TOURISM FIJI MEETS WITH KEY INDUSTRY STAKEHOLDERS AT INTERNATIONAL FORUMS

A critical component of its overall annual business activity planning, Tourism Fiji CEO Josefa Tuamoto and senior travel industry figures representing Air Pacific and the Fiji Islands Hotel and Tourist Association have participated at Travel Industry Forums in Fiji’s three biggest source markets – Australia, New Zealand and the US – in recent weeks.

The main thrust of the forums as in previous events is to meet with key wholesalers, heads of retail chains and airline management to openly discuss pertinent issues and strategies applicable to each marketplace.

The forums also offer the opportunity for the national tourist office to roll out plans for the year ahead, resolutions for which will be framed within 2011 marketing strategies in each region.

As importantly the forums are seen as an excellent environment from which to gain industry opinion, re-forge existing relationships and build links with newer industry partners.

The first forum kicked off on 04 October in the US where 21 wholesalers and 42 suppliers convened in Las Vegas over a two-day period to meet Mr Tuamoto, the Fiji industry team and Regional Director – The Americas, Ili Matatolu for a series of presentations, rotating workshops and team building exercises.

Similar numbers attended the Australian industry forum which took place in Port Macquarie on the mid-North Coast of New South Wales on 18 October where 55 industry representatives met Mr Tuamoto, Regional Director Australia, Paresh Pant and his team for a two-day forum session.

Auckland formed the venue for the New Zealand forum, attendees for which included all trade partners including wholesalers, key retail partners, both Air New Zealand and Air Pacific management and FIHTA.

Tourism Fiji Regional Director New Zealand Sala Toganivalu said as on previous events of its kind, the half day program was very focused, covering many issues but also highly successful in maintaining dialogue and strategizing among those key partners who help grow the market for Fiji.

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

FANE VAVE HAS BEEN APPOINTED THE NEW DIRECTOR OF TOURISM

Vave has been seconded from Tourism Fiji to the Ministry of Tourism for the next two years. Vave has almost 10 years experience in the tourism industry and was currently overseeing marketing operations, research, planning and market intelligence for Tourism Fiji.

Attorney General and Minister for tourism Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum welcomed Fane’s appointment saying she will help develop the Ministry of Tourism’s direction and ensure strategies are in place for the sustainable growth of the tourism industry.

For further information, please contact the Ministry of Tourism.

TOURISM FIJI INDUSTRY DAY - FIJI

Tourism Fiji has announced its annual Fiji industry day will take place on 09 December 2010.

Venue for the event will be held at the Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort & Spa.

The industry day is seen to be an opportune time to meet with the Tourism Fiji team – both from a head office and regional office perspective – and hear directly on information detailing the many activities taking place across the year, results achieved and an overview on activities planned for 2011 on the international stage.

For further information, please contact Tourism Fiji’s Administration and Accounts Officer, Ms Vasemaca Driso at vrakabu@tourismfiji.com.fj

TOURISM FIJI TARGETS INTERNATIONAL C&I SPECIALISTS

A critical part of Tourism Fiji’s overall strategy to build on the destination’s convention and incentive business, the national tourist office and several of its industry partners had taken the bull by the horns and invited senior C&I planners from Australia, New Zealand and the US to Fiji on a series of fact-finding missions.

Taking place between 30 October- 09 November, the 34 participants – five Americans, 21 Australians and eight New Zealanders visited different resort properties in the main tourist corridors on Viti Levu and the Mamanuca Islands to view facilities and meet with respective resorts’ C&I management.

Properties involved in the exercise included the Intercontinental Golf Resort & Spa, Shangri-La’s The Fijian Resort & Spa, the Westin Denarau Island Resort & Spa, the Sofitel Resort & Spa, the Sheraton Fiji, Outrigger on the Lagoon and the Warwick Fiji Resort & Spa.

