination’s first class product first hand as part of a five-day ‘Indulge Me – Fiji Me’ familiarisation. Timed to coincide with a new winter burst of its highly successful ‘Lucky Me – Fiji Me’ campaign, Tourism Fiji regional director New Zealand Sala Toganivalu said the main thrust of the exercise was to remind agents of the high quality, very top end product the destination is able to offer the discerning Kiwi traveller. While in Fiji two groups of agents visited different luxury hotels and resorts on the big island of Viti Levu, on the ‘garden island’ of Taveuni and in the Yasawa Islands. These included the Qamea Beach Resort & Spa, Matangi Island Resort, Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa, Vomo Island Resort, Vatulele Island Resort, Fiji Beach Resort & Spa (Hilton), Fiji Orchid, Radisson Fiji Denarau Island Resort and the Intercontinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa. Both groups’ itineraries also included the opportunity to sample several exciting, adventure-filled activities ranging from hot air ballooning with Adrenalin Fiji and jet boating on the Sigatoka River Safari. A visit to the Peckham Pearl Farm and the Pure Fiji factory in Suva was also included. For further information, please contact Tourism Fiji’s Regional Marketing Officer, New Zealand, Ms Ragigia Dawai at ragigia@tourismfijinz.com |
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TOURISM FIJI NEW ZEALAND LAUNCHES MATAI INCENTIVE Tourism Fiji has launched a new sales-based incentive program offering Matai specialist agents the opportunity to win a seven night Fiji holiday for two people complete with airfares ex-Auckland. As part of the incentive which runs from now until 31 October, the national tourist office will each month give away a $100 Westfield shopping voucher to the Matai specialist agent making the most Fiji bookings every month. The seven-day prize will be given to the Matai specialist agent making the most bookings across the entire incentive period. Monthly winners will be announced during the first week of each new month while the winner of the seven-day holiday will be announced in November. For further information, please contact Tourism Fiji’s Regional Marketing Officer, New Zealand, Ms Ragigia Dawai at ragigia@tourismfijinz.com |
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TOURISM FIJI NZ NAMES FIRST MATAI INCENTIVE PRIZE WINNER 
Flight Centre Travel Broker Kim Mildon has become the first consultant to win a $100 Westfield shopping voucher as part of the recently launched Tourism Fiji’s Matai Fiji specialist agents’ incentive. For further information, please contact Tourism Fiji’s Regional Information officer, New Zealand, Mr Esava Nadalo at Esava@tourismfijinz.com |
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TOURISM FIJI CAPITALIZES ON BUILDING INTEREST IN ‘LAND OF THE MORNING CALM’ 
Building on ever increasing numbers from South Korea Tourism Fiji recently staged a major ‘Korea Road Show’ promotion in Seoul from 07-09 June. Industry colleagues joining the national tourist office in the event included Mana Island Resort & Spa, Sheraton Fiji, Sonaisali Island Resort, Castaway Island, Outrigger on the lagoon Fiji and the Westin Denarau Island Resort & Spa. More than 70 delegates attended the event held at the Ibis Myeongdong in the South Korean capital. The event was also covered by local media. Tourism Fiji CEO Josefa Tuamoto said the event was extremely timely given the fact that the number of South Korean visitors to Fiji have increased by more than 40 per cent over the first four months of this year - from 1683 in 2009 to 2408 for the corresponding period in 2010. For more information, please contact Tourism Fiji’s Marketing Services Manager, Adeline Lee Erasito on email alee@tourismfiji.com.fj |
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FIJI HOSTS GOGO WORLDWIDE VACATIONS LEARNING CONFERENCE Tourism Fiji - The Americas, Air Pacific and its industry partners secured a major opportunity for Fiji when the destination recently hosted the Gogo Worldwide Vacations Learning Conference from 17-20 May. According to Regional Director – The Americas Ili Matatolu this was the biggest number of agents Fiji has ever hosted from the USA, and particularly from the East Coast. “It was a great opportunity for us to showcase the destination and its diverse vacation experiences”. While in Fiji the agents were given the opportunity to partake in a Kava ceremony, Lei making class and some ‘hands on cooking.’ The program also included a Captain Cook Cruise. For further information, please contact Tourism Fiji Regional Marketing Officer, the Americas, Ms Sera Cawanibuka at sera@tourismfijius.com |
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TOURISM FIJI VIRTUAL EXPO SET FOR 04 & 05 OCTOBER 2010 Tourism Fiji has announced the live dates of its second VIRTUAL FIJI ME Expo after hosting its successful inaugural expo last year. The ‘live dates’ of the expo are Monday 04 October and Tuesday 05 October from 9am to 1pm PST. The event will be ‘on demand’ online for an additional 120 days. For further information, please contact Tourism Fiji’s Regional Director, the Americas, Ms Ili Matatolu at ili@tourismfijius.com |
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PACIFIC SUN CEASES SERVICE TO RESORTS IN MAMANUCAS GROUP’
Pacific Sun, Fiji’s domestic airline, will be withdrawing services to and from Mana (MNF) and Malololailai (PTF) effective July 1, 2010. A lack of economic performance for the last three years has dictated the decision to cease scheduled services. Pacific Sun has extended charter services to its resort partners to maintain air service links between the islands and Nadi International Airport. All passengers ticketed and holding reservations after June 30, 2010, will be offered a full refund on value of their tickets for unutilized services from the point of sale, and travel will be honored on consolidated services for ticketed passengers. For further information on charter services between Nadi and Mamanucas, please contact Plantation Island Resort (reserve@plantationisland.com) Musket Cove Island Resort (reservations@musketcovefiji.com) and Lomani Island Resort (reserve@lomaniisland.com) For further information, please visit www.airpacific.com |
