FIJI VISITOR ARRIVALS BREAK NEW JUNE RECORD

For the third month running Fiji's international tourist arrival numbers have broken new ground with figures released by the Fiji Bureau of Statistics this week showing the destination set a new record in June hosting just under 56,000 visitors.

The 55,995 figure achieved for the month easily surpasses the previous highest ever visitor arrival figure - and four-year record - set in June 2006 when Fiji welcomed 52,795 international arrivals

The June 2010 figure brings total arrivals for the year to 272,520 – bang on course for the national tourist office’s target of 600,000. That figure in itself sets a new benchmark for Fiji and in the process eclipses the previous record set for a January-June period in 2008 – a total of 270, 856 - by an additional 1664 visitor arrivals.

An exuberant Tourism Fiji CEO Josefa Tuamoto drew attention to the ongoing strong performance being achieved in Australia which once again smashed all previous visitor figures for a month of June.

Numbers for the period reached a huge 27,651 arrivals - a massive 48.3 per cent increase over the corresponding period in 2009. Mr Tuamoto also pointed towards the positive inroads being achieved in the New Zealand and US markets, both of which had registered substantial gains over the six month period with visitor arrival growth increasing exponentially by 16.4 and 9.1 per cent, respectively.

Mr Tuamoto said he was particularly gratified with the national tourist office’s ongoing efforts in several key emerging markets, and in particular China and India which have seen both countries emerge this year as respective eighth and ninth most important sources of visitor arrivals. Visitor arrivals from China increased by 31.3 per cent to reach 7684 for the six month period.

Indian visitor arrivals also climbed impressively reaching 1437, an increase of 28.6 per cent. Mr Tuamoto said traffic from the UK/Europe had also increased by 3 per cent.

"We are still bang on course for the 600,000 'best ever visitor' target we set ourselves last year.” Fiji's best ever international visitor figure remains the 582, 602 benchmark set for the 12 month period January – December 2008.

For further information, contact Tourism Fiji’s Manager Fiji, Ms Fane Vave at fvave@tourismfiji.com.fj or Marketing Officer, Mr. Iowane Naivalurua at inaivalurua@tourismfiji.com.fj

AIR PACIFIC HK–NADI SERVICE INCREASE MAJOR BOOST FOR FIJI TOURISM

Tourism Fiji has roundly applauded Air Pacific‘s decision to boost its Hong Kong-Nadi route with a third service from next December.

Describing the national carrier’s move as a huge boost for Fiji tourism aspirations in the key China market, Tourism Fiji CEO Josefa Tuamoto said the airline’s decision to implement the new service ten months ago had been more than vindicated by the substantial increase in Chinese visitor arrivals Fiji had welcomed since Air Pacific commenced flying on the route.

“We have seen an exponential increase in our visitor arrival figures from China with 2010 quarter 2 numbers already closing in on the 8000 mark,” he said. “This has effectively pushed China into place as our eighth main source of international arrivals.”

Mr Tuamoto said while the numbers came off a relatively small base, the 7,684 Chinese visitor arrivals recorded for the period January to June represented a close on 32 per cent increase over the same period last year.

“This is directly attributable to the success our tourism industry has enjoyed since Air Pacific implemented the direct services,” he said. Mr Tuamoto also paid tribute to the sterling efforts the local tourism industry has gone to in the China market including attendance at major consumer and trade events in Guangzhou and Hong Kong.

Just last month in Shanghai with Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama and Attorney General & Minister for Tourism Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum in attendance, Tourism Fiji launched the national tourist office’s first ever Fiji travel planner for the Chinese market. Mr Tuamoto said a significant competitive advantage the Hong Kong-Nadi service represents is the variety of airline options it offers to connect Fiji with others parts of northern Asia.

This is particularly the case with India where the tourism industry has been active in recent months delivering industry updates and travel agents workshops in Bangalore, Mumbai and New Delhi.

For further information, please contact Tourism Fiji’s executive office at shill@tourismfiji.com.fj

CCTV VISITS FIJI

A direct result of the attention Fiji has received as part of its attendance at the 2010 World EXPO in Shanghai, Tourism Fiji in partnership with South Pacific Tourism Organization and Air Pacific last month invited China Central TV (CCTV) to Fiji.

