FIJI’S 2011 Q1 TOURISM EARNINGS INCREASE BY FJD10.2M

Earnings generated by tourism in the first quarter of 2011 are estimated by the Fiji Bureau of Statistics to be FJD209.4 million. This represents an increase of FJD10.2 million (five per cent) over the gross earnings achieved across Q1 2010.

The increase has been attributed to the increase in total visitor days which rose across the period by 65,519 days, a 5.2 per cent increase over the same period in 2010.

More than 50 per cent of the tourism income can be attributed to Australian visitors who are estimated to have contributed FJD103.4 million followed by New Zealand at FJD20.8 million.

The Americans were the third largest revenue earners for Fiji at FJD19.1 million followed by Pacific island residents at FJD14.3 million. Visitation from Asia contributed FJD13.9 million followed by Continental Europe (FJD13.3 million), the UK (FJD9.7 million), Canada (FJD6.1 million), Japan (FJD4 million), Korea (FJD2 million) and Malaysia (FJD0.2 million).

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

‘A DINNER DATE WITH A DIFFERENCE IN FIJI’

Complete with a romantic dinner for two and cleverly positioning Fiji as a new alternative short-stay destination for time-poor/cash-rich Kiwi couples, Air Pacific and travel industry partners in Fiji and New Zealand have pooled resources to release a new two-day package in Denarau.

The national carrier has joined forces with the Westin Denarau Island Resort & Spa and NZ-based Infinity Holidays to release the adults-only package which is being promoted as ‘a dinner date with a difference in Fiji.”

The new package is seen as a direct result from the impact achieved by a recent Tourism Fiji regional New Zealand road show which saw the national tourist office, Air Pacific and nine Nadi/Denarau hotel and resort operators visit five separate regions of the country.

Close on 300 Kiwi agents and travel professionals attended the events, geared to re-focus attention on the Nadi/Denarau tourism corridor and update on the many developments taking place there.

Tourism Fiji Regional Director New Zealand, Sala Toganivalu said a key component of the August roadshow was to position the region as a perfect short stay option for time-poor/cash rich Kiwi couples looking for an alternative to long weekends in Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne.

Pictured enjoying the snow while on the road in NZ, the Fiji tourism industry team attending the recent Nadi/Denarau regional update series.

For more information please contact Tourism Fiji Regional Director New Zealand, Sala Toganivalu at sala@tourismfijinz.com

TOURISM FIJI LAUNCHES DEDICATED ‘FIJI ME’ AUSTRALIAN WEBSITE

Tourism Fiji has launched a dedicated Australian version of the global ‘Fiji Me’ website.

Located at www.fijime.com.au, the new website is literally awash with information truly reflecting the multi-faceted nature of the destination – from family fun and boutique cruising to soft adventure, culture, surfing, spas and wellness, weddings and honeymoons and not forgetting simple relaxation!!

And - with everything geared to reflect Fiji’s ability to deliver a total holiday experience - irrespective of taste, requirement or budget!

Tourism Fiji Regional Director Australia, Paresh Pant said a major component of the new website was an inbuilt holiday planner which offers access to literally thousands of travel products and ideas.

Making life even easier and allowing travellers access to expert advice, the site also offers a comprehensive listing of the national tourist office’s more than 400 nationally-spread ‘Matai’ specialist travel agents, each of which is well fully equipped to handle any Fiji holiday requirement.


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

WORLD YOUTH STUDENT TRAVEL CONFERENCE (WYSTC)

Offering an excellent forum to monitor the development and changes occurring in the international youth and student travel market, Tourism Fiji will participate at the World Youth Student Travel Conference (WYSTC) taking place in Barcelona from 20-23 September.

The national tourist office will be represented at the event by Tourism Fiji Europe based delegate Frank Hoffmann.

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

BULA TV 1 - FIJI SERVES UP ‘BULA’ BREAKFAST TV TO MILLIONS OF AUSTRALIANS

An estimated 10.8 million Australians were served a healthy dose of Fiji for breakfast as part of a series of four live satellite broadcasts featuring hotels and resorts on Viti Levu and in the Mamanucas.

