Fiji Police Band visit to NZ strikes the right chord at RWC 2011

The visit by the renowned Fiji Police Band to New Zealand during RWC 2011 has been hailed a major success with the band’s performances earning rave reviews as far afield as the UK following a series of high profile performances in and around Auckland.

Led by Inspector Nicholas Vosarogo, the 40-strong Police Band’s concerts attracted literally thousands of people in and around Auckland, in the process creating massive exposure and awareness for Fiji.

The performances included three daily concerts in Ellerslie’s Town Square, the Auckland suburb which adopted the ‘Flying Fijians’ during their tilt at RWC 2011 and appearances at Fiji community events as well as a special performance for students of Kowhai Intermediate School, adjacent to Eden Park.

The Police Band also performed a musical march from Auckland’s Wynard Quarter along Queens Wharf to The RWC 2011 Fan Zone on Saturday 24 September.

The undoubted highlight of their visit was a march from Kingsland to Eden Park as part of the pre-match activities leading up to the much anticipated Fiji versus Samoa game on Sunday, 25 September. The rain did not dampen the enthusiasm of fans crowding the streets to cheer the Police Band on.

The march and performance proved so popular, security officials concerned that hundreds of spectators enjoying the performance would not make the start of the match in time, were forced to ask the Police Band to stop playing in order for the spectators to enter Eden Park.

Tourism Fiji Regional Director New Zealand, Sala Toganivalu said the Police Band’s performances had helped create huge amounts of positive feedback and goodwill for Fiji and its people – even as far afield as the UK where newspapers have been running stories and photographs.

“We can all take great pride in the way in which the Police Band represented themselves as excellent ambassadors for their country while in New Zealand,” she said.

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

Tourism Fiji ‘Fiji Me’ Online Workshop Achieves Targets

Further demonstrating Tourism Fiji’s ability to harness cost effective online technology to reach hundreds of travel agents in its key international markets and beyond, the national tourist office is hailing its third annual US ‘virtual’ Fiji Me industry workshop a major success.

Taking place ‘live’ under a ‘Fiji – a life changing experience’ theme on 14 and 15 September, the event this year attracted 1125 travel professionals - more than double the number of participants registered for a similar event in 2010.

While the bulk of those taking part were located across 44 US states and nine Canadian provinces, the event also drew attention from South America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific with participants joining in from Australia, Argentina, China, Germany, Great Britain, India, Italy, South Korea, Mexico and Uruguay.

Tourism Fiji Regional Director (The Americas) Ili Matatolu said the exercise more than underlined the strength of the online platform as a global outreach for Fiji and was , in this case, quite unique in terms of DMO marketing platforms.

While the workshop went ‘live’ for four hours on both days, the event will continue to bear fruit for the destination in coming months with consultants having direct access to all presentations as required on an ‘on demand’ basis for the next 90 days.

Keeping things fresh and adding further interest to overall content delivery, Tourism Fiji this year took a slightly different tack to previous events by expanding overall content to include for the first time Fiji product presentations geared to reflect the destination’s top end and luxury product.

Ms Matatolu said while the focus for the 2010 event was romance and luxury products, format this year had been expanded to show all regions of Fiji plus a range of niche markets and products including small ship cruising, marine transport, soft adventure activities and a range of resorts.

Also new in 2011, the opportunity for the travel professionals to access and participate in panel discussions with Tourism Fiji joined in the exercise by consortia partners Ensemble, Vacation.com, Signature as well as dive specialist Deep Blue Adventures.

Ms Matatolu said the huge response to the event was a very solid reflection of Fiji’s enduring appeal in the North American marketplace.

For further information, please contact Tourism Fiji regional director, The Americas,
Ms Ili Matatolu at ili@tourismfijius.com

Tourism Fiji launches smart phone friendly ‘Fiji Me’ AU website

Further building its local online presence, Tourism Fiji’s Australian office has this week made access to its online information base even easier with the release of a dedicated smart phone friendly website.