The invitation formed part of the Fijian tourism industry’s combined efforts to keep the destination top of mind in this key emerging market.

The main thrust of the CCTV visit was to collate footage for inclusion in a forthcoming Fiji TV special which will showcase the products holding most appeal to the Chinese market and particularly high end product including cultural and sporting activities, soft adventure, resorts and hotels. While in Fiji the CCTV team visited the Arts Village in Pacific Harbour and experienced game fishing and several watersports.

The crew also travelled to Suva where they met with Fiji TV’s head of current affairs Geoffrey Smith to discuss mutual opportunities between the two stations.

CCTV is the People's Republic of China’s national TV station and one of China’s most important news broadcast companies. A backbone of the Chinese news media, the station also acts as an effective channel for communication between China and the rest of the world. It operates 19 public channels (including bus and subway TV), 15 paid digital TV channels, two IPTV channels and one HDTV channel broadcasting more than 800 hours programs a day.

Audience reach extends to more than 120 countries and regions with more than 68 million overseas users.

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

100 FIJI BOOKINGS = $100 SHOPPING ‘VOUCHER FOR OUR PACIFIC’S LIZ GRIMSHAW

Reflecting Fiji’s ongoing appeal with the New Zealand market, Our Pacific Holidays’ (Ponsonby) and Matai Fiji specialist Liz Grimshaw has booked 100 people on Fiji holidays throughout September to earn herself a $100 Westfield shopping voucher from Tourism Fiji’s New Zealand office.

The prize forms part of an ongoing Tourism Fiji Matai Fiji specialist agents’ incentive running until 31 October.

As part of the scheme, the Matai agent selling the most Fiji bookings across the entire incentive period with the opportunity to win a seven-night Fiji holiday with the $100 shopping voucher given to the agent selling the most Fiji holidays on a monthly basis.

The agent selling the second highest number of Fiji holiday bookings up until the end of the incentive will win a free place on a Matai famil confirmed to take place next November.

For more information please contact Tourism Fiji New Zealand Information Officer Esava Nadolo at esava@tourismfijinz.com

FIJI AWARENESS IN THE "BIG NOODLE"

To continue the drive in spreading the awareness on Fiji as a holiday destination in Hong Kong, Tourism Fiji in partnership with Air Pacific attended a seminar organized by Charming Holidays at the Langham Hotel, Mong Kong on the 15th September 2010.

The event attracted over 200 agents

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

‘HAFA ADAI’ GUAM

Building on the impact Continental Airlines’ services to Fiji via Guam have had since their inception in September 2009, Tourism Fiji and industry partners Captain Cook Cruises and the Radisson Fiji will fly the flag at three key travel events scheduled to take place in the Micronesian destination throughout October.

These include the ‘Around the World at a Glance’ Travel Fair on 13 October, the ‘2010 Annual Andersen Travel Fair’ on 14 October and the ‘Guam Micronesian Island Fair’ on 15 October.

Tourism Fiji CEO Josefa Tuamoto said it was very important for Fiji to be as visible as possible at all three events given the evidence that visitor arrivals from both the US and Japanese markets had seen improvement since the commencement of the direct services.

Operating from both its main Pacific hub in Guam and also from Honolulu to Nadi, the Continental Airlines services feed directly into the existing services the airline currently operates from a variety of ports within the US mainland and several Japanese cities.

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

FIJI TO SAY ‘BULA’ AT WYSTC

Tourism Fiji and the Fiji Islands Backpacker Association (FIBA) will join resources to attend the 2010 World Youths Student Travel Conference (WYSTC) taking place in Beijing from 17-20 October.

One of the biggest events of its kind and attracting youth, student and educational travel professionals from all over the world, the three-day event provides a unique opportunity to glean world class industry expertise while developing opportunities with potential partners.

More than 1,000 delegates representing 450 youth travel companies from 85 countries will be in attendance at this year’s event, venue for which will be the China World Hotel and Trade Centre.

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

ITB ASIA

Tourism Fiji in partnership with Rosie Holidays and Tour Managers will participate at one of Asia’s premier trade and convention events, ITB Asia, which runs from 20-22 October 2010 in Singapore.