The event was all part of an initiative joining Tourism Fiji and its chief partner in the exercise Qantas Holidays. Venues for the broadcasts include the Intercontinental Golf Resort & Spa at Natadola, the Westin Denarau Island Fiji, Plantation Island Resort and Tokoriki Island Resort.

All four hotelier partners’ properties and their various activities – from sports, spas and kids clubs to culture and romantic venues – provided settings for the weather updates delivered by weather presenter Steve Jacobs.

Air Pacific has also joined in the exercise flying the crew and their equipments to Fiji.

Tourism Fiji Regional Director Australia, Paresh Pant said the advertising and PR value of the exercise was significant, estimated in excess of AUD1.6 million per day.

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

BULA TV 2 - FIJI HOSTS CHINA WORLD TRAVEL MEDIA AND TV CREW

Tourism Fiji in cooperation with its local industry partners recently hosted a four member crew from the China World Travel Media and TV crew from 29 August – 09 September 2011.

The four member crew were in Fiji to capture the ‘The Top 10 Things to Do While in Fiji’ which will feature in a 40-page lift out scheduled for World Traveler magazine and 2 x 25 minutes episode on its related TV program.

The objective of this media visitation was to create further awareness in China on what Fiji has to offer for this key emerging market.

World Traveller collates comprehensive outbound information to prominent Chinese travelers via its complex media resource platform and is in fact China’s only media group in the travel industry that incorporates TV, Magazine, guidebook, website, wireless WAP and members club.

For further information, please contact Tourism Fiji’s China representative, Ms Nancy Li at tourismfijichina@gmail.com or Marketing Officer, Ms Kathy Koyamaibole at kkoyamaibole@tourismfiji.com.fj

UK ROMANCE BLISS FAM

Tourism Fiji UK has invited the country’s top six wedding specialists to visit and experience first hand what Fiji has to offer for its wedding and honeymoon couples.

The famil scheduled from 20 – 27 September will see several Fiji resorts in the Mamanucas, Yasawas, The North, Coral Coast, Beqa and Nadi host the agents as part of a showcase demonstrating the diverse product offerings that makes Fiji’s product so unique from other international destinations.

The agents’ visit is part of a Tourism Fiji UK strategy aimed at creating further awareness of the romance product on offer in non-traditional, longer haul markets.

For further information, please contact Tourism Fiji’s UK representative, Ms Jane West at jane@ihml.com or Marketing Officer, Inise Mucunabitu at imucunabitu@tourismfiji.com.fj

RWC 2011 STORY 1 - TOURISM FIJI KEEPS TRAVEL FOCUS ON TRACK WITH OFF-PITCH ACTIVITY DURING RWC 2011

Tourism Fiji has capitalised on a strong Fiji focus being generated in Ellerslie, the Auckland suburb which has adopted the ‘Flying Fijians’ as part of the city’s ‘Adopt-a-team campaign’ during RWC 2011.

Helping keep the destination top of mind despite all the RWC 2011 hype, the national tourist office has joined forces with local retailers to launch a consumer competition offering shoppers the chance to win a Fiji holiday.

All locals have to do to have the opportunity to win a five-night holiday for two to Mana Island Resort & Spa, is spend a minimum of $15.00 in a local shop, to go into the draw to win this prize.

Giving retailers an incentive to get involved, the Ellerslie shop keeper with the best dressed Fiji window display stands to win a holiday for two to Anchorage Beach Resort/Beachcomber Island Resort.

Air Pacific has partnered in this promotion by offering prize winners return economy airfares.

The Fiji holiday promotion is just one of a whole series of events – from a week-long cultural program to traditional dance and music displays - taking place during RWC 2011 with heavy involvement from Auckland’s Fijian community.

Tourism Fiji has also been able to brand the village for the six weeks of the tournament with pole banners throughout the town featuring a rugby/Fiji Me theme.

