FIJI SETS NEW APRIL INTERNATIONAL VISITOR ARRIVAL RECORD

Keeping Fiji back on track for a record breaking year, the country’s international visitor arrival figures have continued to climb with figures released by Tourism Fiji for April 2010 showing a 13.2 per cent increase over the corresponding period in 2009.

This result marks the highest ever visitor arrivals for the month of April in the history of Fiji tourism and Tourism Fiji is optimistic that if this trend continues the national tourism office numbers will surpass targets set for the year.
Fiji welcomed a total of 44,496 international visitors throughout the month compared with the 39,302 figure recorded for the same period in 2009.

The 44,496 figure represents Fiji’s strongest April performance since 2006 when it welcomed 42,860 international visitors.

The April result brings total numbers for the first four months of this year to 171,438 for the four-month period, that figure eclipsing the 2009 result of 139,642 by an impressive 22.8 per cent.

For further information, please contact Tourism Fiji’s Manager Fiji, Ms Fane Vave at fvave@tourismfiji.com.fj

MINISTER FOR TOURISM MEETS WITH KEY UAE TRADE AND TOURISM OFFICIALS

Attorney General and Minister for Tourism Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum travelled to the United Arab Emirates to meet and discuss opportunities for trade and tourism to Fiji with senior business and travel management.

The Minister’s visit underlines the rich potential the Middle East market represents to Fiji, both as a prime source of visitor arrivals and business,

While in Dubai the minister also met with the management of Apollo Flight Centre, the company recently appointed as Tourism Fiji’s and Air Pacific‘s general sales agent (GSA) in the region.

The Minister’s visit is seen as a case of striking while the iron is hot, following just weeks after Tourism Fiji made its initial foray into the lucrative source market as a first-time exhibitor at the 2010 Arabian Travel Market.

Tourism Fiji is confident the new channels it has opened up at the event will play a key role in helping the national tourist office meet its ambitious tourism targets and further diversify market share beyond its traditional source markets.

For further information, please contact Tourism Fiji’s Manager Fiji, Ms Fane Vave at fvave@tourismfiji.com.fj

ANZ AGAIN STEPS IN AS MAJOR SPONSOR FOR FIJI TOURISM FORUM

Extremely appropriate given the “Tourism: Inspiring Fiji’s future - stepping forward into tomorrow” theme for the 2010 Fiji Tourism Forum, the ANZ Bank has once again ‘stepped up’ to act as the major sponsor for this year’s event.

ANZ Head of Tourism and Regional Executive West, Mr Mikash Ali has presented a cheque for $17,500 to the Chairman of Fiji Tourism Forum Planning Committee, Mr Damend Gounder at the forum’s official launch last week.

ANZ will be joined by co-sponsors ATS (Air Terminal Services), Air Pacific and Telecom Fiji Limited.

Each of the three organizations is contributing $7,500 to the event which is for the first time is scheduled to take place in the Mamanuca Islands at Plantation Island Resort on Friday 20 August.

More than 250 delegates representing the tourism industry at large, government dignitaries, officials and private sector representatives are expected to attend this year.

For further information, please contact Tourism Fiji’s Marketing Officer & Fiji Tourism Forum Secretariat, Ms Alisi Lutu at alutu@tourismfiji.com.fj

LOOKING AT THE BIG PICTURE WITH TOURISM FIJI

Tourism Fiji has ushered in a new direction for its high profile ‘Lucky Me - Fiji Me’ TV advertising campaign.

The national tourist office this week successfully transferred the award - winning advertisement from the small screen to the big screen with the launch of a four-month long nationwide cinema advertising campaign.

The advertisement will be shown as a trailer for approximately 400 movies per week in 58 theatres across New Zealand – that equates to more than 370,000 separate screenings over the 16-week campaign period.