One of the biggest events of its type to be staged in south-east Asia, the three-day event offers an excellent venue to both showcase product as well as develop new business contacts.

Venue for the three-day event is the huge Suntec City, one of the biggest exhibition and convention centres in the Asia region.

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

SYDNEY ADVENTURE TRAVEL & BACKPACKER EXPO

Hot on the heels of their attendance at WYSTC, Tourism Fiji, Air Pacific and FIBA will make the trek all the way to Australia to attend the Sydney Adventure Travel & Backpacker Expo taking place at the Centennial Town Hall from 06 – 07 November.

Now in its 16th year, the event annually attracts some 200 industry professionals from around the globe.

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

LONDON CALLING – TF AND PARTNERS TO ATTEND 2010 WORLD TRAVEL MART

Tourism Fiji and its industry partners will be wrapping up and heading north next November when they will again participate in one of the world’s largest travel events – the 2010 World Travel Mart scheduled from 08 – 11 November at the Excel Centre in London.

A four-day event, the World Travel Mart is viewed by the international travel community as a ‘must attend’ event.

Staged annually in London under one roof, WTM is a business to business exhibition that provides a unique opportunity for the entire global trade industry to meet, network, negotiate and conduct business.

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

TOURISM FIJI BACKPACKER FLYER

Tourism Fiji will make sure all participants attending both the Beijing and Sydney backpacker expos are kept very up to date with the latest Fiji happenings via a new release ‘Backpacker’ flyer to be distributed at both events.

The brochure will for the first time be published in Mandarin.

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

FIHTA RE-ELECTS DIXON SEETO

Dixon Seeto will continue at the helm of the Fiji Islands Hotel and Tourism Association after being successfully reelected to the presidency in Nadi last week.

Mr Seeto said underlined the importance of the association’s work and the role it plays on a national level especially in terms of furthering employment within the tourism sector and bringing in foreign exchange earnings.

However, he said, one of the key activities listed on his current agenda, expanding FITHA membership, would take priority.

One of his first tasks since being reelected will be to honour all 131 current FIHTA associate members with full membership bringing the total numbers of members to 151.

The FIHTA board includes Michael Monks of Shangri La's Fijian Resort and Spa, Allan Gortan of Paradise Taveuni, Peter Hopgood of Outrigger on the Lagoon, Lee Pearce of Accor Group, Greg Taylor of Jean Michel Cousteau Resort, Semi Koroilavesau of Captain Cook Cruises, YP Reddy of Tanoa Hotels, Tammie Tam of Naviti Resort, Bill Whiting of Treasure Island, Adam Laker of Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa, and Gordon Wilson of Tanoa Hotels.

For further information, please visit www.fihta.com.fj

FIBA LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE

A brand new online resource targeting the estimated 400,000 international backpackers visiting Fiji every year, the Fiji Islands Backpackers Association (FIBA) has this month launched its new look website.

Easily located at www.fiji-backpacking.com the new FIBA website offers a wealth of comprehensive facts and figures for this key market segment.

Features include in-depth information covering off the huge range of backpacker accommodation located across the entire archipelago, transportation, sightseeing and soft adventure activities and the Fijian culture as well as a host of essential destiantion information.

For more information please contact Mr Errol Fifer at accounts@nadibay.com.fj

PACIFIC SUN ANNOUNCES NEW CHECK IN TIME

Effective 15 September, Pacific Sun has announced airport check-in counter for all flights will close 30 minutes before scheduled departure.

For passengers’ convenience the check-in counters will open one hour and 30 minutes prior to flight departures to allow time for security checks and to avoid misconnections.

Late arrivals will not be allowed to board and will be required to re-book their flight on the next available service for a fee. The new check-in times are part of the airline’s ongoing efforts to improve on time flights and better service delivery.

For further information, please visit www.pacificsun.com.fj.

ACCOR EXTREME CHALLENGE RAISES F$382,150 FOR CURE KIDS FIJI CHARITY

More than 70 Accor staff from across Australia, New Zealand and Fiji recently competed in the ‘Accor Extreme Challenge to Cure Kids 2010’event held in Fiji last month in the process raising F$382,150 for the children’s charity Cure Kids Fiji which fund initiatives to improve health odds for the children of Fiji..