Located at www.fijime.com.au, alike the recently-released PC-accessible version, the new website is jam packed with a host of information designed to showcase the destination’s ever-evolving product base and its ability to all market elements Irrespective of requirement.

Tourism Fiji Regional Director Australia, Paresh Pant said a key difference with the smart phone friendly format version was its ability to make click through-easier than other phone-accessed websites which invariably offer much smaller connection buttons.

“This smart phone website is a prime example of how we are embracing Web 3.0 platforms to engage and educate both our industry partners and consumers on precisely what Fiji has to offer,” he said.

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

European Matais to converge on Fiji for ‘Europe Bula Academy’

Tourism Fiji ‘s Europe representative office along with airline partner Korean Air is currently arranging for 120 of its continental Europe-based Fiji Matai specialists and key wholesalers to join in its second ‘Europe Bula Academy’ scheduled in Fiji from 07 – 18 November.

The Matai specialists are expected to attend from 11 European countries including 15 from Russia.

The event will be preceded by pre and post tours of the destination from 07-14 November and again from 11-18 November, 2011 with a dedicated trade show scheduled for 12 November at the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa.

For more information please contact Tourism Fiji’s Marketing Officer,
Ms Keti Waqavonovono at kwaqavonovono@tourismfiji.com.fj or
Kiniviliame Raicebe at kraicebe@tourismfiji.com.fj

Fiji Me Trade Convention

Tourism Fiji will once again hold a trade industry day at Plantation Island on 05 November for its visiting Matai agents. The full day program will include Matai agents from New Zealand and the USA All About Honeymoon Conference group visiting Fiji at the time.

The objective of the trade day is to allow the agents to meet up with local industry partners to discuss contracts and update their product knowledge on new products and services that Fiji has on offer.

For further information, please contact marketing officer, Mr Kiniviliame Raicebe on
kraicebe@tourismfiji.com.fj or Ms Inise Mucunabitu at imucunabitu@tourismfiji.com.fj

Life’s Good in Korea – Fiji to lend extra dimension to LG International TV Sales Promotion

Beautiful, crystal clear 3D images of Fiji and the country’s culture, sporting and spa facilities and soft adventure activities will take centre stage as part of a major, multi-million dollar world-wide marketing campaign currently being designed by Korean electronic giant LG.

The images come courtesy of a 19-strong film crew from Korea which recently visited Fiji with the support of Tourism Fiji’s Korean regional office and a host of industry colleagues to collate the footage which is to be used to illustrate the latest technology surrounding the 3D TV’s and home theatre equipment the Korean giant is due to launch to the world in coming months.

This launch will include road shows in 140 countries in Asia, Europe and North America where the Fiji images will form a highlight of the on-screen imagery being used to promote the state-of-the-art TV sets and projectors.

While in Fiji the crew visited a number of locations on the Coral Coast, Natadola Beach, Nadi/Denarau region and the Mamanucas where they collated material covering a number of activities which will be used to promote the new LG TV’s.

These included several of Fiji’s most famous cultural activities including traditional mekes and singing, fire walking and a lovo. Sporting and soft adventure activities included golf, island cruising, jet skiing, hot air ballooning, scuba diving sport and white water rafting.

Tourism Fiji Regional Representative Korea, Ms Daisy Park said the exercise provided the national tourist office with a fantastic opportunity to promote Fiji both in LG’s home base of Korea and beyond via the giant electronics company’s international sales and marketing distribution network.

Fiji colleagues provided support while the Korean film team was in Fiji included Shangri-La’s The Fijian Resort & Spa, the Intercontinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa, Musket Cove Island Resort, Plantation Island Resort, Lomani Island Resort, Cardo’s Restaurant & Steakhouse, Adrenalin Fiji, Rivers Fiji, The Arts Village Pacific Harbour, Rosie Holidays and Coral Sun Fiji/Tourist Transport Fiji.