Both the NZ and the US participants also had the opportunity to visit the Mamanucas thanks to hosting support provided by Plantation Island Resort and Vomo Island Resort.

Other suppliers involved in the program included Rosie Holidays, Tour Managers, Pacific Destinationz, Adrenalin Fiji and the Sigatoka River Safari.

Tourism Fiji CEO Josefa Tuamoto said the timing for the event was relevant in all three markets but particularly so in the US given the recent rebound of the market.

Interest derived from the recent Incentive Travel Exchange, he said, was positive as planners solicited RFPs for potential groups for 2011 and 2012.

“Interest in Fiji has continued to flow from Australia in 2010 following a strong showing at AIME earlier in the year this year which boded well for group travel for 2011,” he said.

“New Zealand too has achieved good results across the year and we anticipate positive results from that market following our recent participation at PAICE.”

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

TOURISM FIJI LAUNCHES INAUGURAL SOCIAL MEDIA BLOGGERS TOUR

Further embracing the latest in web technology platforms to spread the Fiji message online, Tourism Fiji has partnered with nine selected US bloggers to present its inaugural ‘FijiMe Tour’ based around an innovative social media bloggers trip to Fiji.

The bloggers, specialists in the niche markets of adventure, diving, eco-tourism and romance, will share their experiences in ‘real time’ through their various social streams including Facebook and Twitter when they visit Fiji later this month.

Tourism Fiji CEO Josefa Tuamoto said the innovative marketing strategy was seen as an opportunity to develop relationships with these influential bloggers, who have thousands of followers, to raise awareness of Fiji in its key niche markets in North America. “As traditional media consumption habits evolve, affluent travellers have widened their search outlets for destination recommendations to include niche bloggers, “he said.

The tour covers tourism regions including Denarau, Kadavu, Suva, Savusavu, Taveuni, Pacific Harbour and the Mamanuca Islands. The national tourist office has partnered with industry partners including national airliner Air Pacific and social media specialist Sparkloft Media in the exercise.

For more information and more about Tourism Fiji’s online social media efforts and the FijiMe bloggers tour, contact Tourism Fiji Regional Director – The Americas, Ms Ili Matatolu at ili@tourismfijius.com

FIJI MAKES PRESENCE FELT AT SYDNEY ADVENTURE TRAVEL & BACKPACKER EXPO

Tourism Fiji in partnership with Air Pacific and FIBA (Fiji Islands Backpackers Association) attended the 16th Sydney Adventure Travel and Backpacker Expo held at the Centennial Town Hall from the 06-07 November 2010.

As in previous years this event attracted strong attention with more than 200 industry professionals from around the globe attending.

For further information on backpacking in Fiji and the huge range of product available to this important market segment, please contact Tourism Fiji’s Marketing Officer, Kesaia Marau at kmarau@tourismfiji.com.fj

TEAM FIJI TACKLE WTM LONDON

Fiji was well represented at the World Travel Mart scheduled from 08 – 11 November 2010 at the Excel Centre in London with Tourism Fiji and several of its industry partners flew the flag at what represents the UK’s biggest travel event of the year.

The Fiji team proudly wore Fiji Rugby shirts underlining the ‘rugby’ theme which formed the centrepiece of the Fiji stand at the event.

Tourism Fiji’s partners in the event included Air Pacific, ATS Pacific, Pacific Destinationz and Pure Fiji.

For further information, please contact Tourism Fiji Marketing Officer, Mr Iowane Naivalurua at inaivalurua@tourismfiji.com.fj.

EUROPE CALLING - TOURISM FIJI TO ATTEND ‘BIT 2011’ AND ‘ITB 2011’

Tourism Fiji will once again participate in two of Europe’s biggest travel events – BIT 2011 and ITB 2011,

Italy’s most important travel fair BIT 2011 will take place from 17-20 February in Milan. The event annually attracts more than 5,000 exhibitors from 130 countries.