Through its partnership with Cure Kids Fiji, Accor help fund basic, life-saving medicines and equipment, and the now iconic bi-annual adventure challenge staged by the international hotel group this year incorporated a new ‘Extreme Makeover’ to transform and update Nadi Hospital’s maternity ward.

Previously called the ‘Accor Race to Survive’ in 2006 and 2008, the new look Accor Extreme Challenge event remains a major fundraiser for Cure Kids Fiji to purchase vital medical equipment and medicines.

This year’s competition involved swimming, kayaking and running capped off with a complete makeover of the Nadi Hospital with the help of Cure Kids partners for the event - Rosie Holidays and Accor Hotels.

Monies raised in previous events has been donated to the neo-natal and Paediatric Intensive Care Units at Lautoka Hospital and basic medical items for the childrens ward at the Nadi Hospital. Funds have also been used to aid annual visits by paediatric kidney specialists and INTERPLAST teams who carry out cleft palate and lip surgeries.

More than $120,000 of money raised by Accor in the past has also been used to fund a rheumatic heart disease control and prevention programme to detect and treat children with the disease. Three ventilators being used at Suva's Colonial War Memorial Hospital were also bought through these funds.

For further information please contact Rebecca Freestun via email at rebecca.freestun@accor.com.

‘DISCOVER THE PASSION’ - CORAL COAST HOTELS LAUNCH 2010 CORAL COAST SEVENS

Heralding a major new event for rugby-mad Fiji and a new draw card for visitors, the Coral Coast Chapter of the Fiji Islands Hotels & Tourism Association (FIHTA) has emerged as the major sponsor of the inaugural Coral Coast tournament taking place in Sigatoka on 19-20 November 2010.

Major sponsors for the event include Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort & Spa, Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji, Rydges Hideaway, The Naviti Resort, Warwick Fiji Resort & Spa, Coastal Rental Cars, Fiji Sun, Fiji Broadcasting Company Ltd, Tapoos Ltd and Pacific Destionationz. Tourism Fiji also sits on the event committee.

Unveiling a new logo and ‘Discover the Passion’ tagline for the tournament, Coral Coast Sevens 2010 sub-committee chairperson, Jay Whyte, co-founder of the Sigatoka Rover Safari, said Nadroga people were passionate about their rugby and rightly deserved to host an international Sevens tournament.

The new event, he said, was intended to showcase current and emerging rugby talent in Fiji while at the same time attracting overseas teams and other visitors to come and experience Fiji-style rugby.

For further information, please contact Coral Coast Sevens Committee Chairman, Jay White at jay@sigatokariver.com

STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS ANNOUNCE NEW TOP MANAGEMENT ROLES FOR LOCAL BOYS

Starwood Hotels & Resorts have announced the appointment of ‘local boy’ Uraia Rasake as Executive Assistant Manager for the Westin Denarau Island Resort & Spa.

A former student of Dudley High School in Suva, Mr Rasake will now take responsibility for managing overall hotel operations and coordinating with different department heads.

Mr Rasake who hails from Kadavu previously held the position of Director Human Resources for the resort.

His appointment is one of several localised positions the Starwood group has made within its Fiji properties in recent months including Ravinder Dhesi as Executive Assistant Manager for Sheraton Fiji Resort and Sheraton Denarau Villas.

A Votualevu Primary and College (Nadi) old boy, Mr Dhesi was formerly Director of Finance for the Sheraton & Westin Resorts complex and the Denarau Golf & Racquet Club.

For further information, please contact Marketing Communications, Ms Angeline Lal at angeline.lal@sheraton.com

OUTRIGGER ON THE LAGOON’S EGO NICELY MASSAGED AS BEBE SPA NAMED ‘SPA DESIGN OF THE YEAR’

Outrigger on the Lagoon Resort’s Bebe Spa Sanctuary has been awarded the prestigious 2010 ‘Spa Design of the Year Award (Oceania)’.

Accepting the award at the annual Pevonia Botanica International Spa Awards held in Sydney’s Cockle Bay Wharf, General Manager Peter Hopgood said the Outrigger family was honoured to receive the award.

The award, he said, not only highlighted the Bebe Spa’s world class facilities but also reinforced the resort’s focus on delivering a luxury experience.