For further information, please contact Tourism Fiji Regional Representative, Korea, Ms Daisy Park at fijime@gmail.com or Marketing officer, Mr Rohitesh Narayan at rnarayan@tourismfiji.com

New iPad app for romantic travellers

Tourism Fiji has launched a new ‘Fiji Islands Digital Travel Guide’ for iPad users in partnership with prestigious travel publications ISLANDS and Destination Weddings & Honeymoons

Tourism Fiji's Regional Director - The Americas, Ili Matatolu said the new interactive guide allows the national tourist office to keep abreast of changing consumer behavior trends as well as giving iPad users a comprehensive tool to access information instantly about Fiji.

The new interactive guide will be available as a free download within both ISLANDS and Destination Weddings & Honeymoons apps. Consumers can link to each app for download in the app store via the following links:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/islands-magazine/id386308647?mt=8
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/destination-weddingshoneymoons/id430341353?mt=8 #

Special features include photo and video access, travel planners, destination information and even access to Fiji travel specialists and Matai travel agents.

For more information on both magazines visit www.islands.com and www.destinationweddingmag.com.

For further information, contact Tourism Fiji Regional Director – The Americas,
Ms Ili Matatolu at ili@tourismfijius.com or visit www.fijime.tv .

Tourism Fiji & Air Pacific Bring Fiji to NYC at First-Ever Travel + Leisure Magazine’s Global Bazaar

Tourism Fiji and Air Pacific partnered with global communications icon Travel+Leisure Magazine last month to bring the sights, tastes, sounds and products of the ‘Bula’ nation into the very heart of New York City, reaching an estimated 14 million high net worth individuals as part of the first ever Travel + Leisure Global Bazaar in the process.

Coinciding with the release of the prestigious travel magazine’s 40th anniversary October issue, a highlight of the three-day festivities was a performance given by 12 Fijian dancers representing the Kabu ni Vanua Dance Team from the Conservatorium of Music in Fiji who entertained the huge crowd in attendance with traditional singing and dancing.

Adding a further cultural veneer to proceedings, Fijian chefs prepared and served Fiji’s signature dish Kokoda and concocted and served tropical cocktails amid a traditional thatched Fijian bure setting.

Bazaar goers were also able to witness Masi printing, pottery making, mat weaving, face painting, Masi fashions and enjoyed tasting Kava, the ceremonial drink of Fiji.

Tourism Fiji Regional Director – The Americas, Ili Matatolu said the inaugural Travel+Leisure event was a fantastic opportunity for the tourism board and airline to meet with top travel professional as well as the more than 5,000 affluent travel enthusiasts attending the Bazaar.

“We attribute the ongoing success of 2011 and beyond to high profile events and partnerships like this one to bring more visitors to Fiji from the North American region,” Ms Matatolu said pointing towards recently released Fiji Bureau of Statistics figures for June which show numbers from the US are up by 8 per cent and from Canada, up by 9 per cent.

The Travel + Leisure Global Bazaar is one of the key marketing initiatives which make up a comprehensive marketing program which Tourism Fiji is undertaking with Travel+Leisure.

The campaign includes a custom e-mail blasts to 120,000 online subscribers, a direct mail piece to a further 200,000 recipients, an online micro site and a print advertising campaign targeting travelers with incomes of USD150,000 plus who travel internationally five plus times per year.

For further information, contact Tourism Fiji Regional Director North America,
Ms Ili Matatolu at ili@tourismfijius.com or visit www.fijime.tv .

FIBA to attend major adventure travel and backpackers events in Sydney

The Fiji Islands Backpackers Association will partner with Tourism Fiji and Air Pacific at three of the southern hemisphere’s biggest backpacker and adventure travel events held annually in Sydney.