For further information, please contact Tourism Fiji’s Regional Director New Zealand, Ms Sala Toganivalu at sala@tourismfijinz.com

TOURISM FIJI WOOS KIWI AGENTS WITH WEDDING AND HONEYMOON UPDATE

Building on Fiji’s ever growing popularity as the perfect overseas wedding and honeymoon destination for Kiwis, Tourism Fiji recently invited 16 of the country’s top romantic travel specialists to Fiji to sample the product on a first-hand basis.

While in Fiji the specialist consultants were split into two groups with each group staying at a variety of hotels and resorts in Denarau, on the Coral Coast and in the Mamanucas.

The visit gave the agents’ hosts the perfect opportunity to showcase their expertise in the wedding and honeymoon market.

This involved many of the hotels going completely out of their way to impress the agents with several mock weddings and romantic settings in order to underline just how sophisticated Fiji has now become with its delivery in this key market segment.

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

2010 FIJI DIVE FIESTA

Further underlining Fiji's diversity and the unique attributes the region offers the international SCUBA dive market, Fiji’s Northern islands recently hosted the 2010 Fiji Dive Fiesta from 22-28 May.

Sponsored by Tourism Fiji, Air Pacific and several of the destination's key dive operators, the event attracted large numbers of international dive specialists, tour consultants, wholesalers as well as several media.

Vanua Levu and the northern islands, including Taveuni, account for almost 30 per cent of all dedicated dive visits to Fiji while the Pacific Coast on Viti Levu attracts around 27 per cent.

However several other regions, and particularly Kadavu which sits on the Astrolabe reef, the world's third largest, are also beginning to draw large numbers of divers keen to explore what has become known as the 'soft coral capital of the world'.17 dive wholesalers from USA, New Zealand, Australia, United Kingdom, Hong Kong and China participated in this event.

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

ROYAL SEAL OF APPROVAL – INDIAN BEAUTY QUEENS PROMOTE FIJI’S BID TO HOST MISS INDIA 2011 PAGEANT

It’s not every day that Fiji receives a visit from three queens but that’s exactly what happened last week when Miss India, 22-year-old Manasvi Mamgai, Miss India International, 23-year-old Neha Hinge and Miss earth Environmental, Nicole Faria, aged 20, arrived at Nadi International Airport.

Invited to Fiji by Air Pacific, Tourism Fiji and Tour Managers as part of their Miss India Pageant 2010 prizes. The main purpose of the three queens’ visit is part of a strategy by Fiji’s tourism industry to have the Miss India 2011 pageant staged in Fiji.

The royal visit was timely given that quarter one visitor arrivals from India increased by 94.2 per cent to reach 666, the highest figure ever recorded on a quarterly basis from this emerging market.

The huge increase can in part be attributed to a visit by the Minister for Tourism in February when he personally headed up a key tourism industry mission to India.

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

TOURISM FIJI UK TEAM TACKLES RUGBY WORLD CUP

Hard at work maximising the opportunity created by the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in 2011, Tourism Fiji’s UK team is pleased to confirm that it will jointly promote the event with Gullivers Sports Travel, Thomas Cook and England Rugby Travel leading up to September 2011 event.

The national tourist office is confident that many northern hemisphere tourists travelling to New Zealand to watch the event will be making the three hour side trip to Fiji in between games.

The focal theme for Tourism Fiji’s stand at this year’s World Travel Mart will be the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

For further information, please contact Tourism Fiji’s Market Representative, Ms Jane West at jane@ihml.com

FIJI ENGAGES OVERSEAS TRAVEL AGENTS WITH MAJOR ‘ROMANCE ME’ FAMILY

Further underlining Fiji’s ability to deliver the goods on the international wedding and honeymoon scene, Tourism Fiji and several of its key industry partners has staged a major ‘Romance Me’ familiarisation for a key group of Australian, US and UK specialist travel agents.

Working in conjunction with several hotels and resorts and local specialist wedding suppliers, including South Pacific Bridal, Tadra Weddings and Paradise Bride, the 49-strong group of agents were all accommodated on arrival in Fiji at the Plantation Island Resort.