Positioned as the world’s biggest travel show, ITB 2011, which takes place in Berlin, is scheduled from 9-13 March. Last year the event attracted more than 180,000 visitors – including 108,000 trade visitors - and over 10,000 exhibitors from 180 countries.

The first three days (09-11 March) are dedicated to trade visitors only while the last two days are also open to the general public.

Those industry colleagues interested in joining Tourism Fiji’s Europe team at both events should contact Ms Janina Guenther in Tourism Fiji’s Berlin Office at j.guenther@interface-net.de or alternatively, Tourism Fiji Senior Marketing Officer Mr. Thomas Valentine at tvalentine@tourismfiji.com.fj.

EUROPE MATAI ACADEMY

Pictured, the Tourism Fiji head office team with their Tourism Fiji Berlin office counterparts and several of the Europe-based Fiji Matai Specialist agents participating in the national tourist office’s recent swing across Germany and the Czech Republic.

The Fiji industry team met with 57 agents during the visit, the centre piece of which was the head-turning, brightly decorated ‘Bula Bus’, complete with Fijian chef Samu Apenisa, of Nanuya Island Resort, used to carry the team.

Adding a musical note, high profile Fijian singer Jale Mareau, accompanied by Jimi Luita and Maciu Mareau, were also on board for the tour. Cities visited included Munich, Erfurt, Dresden, Berlin and the Czech capital Prague over a three-day period.

Tourism Fiji’s industry partners in the exercise included Air Pacific, South Sea Cruises, Musket Cove Resort & Spa, Mana Island Resort & Spa, Sonaisali Island Resort, Blue Lagoon Cruises and Captain Cook Cruises.

Initial feedback emanating from the visit has been extremely positive with many of the agents already hard at work setting up FijiMe displays and other point of sale material ensuring a good splash of Fiji sunshine against the backdrop of the encroaching European winter.

For further information, please contact Tourism Fiji Berlin Office, Ms Janina Guenther at j.guenther@interface-net.de or Tourism Fiji Senior Marketing Officer Mr. Thomas Valentine at tvalentine@tourismfiji.com.fj

TOURISM FIJI TO REPEAT HIGHLY SUCCESFUL ONLINE ‘ROMANCE ME’ CAMPAIGN

Following the success of its inaugural online ‘Romance Me’ in 2009, Tourism Fiji in cooperation with several of its industry partners will once launch an international online competition offering one lucky couple the opportunity to have a honeymoon in Fiji.

The initiative invites participants to send a video clip to Tourism Fiji explaining why they deserve a Fijian wedding, honeymoon or vow reaffirmation. Videos received will be posted on www.fijime.com. Prizes will be awarded to the two videos receiving the most ‘votes’ from website visitors with the winners to be announced on Valentine’s Day 2011.

Last year’s winners came from Townsville, Far North Queensland, Australia, with runners-up coming from Holland.

Partners in this year’s event include, Air Pacific, Royal Davui Island Resort, Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa, Vomo Island Resort, Tour Managers and Tokman Imagez Photography.

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

FIJI CELEBRATES DIWALI IN STYLE WITH ‘NADI FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS’

Offering visitors a wonderful opportunity to join in celebrating one of Fiji’s most important calendar events, Nadi this year staged one of the biggest Diwali events seen to date – the ‘Festival of Lights’ which commenced on 01 November.

A four-day kaleidoscope of music, food and culture, hundreds of locals and visitors, many sporting brand new, brightly coloured Diwali outfits, mingled in Nadi’s main street to enjoy the huge range of entertainment being provided this year.

This included live Indian bands and cultural performances to street stall sales and firework displays – even the shops stayed open until 9.00PM. For further information, please contact Tourism Fiji’s Senior Marketing Officer, Mr Thomas Valentine at tvalentine@tourismfiji.com.fj

GOLDEN 50TH NADI BULA FESTIVAL

Celebrating its Golden Jubilee in 2010, Nadi’s famous ‘Bula Festival’ will take place from 27 November-04 December.

