Tuesday, July 1st, 2008

Bula! (Greetings) and welcome to the Fiji me MICE electronic newsletter. Produced and distributed by the Fiji Islands Visitors Bureau. The newsletter provides an up- to- date summary of the latest developments in Fiji’s conference and incentive market on a bi-monthly basis.

The Westin Denarau Island Resort & Spa honoured withtwo awards

The Westin Denarau Island Resort & Spa was honoured withtwo awards at the 15th Annual World Travel Awards forAustralasia held in Sydney, Australia on 10th June 2008.Awarded “Fiji’s leading golf resort” and “Fiji’s leading sparesort”, the resort took honours among a list of impressivecompetitors for the 2008 awards, which were voted on by167,000 travel professionals worldwide, including more than110,000 travel agents. Hailed by the Wall Street Journal as the“Oscars of the travel industry”, the World Travel Awards are themost comprehensive and prestigious in the global travelindustry. On the announcements of the awards, Mr ShaneCunning, Managing Director for the Westin and SheratonResorts Fiji said that “It is an honour for the Westin DenarauIsland Resort & Spa to be named “Fiji’s leading golf resort” and“Fiji’s leading resort”, at these top industry awards”. He added“These two prestigious accolades are a testament to thecommitment and dedication of the resort team in positioningthe Westin as the leading leisure resort in Fiji”.
For more information, please contact the Westin DenarauIsland Resort & Spa Director of Sales, Ms Regina Wilson on Regina.Wilston@sheraton.com

South Sea Island and Rosie Holidays host U.S university students

On Saturday, 17th May, 40 U.S. Law/Culture University students visited the beautiful South Sea Island. The event was organized by Rosie DMC and the group enjoyed a wonderful and memorable experience on the island. Lydia from Rosie DMC mentioned that it was the staff at South Sea Island who helped to make everyone’s day. South Sea Island is the ideal destination for any group. Fringed by a stunning coral reef, this small island only 25 minutes away from Denarau is packed with options. For more information, please contact South Sea Cruises Sales Manager, Mr Ross Gallagher on ross@ssc.com.fj

Air Pacific corporate client conference and incentive showcase

Air Pacific, in conjunction with Rosie DMC recently hosted 9 New Zealandcorporate clients and their partners to a 3-day showcase of DestinationDenarau. The objective was to experience what’s “new” and “hot” in Fiji,enabling clients to seriously consider Fiji for the next conference or incentive.Their words tell the story:
“My husband and I were invited to Fiji in April 2008 by Air Pacific and RosieDMC for a 2-night familiarisation tour. Having never been to Fiji, we didn’tknow what to expect, but that didn’t matter, because what was presented tous would have outweighed any expectations we may have had. Everythingwas just first class”. Raelene Cannan, Colliers International. For moreinformation, please contact Air Pacific Conference & Incentives/GroupsManager Jennie Burt on jennieb@worldaviation.co.nz

SUBARU group travels with Air Pacific

In May 2008, the Subaru Group traveled with Air Pacific and the feedback was as follows:
“In a nutshell, it has been a great success! Whilst the weather didn’t play along, the group had the time of their lives and returned with very happy memories. What made the trip so special were the Fijian people we had the privilege to meet. We had the most wonderful start at Sydney airport with Air Pacific Sydney Airport Manager Glenn Carter looking after us. It was the best and smoothest check in Subaru had ever experience on any of their incentives. Air Pacific had arranged for a dedicated area so that we could meet all delegates, not only that the most wonderful surprise to the group was that they were seated together together upstairs in section F “Upper Deck”. As you know, first impressions count and this was just a perfect start. I can’t thank Air Pacific enough for the wonderful assistance with this group and for accommodating all our requests. The check in worked better than anything I could have imagined”. Christine Silink, Marketing Manager, Mary Rossi Travel
For more information, please contact Air Pacific Business Development Manager – MICE, Catherine De Giorgio on CatherineD@worldaviation.com.au

BLC launches online incentive-based Accreditation Programme

In May 2008, Blue Lagoon Cruises re-launched a highly motivational, performance-based online agents accreditation scheme, offering consultants the opportunity to ‘earn’ their way to a wide range of the company’s products while at the same time increasing specialised cruise consultant numbers. Registering and participating in the scheme is extremely easy, agents simply need to log onto www.bluelagooncruises.com/AgentsArea and register their name and agency details. For more information, please contact Blue Lagoon Cruises Sales Manager Courtney Sinclair on Courtney@bluelagooncruises.com

Keeping up to date

The ATS Pacific team are always trying to keep up to date with new product and opportunities for their clients. So heading out on the very new Sun Xpress, the fastest ride in town, with four 350 horse power engines and a capacity for forty people, the team from ATS Pacific hit the islands recently for an update. The team took in the new pool at South Sea Island Resort, the facilities at Mala Mala which are available for exclusive day use and danced to the new brand at Beachcomber before cooling off in the waters at Tivua. All these islands make great escapes for your very own island for the day. For more information, please contact ATS Pacific C & I Groups Manager, Sally Cooper on sallyc@atspacific.com.fj

Heart of the country

ING New Zealand visited Fiji in June and stayed at the Coral Coast.Many of the clients had been to Fiji before and so ATS Pacific wantedto take them away from the well trodden tourist spots. With JayWhyte from Sigatoka Rivers Safari and Michael Crocker from Viti EcoTours, ATS Pacific took more than 300 guests in small groups into theheart of the high country to remote untouched villages where theFijian culture is alive. The areas are only able to be accessed by 4WDand safari jet boats. Guests’ comments were that it was the mostauthentic Fijian experience they have ever experienced. For moreinformation, please contact ATS Pacific C & I Groups Manager, SallyCooper on sallyc@atspacific.com.fj