These include the Independent Travel Exchange taking place in Sydney’s historic Rocks area on 26 October, ABIC, the annual Adventure & Backpacker Industry Conference to be held in Darling Harbour on 27 October and an EXPO series at the city’s Centennial Town Hall on 29-30 October.

ITE is designed to provide a forum for Australasian tourism businesses to meet other operators in order to canvas new business opportunities and developing networking contacts.

ABIC is the biggest event in Australia for adventure and backpackers operators. The aim is to provide delegates with practical learning they can apply in their own businesses to boost the bottom line.

The Expo series provide exhibitors with the opportunity to talk to adventure travelers of all ages and is seen an excellent and cost effective way to talk directly to potential clients, build clients, databases, enhance our products brand, awareness and of course generates sales.

For further information, please contact Tourism Fiji’s marketing officer,
Ms Kesaia Marau at kmarau@tourismfiji.com.fj

Tourism Fiji Australia to stage inaugural Youth Adventure Travel educational

More than 60 Australian youth and adventure travel specialists will converge on Fiji from 16-22 November when Tourism Fiji’s Australian regional office will stage its first ever dedicated Youth Adventure Travel educational program.

The educational is designed to expose the participants to several areas of Fiji seeing first hand the huge prospects on offer for this key travel demographic. These include Nadi, the Coral and Pacific Coasts, Suva and Tailevu region, the Sun Coast, the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands.

The participants, who are flying in from Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney, will also participate in a trade day program where the agents will have the opportunity to meet with key industry representatives.

The national tourist office hopes the exercise will form a blueprint for other similar educational programs for the New Zealand, US, United Kingdom and European markets.

For further information, please contact Tourism Fiji’s marketing officer,
Ms Kesaia Marau at kmarau@tourismfiji.com.fj

A tale of three Chinese cities

Tourism Fiji has announced it will lead a Fiji travel industry group on a three city tour of China from 24 – 29 October.

The main thrust of the visit is intended to bring focus on to Fiji in the lead up to the busy Chinese New Year holiday booking period.

Led by Tourism Fiji , the Fiji tourism industry group will visit the key large population cities of Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou.

Timing for the visit is seen as critical as with Chinese New Year holiday celebrations now just a few months away, people are already starting to plan their 2012 holidays.

The visit will also give the industry group a good opportunity to bring the local industry up to speed with ongoing developments in Fiji and the ever-growing appeal the destination offers to the Chinese travel market.

For further information, please contact Tourism Fiji’s Marketing officer,
Ms Kathy Koyamaibole at kkoyamaibole@tourismfiji.com.fj

AON Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards 2011

Tourism Fiji has announced it is now accepting nominations for the Fiji tourism industry’s night of nights - the 2011 annual AON Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards.

This year marks the 15th consecutive year the awards have been held with the gala awards evening to be held on 24 February 2012. Chairman of the Board of Trustees Gerald Barrack said the committee was preparing an exciting program for the 2011 Awards Night which is expected to attract some 400 attendees.

This year, he said, existing categories have been revised and several new awards introduced which are designed to cater to specific growth areas of the tourism industry, new innovations and a focus on environmental and cultural sustainability.

Gold sponsor Air Pacific has also introduced an award for tourism marketing which recognizes the outstanding marketing efforts of an individual or organisation in supporting tourism in Fiji.

AON General Manager, Stephen Price said his organisation was very excited to announce its renewed commitment as principal sponsor of the AON Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards.

“As the event continues to grow AON is delighted to link our brand to what has become the glamour event of the Fiji tourism calendar,” he said.

The 2011 Awards Committee this year is composed of Chairman of the Board of Trustees Gerald Barrack along with fellow trustees, Dick Smith, Radike Qereqeretabua, Errol Fifer and “YP” Reddy, Tourism Fiji CEO Josefa Tuamoto CEO, Kelly Eastgate of Tourism Fiji, Josephine Smith-Moffat of Musket Cove Resort, Cherie and Hank Arts of the Chilli Tree Café and Jack Stark of the Warwick Group.