The award winning Tourism Fiji digital temperature billboard is also at the entrance to Ellerslie Village for the whole of September completing the destination theme for this period of sporting history for NZ.

Adding even more Fijian flavour to the suburb, a traditional Lali drum is being beaten twice daily in Ellerslie Town Square at 9.00am and 12.00pm throughout RWC 2011.

For more information please contact Tourism Fiji Regional Director New Zealand, Sala Toganivalu at sala@tourismfijinz.com

RWC 2011 STORY 2 - THE FIJI POLICE BAND – AN ARRESTING SIGHT IN ELLERSLIE DURING RWC 2011

Bringing Fiji’s ‘Bula Sprit’ to a truly musical and highly colourful crescendo in Ellerslie, during RWC 2011, Fiji’s world famous Police Band will be the stars of the off-pitch, non-rugby playing activity in the suburb in coming days.

The 40-strong marching band, comprising serving police officers who regularly perform all over the world, will be staging a series of concerts in and around Ellerslie between 21-24 September.


A highlight of the band’s visit will be a parade from Kingsland to Eden Park as part of the pre-match activities leading up to the Fiji vs Samoa game at 3pm on 25 September.

For more information, please contact Tourism Fiji Regional Director New Zealand, Sala Toganivalu at sala@tourismfijinz.com

BULA UPDATE “SAVE ME”

An opportunity not to be missed - Kindly save the following dates for the following Tourism Fiji events:

1. ‘FIJI ME’ NOVEMBER TRADE CONVENTION
05 November 2011 - Plantation Island Resort

2. EUROPE BULA ACADEMY
12 November 2011 – Denarau

For further information, please contact Marketing Officers, Kiniviliame Raicebe at kraicebe@tourismfiji.com.fj or Inise Mucunabitu at imucunabitu@tourismfiji.com.fj

‘FIJI TO YOU’ SEMINARS DRAW STRONG NUMBERS IN AUSTRALIA

Taking the Fiji message to both regional and metropolitan Australia, a team of Australian based Fiji resort and cruise suppliers last month joined resources to showcase a selection of Fiji cruise operators and resorts to retail agents at breakfast and cocktail seminars.

The Fiji team included Island Escapes, Rosie Holidays, Castaway Island, Outrigger on the Lagoon, South Sea Cruises, Viwa Resort, Mana Island, Plantation Island and Air Pacific.

Venues for the event included Newcastle, Central Coast, Port Macquarie, Gold Coast, Tweed Heads, Melbourne CBD, Brisbane CBD, Byron Bay, Wollongong, Mosman and Dee Why on Sydney's Northern Beaches.

Plans are now underway to take the message to Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, the southern beach area of Cronulla, Liverpool and Penrith.

For more information contact Karen Marvell, Sales & Marketing Manager, Castaway Island, Fiji via email at karen.marvell@castawayfiji.com.au.

BUDGET CELEBRATES 35 YEARS

Budget Rent-A-Car International has celebrated its 35th anniversary in Fiji.

Since coming to Fiji the company has become the destination’s largest car hire company and now boasts 11 rental outlets throughout the country, including major airport terminals and in Denarau . Budget is also a full service provider on Vanua Levu.

The company has recently introduced several new models into its fleet including Mazda2’s, Mazda3’s and Suzuki Altos.

For further information, please contact reservations@budget.com.fj

ERASITO JOINS ROSIE HOLIDAYS

Inbound Tour Operator Rosie Holidays has appointed Adeline Lee Erasito to the newly-created position of Business Development Manager.

Responsible for the growth of sales and the development of new markets for the company, Ms Erasito needs no introduction given her last posting at Tourism Fiji’s head office where she performed a key role as Marketing Services Manager.