The theme for this year’s event is "Eyes and Ears of Charity.”

Started 50 years ago, the event helps raise much needed funds for the Nadi Hospital and the community at large.

A wide range of PLANNED activities and entertainment coupled with a variety of sporting and cultural events include a beauty and talent competition. For further information, please contact the Secretariat at bulafestival2010@gmail.com or visit www.bulafestival.org.

FIJI FASHION WEEK SUCCESS CATALYST FOR SOUTH PACIFIC FASHION EVENT

Following the huge success of the MHCC Fiji Fashion Week 2010 show held on the 18th – 23rd October 2010 at Borron House in Suva, Fashion Week Limited has plans in the pipeline for a first-ever South Pacific Fashion Week (SPFW).

The event is being planned for October 17-22 next year at the Vodafone Arena involving countries in the South Pacific region with invitations being extended to Australia and New Zealand.

The objective of such an event is to provide a platform and outlet for all Designers in the South Pacific Region. SPFW will enable international buyers and fashion experts to check out the best Pacific Designers in the one place at the one time.

SPFW should also pave the way for the ongoing development of Fashion Design in the Pacific especially as Fiji has an active Garment Manufacturing industry. It is also intended that this will lead to further fashion education as a permanent fixtures into the schools and university curriculum.

For further information, please contact Fiji Fashion Week Managing Director, Ms Ellen Whippy-Knight at info@fijifashionweek.com.fj or visit www.fijifashionweek.com.fj

PILATE WORKSHOP AT NAVUTU STARS

World renowned Pilates teacher Serena Bitterli of Switzerland's renowned Gymline Fitness for Women will offer daily classes at Navutu Stars from 16 April - 08 May 2011.

The daily classes will take place on the resort’s Sunset Terrace.

For further information, please contact reservations@navutustarsfiji.com or visit www.navutustarsfiji.com

NEW FRONT OFFICE MANAGER FOR SONAISALI ISLAND RESORT

Sonaisali Island Resort has announced the appointment of Ms Liviana Momo to the position of Front Office Manager. She was previously Assistant Front Office Manager at the resort.

Livi will also be overseeing all reservations for Tadrai Island Resort, situated on Mana Island which is due to open in June 2011.

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

SENIKAI SPAS LAUNCHES NEW BRIDAL SUITE AT TREASURE ISLAND RESORT

Senikai Spas has launched a newly designated Bridal Suite adjacent to its recently renovated Treasure Island Resort spa facility.

The suite is being positioned as the perfect place to pamper the bride to be and the bridal party in the comfort of their own exclusive spa suite and comes complete with a lounge area, dress circle, shower and a hairstyling and make-up area.

For further information regarding the Bridal Suite or Bridal Packages, please contact Ms Rachel Kraljik at sales@senikaispas.com.fj.

‘VEIDOMONI SPA’ OPENS AT MATAMANOA

Further underlining Fiji’s reputation as the ‘Spa capital of the South Pacific, Matamanoa Island Resort has officially opened its new Veidomoni Spa. Built on a hilltop overlooking the beatific Mamanuca Islands chain, the spa features a whole host of special treatments.

These include a 'Bua’ Frangipani cleansing ritual, a ‘Qaqalo’ and ‘Yava’ Indulgence treatment, a ‘Veiwatini’ Honeymoon Pamper Pack and a ‘Lomani’ Bridal Package.

The opening of the new spa is part of a major refurbishment currently taking place at the resort. This includes new tapa and masi cloth and shell decorations in all rooms, new king size beds which can be split into two singles and furniture specifically designed using local Mahogany Wood.

The restaurant will undergo an extension with the addition of a new Sunset Deck and furniture.

For further information on the ‘Veidomoni Spa’, please contact Ms Rachel Kraljik at sales@senikaispas.com.fj. For more information on Matamanoa Island Resort visit www.matamanoa.com.

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