A ‘Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards’ facebook page has also been created to provide regular updates and information. Hard copy forms are also available from Tourism Fiji.

The national tourist office will be accepting nominations up until 16 December 2011.

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

Fiji Me - Reggae Me - Wisconsin Me

It would appear that wherever you go in the world, somewhere there is always a smiling and very proud Fijian doing his or her bit to impart a slice of the 'Bula Spirit' and promote Fiji as evidenced by Pita Kotobalavu, the leader of US-based Fijian reggae group, Unity the Band, who now lives in Appleton, in the mid-west state of Wisconsin.

Pita and his group recently performed at the Wisconsin State Fair where judging by the photo, he won several new 'friends of Fiji' who are now proudly sporting their 'Fiji me' caps and t-shirts in their home town of Neenah, Wisconsin, and as a result helping do their bit to promote the destination to a brand new audience.

Fiji On Display As BBAC Raises For £19,500 Charity

Thanks to generous support from the Acting High Commissioner of the Republic of Fiji, Mr Senitieli Wainiu and sponsorship from Tourism Fiji’s UK regional office, the fifth annual Bite-Back at Cancer Ball in London has raised an amazing £19,500 (FJD54,700) for Bite-Back Shark & Marine Conservation and Marie Curie Cancer Care – almost as much as the previous three years combined!

Significantly the launch of a lottery to win a two week trip for two to Fiji including international flights, transfers and diving, helped boost the fundraising total to an all time record high.

One lucky diver, Steven Malone, had the last number of his winning ticket picked at random from 963 entries by Mr Wainiu onboard the venue for the event, the RS Hispaniola moored opposite the world-famous London Eye on the River Thames.

For the second year, the prestigious Thames venue played host to 130 divers but this time included the excitement and drama of Fijian warriors, dancers and the chance to sample the traditional Fijian drink of Kava. In another first, the evening also premiered a trailer for the forthcoming film by David Diley, ‘From the Office to the Ocean’, filmed on location in Fiji.

Following a top class three course dinner, 16 auction lots went under the hammer including a week long Basking Shark trip with Acuatours in Scotland, a Nautilus Lifeline from Milflex Hoses, technical dive instruction from Diving Matrix plus a one week holiday to Vilamendhoo Island Resorts and Spa with Euro Divers. In total the auction helped contribute a massive £7,000 (FJD19,600) to the overall total.

Coordinator for the Bite-Back at Cancer Ball, Stuart Keasley, said the organisation remained enormously grateful for the support and enthusiasm from Tourism Fiji.

“Tourism Fiji’s involvement added a new dimension to the event and captured the imagination of thousands of divers around the world,” he said.

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

Captain Cook Cruises opens new office at Nadi Airport

Captain Cook Cruises Fiji has opened a new office at Nadi International Airport allowing the company to offer its passengers additional guest services and add further value to its existing products and services.

Located in the Arrival Concourse and operating from 5am to 9pm daily, one of the office’s functions will be to act as a meet and greet for passengers booked on the Reef Endeavour and Sailing Safari cruises.

Captain Cook Cruises is confident the office offers potential to attract new business and customers.

Commander Semi Koroilavesau , Managing Director, Captain Cook Cruises Fiji said the new office was a wonderful addition to Captain Cook Cruises Fiji operations.

“It will not only act as a ‘Meet and Greet’ point for direct Captain Cook Cruises passengers but also service all product inquiries, booking reconfirmations and customers making new bookings on arrival into Fiji,” he said.

For more information visit www.captaincook.com.fj.

Quiet achiever – Fashionable facelift underway at Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa

Silence is golden – and so is the upgrade taking place at the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa between the 24th of October and the 18th of December 2011.

Sofitel’s extensive guestroom refurbishment program is expected to create maximum impact on completion yet minimum interruption during its progression, thanks to forward thinking from management and the resort’s vast layout

The resort’s new look will involve a luxury upgrade of all furniture, carpet floorings, paint, wallpaper and glass shower screens.