Hard Rock café new addition to Pacific Destinationz’ offsite dining

On the 21st of May, a group of the top sales achievers from Subaru Australia were treated to a rocking good night at the Hard Rok café at Port Denarau where Pacific Destinationz took out the whole of the Hard Rock Café exclusively for the 53 Subaru delegates. This was Hard Rock Café’s first restaurant buyout. The popular band ‘divine’ was on stage pumping out rock and roll hits that could have made the King himself ‘twist’ in his grave. Four members of Subaru also took their turn on the microphone, sharing their own renditions of various rock and roll numbers with Divine backing them up. Pacific Destinationz is a leading Fiji DMC with a range of offsite dinner options on offer, including the latest Hard Rock Café addition. For further information, please contact tours@pdfj.com.fj

EF tour hits South Sea Island

EF educational tours allow educators to enrich theirclassroom teaching through international travel. Studentgroups ‘learn it by living it’ when they experience first handthe very best historic, cultural and natural sights in the world.

Throughout June, seven groups of US students travellingthrough EF tours, under the watchful eye of the team at RosieHolidays, have headed out to South Sea Island as part of theirFiji itineraries. Many have opted to take advantage of theexceptional diving that the island offers, to explore thestunning coral gardens and fish life that surround the island.Most however were happy to just sit back and relax by thebeach for the day.

These educational trips are designed to break down barriers of language, culture and geography. What better education can you get than travelling? For further information, please visit www.ssc.com.fj

Warwick hosts BFTE 2008

After three years, the Warwick Fiji Resort & Spa hadthe pleasure of hosting the 2008 Bula Fiji TourismExchange (BFTE) again. A total of 600 delegates, madeup of wholesalers and resort/airline/tour operatorsfrom all over the Pacific were represented at theExchange.

While most of their day was spent negotiatingcontracts/plans for the 2009 business season, theWarwick Fiji Resort & Spa did not fall short in ensuringthat its visitors were well awarded through the variouscocktails and themed dinner functions.

As a special welcome, the resort, in partnership with Air Pacific transformed the Talanoa room into an Air Pacific in-flight experience. The room was themed to reflect the airline’s vibrant colours with staff dressed in in-flight uniforms, including management elegantly dressed in pilot uniforms. The evening included a sumptuous 3-course dinner complemented by a selection of beers and wines and the sweet melodies of local vocalists, Ofa Ali and Bill Beddoes.

In a special send off, all 600 delegates were again treated to an evening of fiesta and merry making on the last night of BFTE 2008. Hosted by the resort, the event was held outdoors with delegates enjoying an international themed buffet that included Japanese, Chinese and Indian, Mediterranean, Mexican and Fijian cuisine, with an array of mouth watering desserts. Visitors were kept on their feet most of the night enjoying the entertainment from dancers and music from the Warwick’s own Jes4P’s live band.
Hosting the 2008 Bula Fiji Tourism Exchange yet again re-affirms the Warwick’s commitment and ability to host large conventions/conferences and events and the excellent feedback from delegates is indeed a testament of the Warwick’s promise of a unique and unforgettable meeting/events experience. For more information, please contact Warwick Fiji Resort & Spa Sales and Marketing Manager, Petero Manufolau on pmanufolau@warwickfiji.com.fj

The Pacific Dawn receives Port Denarau welcome

Thursday, 26th June saw the arrival of the first of many cruiseships into Port Denarau. P & O’s Pacific Dawn anchored justoutside the port and used Awesome Adventures ‘Yasawa FlyerII” to tender passengers into port, bringing close to 3000visitors ashore.

Port Denarau came alive to provide a warm Fijian welcome toall passengers before they departed on their various day tripactivities or stayed to enjoy the festivities throughout the day atthe Marina. Among the options available to P & O passengerswas an exclusive day cruise to one of Fiji’s leading day cruisedestinations – South Sea Island.

After snorkelling the crystal clear waters, taking a ride in the semi-submersible and being entertained with a traditional Fijian meke during lunch, all passengers left the island with a smile as they headed back to the ship. This small sand island, packed with options to keep visitors busy and only 25 minutes from Denarau is the perfect place to enjoy island life for a day. For further information, please visit www.ssc.com.fj

Theme team

The theme team at ATS Pacific was kept busy with a conference for a pharmaceutical group requiring all eight conference rooms to be themed up in a different style. There was a survivor island, ancient Olympic with pillars and urns as well as the glitzy jazz club, a disco dazzle complete with live performances from local disco dances and a disco move lesson. There was even a couple of living statues. The ATS Pacific store room has grown again with even more props available for exhibition booths, conference rooms and events. For more information, please contact ATS Pacific C & I Groups Manager, Sally Cooper on sallyc@atspacific.com.fj

Right royal treatment for Sofitel’s corporate rock stars in Fiji

Bula, bonjour and more were in store for nine luckycorporate representatives from Melbourne, Sydney andBrisbane who had the chance to visit the Sofitel FijiResort & Spa in May as part of a joint familiarisation triphosted by Sofitel, Air Pacific and the Fiji Visitors Bureau.Natalie Brumniach, Director of Conference andIncentives for the Sofitel Fiji, Catherine De Giorgio of AirPacific and Louisa Finiasi of the FVB coordinated the visitwhich offered a succession of luxury indulgences basedaround the resort’s distinctly French spirit andattractions available around the Fiji Islands andspecifically on ‘destination Denarau’ island. The group,which included representatives from the Corporate TravelManagement Group, Dunlop, and Insignia/Vodafone,were treated to excursions and day trips courtesy of RosieHolidays and ATS Pacific.