Prior to this she was based in Tourism Fiji’s Los Angeles office with specific responsibility for marketing Fiji in USA, Canada and Latin Americas Ms Erasito will report to and work closely with Rosie Holidays General Manager, Eroni Puamau, where she will be dealing with overseas tour wholesalers, Conference & Incentive organisers and tour operators in Australia, New Zealand, North America, UK, Europe and the emerging markets of China, India, the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

For further information,Managing Director, Mr Tony Whitton at tony@rosie.com.fj

TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN LOMAIVITI

The Levuka Tourism Association is reportedly delighted with the news that regular shipping services linking the islands of the Lomaiviti are expected to start following a decision by Goundar Shipping Ltd to position the “MV Lomaiviti Princess” in Levuka.

The introduction of then new service, details of which are expected to be announced shortly, is seen as a catalyst for the further development of tourism opportunities in the region.

Further information will be made available on the Levuka Tourism Association’s website www.levukafiji.com or by e-mailing info@levukafiji.com.

SPA AWARD 1 - BEBE SPA TAKES OUT INTERNATIONAL AWARD FOR SECOND YEAR ON THE TROT

The Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji’s Bebe Spa Sanctuary has been awarded the prestigious Spa Design of the Year Award (Oceania) for the second consecutive year.

The award, presented in recognition of Bebe Spa Sanctuary’s superior design and overall ambience at the annual Pevonia Botanica International Spa Awards held in Sydney last month.

For further information, please visit www.outriggerfiji.com

SPA AWARD 2 NAMALE CHOSEN AS TOP 5

The Namale Fiji Spa and Sanctuary has been chosen as a top-five winner in Spa’s 2011 Silver Sage Readers’ Choice Awards which are based on readers’ picks of top spas around the world.

Located on 10,000 square feet of volcanic pinnacles, the Namale spa comprises a reception area, changing rooms, four treatment rooms, a foot lounge, consultation lounge, manicure and pedicure lounge as well as a hydrotherapy room. Therapists are trained to offer a blend of Eastern, European, Asian and traditional Fijian techniques.



For further information, please contact the Director of Sales & Marketing & Guest Services, Mr Hudson Mitchell at MitchellH@namaleresort.com

TOUR MANAGERS (FIJI) LTD EXTENDS FLEET

Attorney-General and Minister for Tourism recently attended the hand-over of the six brand new 45 seater coaches acquired by Nadi-based Tour Managers at a cost of some FJD2 million.

Purchased from China-based Sino Truck International Company in Jinan, Shangdong, Tour Managers Managing Director, Damend Gounder said the new luxury vehicles would better enable the company to better manage the high volume of visitors currently being handled as well as offering a quality and very modern product to the group conference and incentive market.

Mr Gounder said the new fleet led to an increase in staff with 12 new permanent employees signed on to foresee the fleets operations.

Tour Managers Fiji now has 17 tour vehicles.

For further information, please contact the company at admin@tourmanagers.com.fj

CAPTAIN COOK CRUISES AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS SOLD TO SEALINK

Iconic Sydney-based family owned tourism business Captain Cook Cruises has been sold to Adelaide-based national tourism and transport operator SeaLink Travel Group.

The sale, for an undisclosed sum, includes 15 vessels used to service Captain Cook Cruises’ flagship operations in Sydney Harbour and an accommodated paddle wheeler cruise operation on the River Murray in South Australia.

However the Fijian operations of Captain Cook Cruises has not been included in the transaction and will continue to be managed by company founder, Captain Trevor Haworth and his family.

For further information, please contact the Public Relations and Promotions Manager, Ms Brooke Tolar at pr@captaincook.com.au

NEW SPA AT TOKORIKI ISLAND RESORT

Tokoriki Island resort has announced the opening if its new spa facility.

Designed around an open plan Spa Lounge, the facility features three individual couples spa treatment bures with plantation timber shutters and high pitched traditional Fijian bure ceilings.

Each treatment bure features a freestanding volcanic rock water fall and outdoor shower with views to the lush tropical gardens.

The spa is managed by Senikai Spa.
For further information visit www.tokoriki.com.