As part of the facelift, Sofitel will also introduce a new Luxury Room category available from January 2012, positioned above the resort’s Superior Room type yet below its suites.

For further information about the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa and other hotels in the network visit ,www.sofitel.com

Taveuni Palms wins ‘Luxury Villa Resort, Fiji’ at 2011 World Luxury Hotel Awards

Taveuni Palms Resort was awarded best ‘Luxury Villa Resort - Fiji’ for the second year running at the prestigious World Luxury Hotel Awards ceremony in Zagreb, Croatia.

Considered the most prominent awards exclusive to the luxury hotel industry, the World Luxury Hotel Awards are judged by a selected global panel of independent travel industry consultants who also consider votes cast by hotel guests based on facilities and service excellence at some of the world’s finest luxury hotels also competing for this esteemed recognition.

For more information visit www.taveunipalms.com

JMC takes out top ‘green’ award accolade at 2011 World Travel Awards

Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort has been named ‘Australasia's Leading Green Hotel’ at the 2011 World Travel Awards. This is the second time the Savusavu-based resort has taken out the title having previously won in 2008.

This latest win brings the resort’s World Travel Awards tally to seven having also won the ‘Fiji's Leading Resort’ accolade in 2005, 2008 and 2009.

In 2007 the resort was recognised as ‘Fiji's Leading Boutique Resort’ while the resort's Villa was named ‘Fiji's Leading Suite.’

For more information visit www.fijiresort.com.

Fiji Beach Resort & Spa Names ‘International Spa of the Year’ at the Prestigious Awards

Fiji Beach Resort and Spa, managed by Hilton, has scooped two top accolades at the 13th annual Pevonia Botanica Annual Awards 2011 held in Sydney’s Darling Harbour last month.

The Denarau resort was awarded the coveted ‘International Spa of the Year’ award for its outstanding service and growth as a Pevonia Botanica concept spa seeing off fierce competition from world-class independent and resort spas throughout the world, including the Maldives, Seychelles, Indonesia, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands.

Spa manager Akosita Tukana was also awarded runner-up ‘Best Spa Manager of the Year’

For further information please contact the Sales Manager, Ms Heather Gordon at heather.gordon@hilton.com or visit www.fijibeachresortbyhilton.com

Chef’s Hat 1 - Tadrai Island Resort announces its Head Chef

Tadrai Island Resort is pleased to announce the appointment of Chef Chad Arthur as its Head Chef. He will join the Tadrai team from his current position as Head Chef at Wahoo, Peregian Beach on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.

During his time as an apprentice chef at Kingfisher Bay Resort (North Queensland), Chad won the Gold Medal at the Tourism Training’s Sunshine Coast ’Salon Culinaire’ competition for the Senior Apprentice category.

Chad’s previous career highlights in Australia include Chef de Partie at Sheraton Mirage on the Gold Coast, Sous Chef at Barzura in Sydney, Chef de Partie at Aromas at Noosa Heads, Chef de Partie at Berardo’s at Noosa Heads and most recently Head Chef at Wahoo Kitchen, Peregian Beach. Chad also worked a Sous Chef at Jardine Restaurant in Cape Town, South Africa.

For further information visit www.tadrai.com

Chef’s Hat 2 - Tokoriki Island Resort Welcomes Chef Steele

Tokoriki Island Resort last month welcomed Australian Chef Jeremy Steele to the resort as part of its International Guest Chef program.

Chef Steele who worked in some of the finest hotel kitchens and restaurants around the globe worked closely with Tokoriki’s Chefs and Restaurant team to demonstrate how local and imported food can be fused to produce exceptional culinary delights.