The resort’s recently-opened Conference Centre formed the venue for a welcome dinner and a fashion display showcasing both western and traditional Fijian wedding attire.

While at Plantation Island the group also took part in a tree planting ceremony as part of the government’s scheme to have one million trees planted across the destination by 2011.

Following this, the agents split into 10 groups before travelling off to different parts of the archipelago to experience first-hand the huge range of world-class wedding and honeymoon-related services Fiji’s hotels and resorts now have on offer.

Venues included the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands, the Coral Coast, Nadi and Denarau, Pacific Coast, Suva and Savusavu.

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

WHERE THERE’S A WILLE, THERE’S A FIJI CONCERT

The lead singer of internationally renowned Dutch country band Pussycat, Toni Wille will be headlining two concerts in Fiji next month.

The Toni Wille Golden Memories Fiji Tour will be staged in Suva on Thursday, July 15 at the Vodafone Arena and again in Nadi at the Denarau Golf and Racquet Club on Saturday, July 17.

Supporting the superstar are three of Fiji's most exciting live acts including local singing sensation and winner of the popular New Zealand singing competition Homai Te Pakipaki, Roland Williams and One2Eight.

Rosiloa (formerly Black Rose) and Daniel Rae Costello and the Cruzez will also perform.

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

‘WHEN FLORENCE MEETS FIJI’ ART EXHIBITION

One of the biggest art exhibits ever held in Fiji comprising works from several high profile contemporary international artists, ‘When Florence meets Fiji’ themed exhibition will be staged at the Westin Denarau Island Resort & Spa from 18 - 25 June.

The event is being managed by the leading Tokani Art Agency.

Event coordinator Claire-Diane Giraldeau said the exhibition this year will feature a host of international talent with artists’ work on display being shipped in from many different countries.

These include Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Denmark, India, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates - and Fiji of course.

Works include several by paintings by two winners of the prestigious ‘Lorenzo il Magnifco Prize awarded biannually in Florence, Italy - South African artist Talita Swarts and Amir Mir Shavesteh Tabar from the United Arab Emirates.

The talent on display also includes two high profile Fijian artists – Jane Borg and Fred Whippy.

For further information, please contact Ms. Claire-Diane Giraldeau at tokani@connect.com.fj

DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND - SIX OF THE BEST MEIMEIS BECOMES 12 OF THE BEST

Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji has expanded its recently introduced Meimei Nanny Service due to its unprecedented success .

Introduced on April 1, 2010 with a staff of six nannies, General Manager, Peter Hopgood, said the service had proven so popular the hotel had taken the decision to increase the Meimei team by adding a further six nannies.

For further information, please visit www.outriggerfiji.com

INTERCONTINENTAL FIJI APPOINTS NEW SALES MANAGER

The InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa has appointed Japanese national, Shinobu Suzuki as Sales Manager. A key component of Ms Suzuki’s portfolio will be to drive up business from the Japanese market.

Ms Suzuki joins InterContinental Fiji directly from the Conrad Bali Resort & Spa where she was responsible for developing the sales action plan and strategy for the Japanese market with a strong focus on the leisure and wedding segments.

For further information, please visit www.intercontinental.com

AIR PACIFIC RESUMES SUVA SERVICE

Air Pacific is to re-introduce international 737-700 services between Auckland and Suva (Nausori Airport) from Friday , 02 July with further service on Monday to be added from 02 August.

The service will operate ex-Auckland to Suva at 0800 hours, arriving in Suva at 1105. The flight will depart from Suva at 1215, arriving in Auckland at 1520.

The new Suva service will complement Air Pacific's existing Nadi-Auckland schedule of up to 13 weekly flights in addition to the weekly Nadi-Christchurch flight.