SUBLIME WATER SPORTS & TOURS RE-LAUNCHES DAY TOURS & ACTIVITIES FROM UPRISING

Sublime Water Sports & Tours has announced a new menu of water sports and activities operating from Uprising Beach Resort.

These include day cruising to Beqa and Yanuca Islands, either by Jet Ski or cruise boat, daily Jet Ski Island Safaris and day cruises departing every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

For more information, please contact Uprising Beach Resort at enquiries@uprisingbeachresort.com.fj

SUNFLOWER AVIATION LIMITED CHARTERS

In addition to its air transportation services, Sunflower now also provides boat charters from its Denarau Marina hub.

These include a 40 feet catamaran, the ‘Lome IV’ which is fully licensed for up to 15 passengers and a broad range of services in and around the Nadi Bay and Mamanuca Group of Islands including resort transfers, island hopping, game and reef fishing, snorkeling, surfing, sunset trips and overnight excursions

Sunflower boat charters also provide pick up and drop off services and ground transfers to and from hotels in around the Nadi region and can also operate from Wailoaloa Beach and Vuda marina.

For further information, please contact sunflowerfiji@connect.com.fj or visit www.sunflowerfiji.com

SOFITEL’S BRENDAN COFFEY RECOGNISED AS HM MAGAZINE AWARDS ‘CHEF OF THE YEAR’

Executive Chef at the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa, Brendon Coffey has gone one better in 2011 to be awarded ‘Chef of The Year’ at the 2011 HM Magazine Australia Awards for Hotel and Accommodation Excellence.

This was Brendan’s second consecutive nomination for chef of the year following his inaugural nomination at the 2010 event.

The resort’s General Manager Adam Laker was also recognised at this year’s event, winning a highly commended accolade in the Category of Best South Pacific General Manager.

Overall Sofitel Luxury Hotels in the Pacific region received nominations across an impressive 27 categories in 2011, including the coveted ‘Hotel Brand of the Year’, a title they won in 2010 and for which they received a highly commended award for this year.

For further information, please contact the Public Relations & Marketing Coordinator, Ms Moira Lee at h5706-sb11@sofitelfiji.com.fj

TEAMS LINE UP FOR 27TH ANNUAL SIGATOKA BILIBILI EVENT

One of the year’s most anticipated events, the 27th annual Inter-Hotel Sigatoka Bilibili Races will take place on 10 October 2011.

Hosted by the Warwick Fiji Resort & Spa, participating teams include The Pearl South Pacific; Fiji Beach Resort(HILTON); Sofitel Fiji Beach Resort & Spa, Holiday Inn Suva; Warwick Fiji Resort & Spa; The Naviti Beach Resort; Inter Continental Hotel Resort & Spa; Fiji Hideaway Resort; Outrigger On the Lagoon Fiji and Shangri-la’s The Fijian Resort.

The event will kick off with a mini marathon run from Fiji Hideaway to Sigatoka Town at 7.00 am with 11 runners running a two kilometer stretch.

Mr Robert Kennedy, founder and very much part of the annual event, will once again take a major role as part of the 2011 Organising Committee.

For more information, please contact Ms Sereana Sloan email: ssloan@warwickhotels.com.

FIJI NOT BITTER ABOUT 2012 INTERNATIONAL BILLIARDS/SNOOKER CARNIVAL IN 2012

THE Billiards and Snooker Association of Fiji has announced its plans to turn the 2012 Fiji Veterans and Fiji Open Championships into a two weekend carnival in a bid to boost sports tourism.

The BSAF, in conjunction with Fiji Bitter, successfully hosted the Coolman Refrigeration Fiji Golden Oldies in Lautoka and the Fiji Open in Suva last month which saw players from Canada, Australia and New Zealand participate in the two tournaments.

After receiving an overwhelming response, the BSAF has now decided to make the two tournaments an annual event.

BSAF public relations officer Suresh Chauhan said they would target more overseas players next year.

He said next year's event would be known as the ‘Fiji Snooker Fiji Bitter August Carnival’.

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