Following several years working at exclusive resorts in the South Pacific, Chef Steele is currently based on the east coast of Australia. He has worked and travelled extensively in Europe, Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

Chef Steele’s next mission is to Doha, Qatar at the exclusive Ritz Carlton Hotel to represent Australia in the ‘Festival of Senses’ showcasing modern Australian cuisine

For more information please contact Narelle Christoffersen at World Resorts of
Distinction on sales@wrd.com.au.

Chef’s Hat 3 - Nuku Chef a Proud Ambassador for Fiji in International Chef Challenge

Chef Mere Rasigatale of Nuku, the acclaimed signature restaurant at the Fiji Beach Resort and Spa, managed by Hilton, has confirmed her place as one of the culinary world’s rising stars, representing Fiji in the Pacific Rim semi-finals of the prestigious Hans Bueschkens Junior Chefs Challenge 2011.

Held in Auckland, Mere competed against top young chefs from Australia, New Zealand, Vanuatu and Guam to create a three course gourmet meal for eight people in just four hours.

Mere narrowly missed out to Australian representative Cameron Whetton for a place at the World Final to be held in South Korea in May 2012, Open to chefs under 25 years old, the Challenge brings together the world’s best and brightest emerging chefs, with up-and-coming talent from over 90 countries represented.

Mere has previously won national accolades including Pastry Chef of the Year and Runner-Up Junior Chef of the Year at the 2010 National Fiji Salon Culinaire awards.

For further information please contact the Sales Manager, Ms Heather Gordon at heather.gordon@hilton.com or visit www.fijibeachresortbyhilton.com

From River to Cave

Sigatoka River Safari has introduced a new tour called ‘The Off Road Cave Safari’ which gives visitors the opportunity to travel ‘off road’ to the historic Naihehe Cave near Sigatoka Town.

The cave is one of Fiji’s best known natural wonders with extraordinary rock formations, a sacred pond and a legendary 'pregnancy gap' leading to the great Cathedral Chamber. Once a fortress for the last pagan tribes of Fiji the caves are still considered sacred today and local people still visit to pay tribute to their ancestors.

For more information contact Jay Whyte
via email at safari@sigatokariver.com.

Pacific Destinationz launches new tour trio

Pacific Destinationz has announced the addition of three new tours highlighting the Nadi region, a Nakavu region traditional village visit and the Coral Coast.

The half-day ‘Nadi Faces & Places’ tour combines a Fijian village visit with a the Gardens of the Sleeping Giants, a tour of Nadi’s Hindu Temple, the largest in the South Pacific and the popular Nadi market giving tourists the opportunity to meet and interact with the local people and shopping for fresh local fruit and vegetables.

Described as an authentic Fijian experience, the full-day ‘Navua Village & Waterfall Tour’ includes a river ride on aboard a long boat to visit a traditional village at Nakavu where guests will be welcomed with a traditional kava ceremony and lunch. The tour also includes a visit to the local school, a waterfall visit and swim and a ride on a traditional ‘bilibili’ raft.

The perfect way to discover Fiji’s spectacular Coral Coast, highlights of the half-day ‘Coral Coast Faces & Places Tour’ include a visit to Fiji’s only wild life reserve, the Kula Eco Park, a visit to the Sigatoka market and a delicious lunch at Yatule Beach Resort located on beautiful Natadola Beach.

For more information please contact Pacific Destinationz via email at Tours@pdfj.com.fj

Fiji to celebrate ‘Diwali 2011’ - the Festival of Lights

Fiji’s major international gateway Nadi will once again form the epicentre for this year’s Diwali Festival, one of the most colourful events of the year and certainly one of the Hindu religion’s oldest celebrations.

The town will come alive at 7.00pm on 21 October when the official ‘lighting of the torch’ ceremony takes place.

Thousands of visitors, both local and international, and many sporting brand new, brightly coloured Diwali outfits, will descend on the town to eat special Diwali treats and enjoy a host of entertainment, organised by the local town council.

This year’s line-up includes a ‘Battle of the Bands’, talent shows, dance and cultural displays.