For further information, please visit www.airpacific.com

FIJI FOOTY – OUTRIGGER-STYLE

Guests at Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji are being offered the opportunity to enjoy a game of fast-paced, heavy-hitting Fijian rugby as part of a newly introduced rugby tour operating every Saturday throughout the season.

The Fijian Rugby excursion is available on Saturday - home games from NZ$36.50 (F$50) including free shuttle transfers, entry into the VIP Marquee with an ‘all you can eat ’buffet’ and the opportunity to rub shoulders with the players after the game.

The resort is the official sponsor for the Outrigger on the Lagoon Nadroga Stallions.

For further information, please visit www.outriggerfiji.com

BONJOUR FIJI - LA PARISIENNE CAFÉ LAUNCHES AT SOFITEL FIJI RESORT & SPA

The Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa has opened a new French-style café - La Parisienne

Open seven days a week between 7.00 am and 7.00 pm, the café offers great coffee, café style breakfasts, stylish lunches and a delicatessen perfect for those in transit or on the go.

La Parisienne is conveniently located at the front of the resort adjacent to the lobby, with café seating, a lounge area and seated bar.

For further information, please visit www.sofitel.com

VUDA POINT SATURDAY NIGHT MARKET

A great way to meet the friendly locals, a fabulous place to eat and a great place to shop.

The Vuda Point ‘night markets’ come complete with live bands, fire dancing shows and a huge selection of ready to buy Fijian arts and crafts which are held at the picturesque port on the second Saturday of every month.

Goods on sale range from hand-made leather goods, jewelry, carvings, pottery. Entertainment ranges from live music and cultural displays to face painting, tarot card reading, massages and even haircuts.

The ‘night markets’ operate from midday to midnight.

For further information, please contact Mr. Tony Philp at jphilp@mac.com or visit www.vudapointmarina.com

YADUA BAY RESORT PROJECT LAUNCHED

The President of Fiji, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau last week was guest of honour at the official launch of the Yadua Bay Resort and Villas Project.

The project was launched last week in Malaqereqere Sigatoka and will be operated by the Hexagon Group of Hotels. Project plans include a hotel and 74 residential villa sites.

For further information, please visit www.hexagonfiji.com

AMUNUCA RESORT & SPA REOPENS

Amunuca Resort Management Ltd has officially re-opened the doors of the Amunuca Resort & Spa.

Now a wholly owned subsidiary of Inspired Destinations Inc. Limited (Hong Kong), the property has been completely refurbished with new features including a modern recreation area with pool, tennis court and a spa, clear water, guests can literally step into a marina paradise teaming with life and coral.

For further information, please visit www.amunuca.com

WARWICK INTERNATIONAL HOTELS

Warwick International Hotels, the parent company of the Warwick Fiji Resort & Spa and the Naviti Fiji Resort has signed an agreement to manage a new resort to be built in Nadi. The four-star beach front resort will be named Warwick Nadi Resort & Spa.

Boasting a total of 240 guest rooms and six suites, two restaurants, three bars, a spa and a fully equipped fitness gym. A key focus for the new property will be on the meetings, incentive, conferences and events market.

For further information, please contact the resort at www.warwickfijihotel.com

SHANGRI-LA’S ECO AWARENESS PROGRAM

Officially opened by the President of Fiji Islands, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort & Spa has launched Fiji’s first and only truly dedicated eco-awareness programme on the Coral Coast, Earth Day Thursdays, aimed at raising greater awareness on the importance of conserving the environment.

The launch signaled the beginning of a range of integrated programmes taking place every Thursday that include a visit to the marine centre which focuses on reef conservation and also looks at broader environmental issues in Fiji and the Pacific, as well as outdoor activities for families staying in the Resort.

The resort’s general manager Michael Monks said he hoped the Marine Centre and related activities will provide visitors with an opportunity to meet and mingle with the local community while at the same time learning about the environment they live in and ways of caring for it.

For further information, please contact the Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort & Spa’s Communication Manager,
Ms Lata Yaqona at lata.yaqona@shangri-la.com

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