“We’ve been judged against some of the world’s best and are proud to have been acknowledged as possessing a distinctive quality and character that sets us apart from the rest,” he said.

For further information visit www.outriggerfiji.com or www.bebespafiji.com

WESTIN MOO-VES TO OPEN MOO MOO THE WINE BAR & GRILL

The Westin Denarau Island Resort & Spa has officially opened its latest food and beverage offering, Moo Moo The Wine Bar & Grill.

The moo-ve to open the new restaurant follows the success of another Australian-themed outlet, Flying Fish Restaurant, which opened at the Westin’s sister resort, Sheraton Fiji, in November 2008, In addition, to its famous special steak menu, Moo Moo’s guests are able to choose from a selection of fresh seafood, pork, duck and vegetarian dishes. An endless choice of mouth-watering dessert is also available.

For further information, please contact restaurant.fiji@westin.com

ABOVE THE WATERLINE - ADRENALIN FIJI INTROS NEW JET SKI FLEET

Presenting visitors to the Mamanuca Islands with a brand new marine activity, Adrenalin Fiji is now offering two daily Jet Ski safaris using the soft adventure specialist’s newest big boys' toys – a dozen sleek state of the art Sea-Doo GTI-130’s.

The daily safaris, duration for which is around 2.5 hours, are timed to depart at 8:00 am and 11:00 am on a daily basis, subject to prevailing weather conditions.

For more information, please contact info@adrenalinfiji.com

BELOW THE WATERLINE - SNORKEL FREE OCEAN EXPLORATION DEBUTS IN FIJI

A fun and exciting way to enjoy the undersea world without a mask and offering a new, ‘snorkel-free’ entry into Fiji’s spectacular underwater world, a fleet of Reefspi personal ocean explorers which are available at Plantation Island Resort, Namale Resort & Spa, Likuliku Lagoon Resort and Robinson Crusoe’s Island Resort.

The SeaTrek Reef spi is a single-person electric-drive watercraft equipped with a viewer which enables riders to enjoy the marine life below, much like a battery-powered personal glass-bottomed boat.

For further informatian, please contact SeaTrek Managing Director, Mr Kamal Sen at KamalSen@SeaTrekBoats.com

OUTRIGGER DEVELOPS OPPORTUNITIES FOR UNEMPLOYED YOUTH

Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji has given thirty unemployed young Fijians youths the opportunity of a lifetime with a head start in a hospitality career.

The youth from the resort’s surrounding villages were given the opportunity to learn vital hospitality skills as part of a recent intensive two week training course held at the resort.

Part of an ongoing strategy to help the region’s young people in developing career opportunities, the Outrigger opens its doors every three months to groups of thirty of the area’s unemployed and disadvantaged youngsters via a selection process undertaken by the resort’s recruitment department. This includes an interview and English and maths testing prior to the youngsters being offered the prospect of learning the ropes in housekeeping and F&B.

General Manager Peter Hopgood said the program gives local youths a chance to break into a sought after hospitality job and earn a livelihood in Fiji’s largest industry, tourism.

‘Fijian people have such a natural flair for hospitality with their warm personalities and friendly nature. The Outrigger Family is proud that this program enables local youths with the chance to develop their natural abilities in ways they will find satisfying and rewarding,” he said.

For further information, please visit www.outriggerfiji.com

SONAISALI ISLAND RESORT INTRODUCES FREE BABYSITTING

Sonaisali Island Resort has introduced a free babysitting package for guests staying three nights or more on the island offering eight hours free babysitting per bure per day.

There is a strong rumour sweeping Fiji that the resort’s Managing Director Aaron McGrath, himself a new dad, is the brains behind the new service.

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

MATAVA THANKSGIVING PARTY TO FEATURE SCUBARADIO CREW

For a ‘Thanksgiving’ with a difference Matava Resort will host dive-oriented ScubaRadio and its special guests ‘The Mermaids’ for a week of fun, diving and turkey gobbling when the resort stages a ‘Thanksgiving’ party in November.

ScubaRadio is a dive-themed radio talk show which features first hand accounts of divers various experiences in the underwater world.

For further information please contact Matava Island Resort at info@matava.com

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