A highlight of the event takes place at the R.B.Patel Jetpoint in Nadi when local school children and the public are invited to help light traditional oil lamps known as 'diyas' before the town’s street light displays are switched on.

The festival concludes with a huge street party and fireworks display on 25 October.

For further information, please contact the Diwali Celebration Committee, Dr Ram Raju at rraju@connect.com.fj

Uprising Resort Music, Dance and Lights Festival.

One of the biggest events now taking place annually on the Pacific Coast, Uprising Resort's second annual Music, Dance and Lights Festival will take place on the 05th November.

This year the program will feature several of Fiji's best emergent talent including dance performance groups Vou and Shobna Chanel plus a host of live music supplied by several local bands.

Kids' stations, activities and food outlets all help to add to what represents a fun and action filled day.

The event is scheduled to run from midday until midnight.

For more information please contact Alfie Christoffersen at alfie@uprisingbeachresort.com

New Zealand enters four teams coached by Union Greats In Fiji’s Coral Coast 7’s

New Zealand rugby enthusiasts have pledged their support for Fiji by announcing they will be entering four teams into Fiji’s Coral Coat 7’s tournament taking place on Fiji’s Coral Coast in November with all teams to be coached by rugby union greats.

The Coral Coast 7’s will be held on Friday 18 and Saturday 19 November and this year will see 24 premier teams including 16 local teams and for the first time up to eight overseas teams battle it out in over 60 matches during the two day tournament, competing not just for the title but for the major prize money of $30,000.

There are four teams entering from New Zealand.

These include Rangataua Rugby team from the Bay of Plenty, coached by former New Zealand Sevens Captain, Matua Parkinson, the New Zealand Fiji Barbarians, coached by Amasio Valence, who will be making his coaching debut, Suburbs from west Auckland coached by renowned 7’s coach Ramsey Tomokino and Wellington, coached by former Samoa flyhalf Earl Va'a.

For more information visit www.fijiscoralcoastsevens.com

Fiji helps Bondi Lifesavers train for English Channel Swim

A group of lifesavers from Australia’s world-famous Bondi Beach have chosen Fiji as the training round for a series of English Channel swim attempts they have planned for 2012.

The lifesavers, now international stars thanks to the ‘Bondi Rescue’ TV show now televised around the world, all took part in the recent 19 kilometre swim from the Sofitel Resort & Spa in Denarau to Beachcomber Island in the Mamanucas.

These included Bondi surf lifesaver and champion ocean swimmer Louise Stevenson who completed a double crossing to raise funds for the 2011 Christchurch Earthquake Appeal with a swim time of nine hours and 45 minutes.

The race this year included 12-year-old Swapnali Yadav from Mumbai who completed the Sofitel-Beachcomber leg in a time of seven hours and five minutes.

For more information on Fiji’s annual swim calendar, visit www.fijiswims.com.

Hellfish agreement hell of a boost for Fiji surfing

The Fiji Surfing Association has signed an agreement with Brisbane-based surfboard manufacturer John Milne of Hellfish in a sponsorship deal worth $270,000 over a span of nine years.

The sponsorship provides for Hellfish to supply 20 boards per annum for team riders, prizes and junior surfing development plus a minimum 28-days per year of support from Mr Milne and his team riders, coaches and technical officials.

FSA president John Philp said the long-term development with Mr Milne was a major bonus for the FSA as it allowed time for development of not only boards but a relationship between shaper and surfer that is only generally offered to the very top echelon of elite surfers.

"As our representative in Australia, John is well-placed with media, corporate and industry contacts to help the FSA achieve its strategic goals in the next few years,” he said.

"With his years of experience in sport and sport promotion, John is also well-placed to advise and represent the FSA in its fundraising and sponsorship procurement efforts for future events on the surfing calendar.

For more info contact John Milne, visit www.hellfishsurfboards.com.au.

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