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NEW ACCOR SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM FOR FIJI 
Accor Asia Pacific has announced the appointment of Lee Pearce as Area General Manager – Multi-brand Hotels Fiji and General Manager, Novotel Nadi. Mr Pearce, whose last post was in Wellington where he managed Ibis and Novotel brand hotels, replaces Paul Archer who is transferring with Accor to India. Mr Pearce’s appointment is one of two other senior Accor positions announced for the company’s Fiji operation. These include Adam Laker, who has been appointed General Manager of the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa and Simon Harper who has been appointed General Manager of the Mercure Nadi Hotel. For further information, please contact the PR & Communications personnel, Ms Rebecca Freestun at rebecca.freestun@accor.com |
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ROYAL DAVUI SCORES TOP LUXURY TRAVEL NETWORK RECOGNITION Royal Davui Island has become only the second Fiji resort to achieve membership in the very prestigious by-invitation-only luxury travel network, Virtuoso. The exclusive adults-only sanctuary situated in Fiji's spectacular Beqa Lagoon joins The Wakaya Club & Spa in attaining the Virtuoso listing. For further information, please visit www.royaldavui.com |
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BEQA LAGOON RESORT HOT FOOTS IT WITH OPENING OF LALI SPA 
Further underscoring Fiji’s ever-growing stance as the ‘spa capital of the South Pacific’ the Beqa Lagoon Resort has unveiled the destination’s newest first-class spa facility – the Lali Spa. Signature treatments include a ‘Firewalker stone massage’ and a hot seashell massage which tie into nearby Beqa island’s fame as the home to Fiji’s unique fire walkers. For further information, please contact Ms Debra Pekarcik at debra@beqalagoonresort.com |
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RIVERS FIJI SENDS GUIDE & MANAGER TO U.S FOR FOUR MONTH TRAINING Rivers Fiji, which has spent the past 14 years working to establish itself as one of Fiji’s most recognized tour operators in cooperation with the US-based OARS company which operates white water rafting and sea kayaking trips in North Americas, has sent long-time guide and manager Basilio Cakaunivalu on a four-month training trip to the United States. Basilio will visit the Western United States, visiting various OARS operations in California, Oregon, Wyoming, Utah, and Arizona. Basilio has been awarded two scholarships to aid in his training -- the first from OARS to attend their advanced guide school, and the second from the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) to attend whitewater and leadership training For further information, please visit www.riversfiji.com |
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INTERCONTINENTAL FIJI GOLF RESORT CONDENAST AWARD WIN PRECEDES OPENING OF FIRST CLUB IN FIJI 
InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa has been included in the 2010 Conde Nast Traveler Hot List, one of only three South Pacific hotels and resorts to make the definitive list of the world’s best new hotels. Its position on the Hot List coincides with the opening dates for the resort’s new Club InterContinental. Once unveiled, InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa will be the only resort in Fiji to offer a Club product for its premium guests. For further information visit www.intercontinental.com.fj |
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FIJI ORCHID IDEAL RETREAT FOR DAY ROOM USE 
The ideal venue for dayroom use or a short stop on Fiji’s main Island of Viti Levu, travellers are raving about the Fiji Orchid. The Fiji Orchid provides a perfect sanctuary near Nadi where travelers can relax and refresh before or after a trip within Fiji. The resort was once the treasured property of legendary actor Raymond Burr, the Hollywood star of Perry Mason and Ironside. The resort boasts a bistro style restaurant with wide verandahs, club style lounge and a bar. Six freestanding bures are beautifully surrounded by Burr’s five-acres of lush vegetation and orchid gardens. Dayroom use is available from 1:00 pm. to 9:00 pm. For further information, visit www.fijiorchid.com |
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PILATES WORKSHOPS AND FREE NIGHT AT NAVUTU STARS World renowned Pilates teacher Serena Bitterli of Switzerland’s Gymline Fitness for Women will offer daily classes at Navutu Stars Resort from March 2011. For further information, visit www.navutustarsfiji.com |
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NAMALE TO FEATURE IN NBC REALITY SHOW Namale Resort & Spa will feature in “Break Through with Tony Robbins” a reality show that airs on NBC at 8pm. ‘Break Through with Tony Robbins’ replaces NBC’s highest rated show “The Biggest loser”. The show is scheduled to air beginning Tuesday 27th July 2010 at 8pm. For further information, please contact Namale Resort & Spa’s Director of Sales & Marketing, Mr Hudson Mitchell at hudson@namaleresort.com |
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MALOLO CAT REVISES SCHEDULE With Pacific Sun withdrawing services to Malolo Lailai, Leeward Island Services which is responsible for the operation of the Malolo Cat ferry has revised its ferry schedule to accommodate guests by introducing an additional service and adjusting its current schedule. The new timetable which is valid from Thursday, 01st July 2010 is as follows: 
For further information, please contact General Manager, Mr Barry Sheltrun at bjsheltrum@connect.com.fj
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If you have any news items you wish to submit to Bul@tin, please send your copy on MS word and any supporting pictures as JPEG images to fijimebulatin@tourismfiji.com.fj |
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