E-TALANOA APRIL 3RD EDITION

NORTH AMERICAN ARRIVALS SHOW PROMISE
According to a preliminary report from Fiji’s Bureau of Statistics, visitor arrivals from North America showed a lot of promise in January and February 2007. Visitor arrivals from North America and Canada totaled 6,538 for January this year, a 10.8 per cent increase over January 2006’s total of 5,905 or an additional 633 visitors. Likewise in February visitor arrivals totaled 5,829, an increase of 6.2% compared to last February’s total of 5,487. The Bureau’s target for the North American market for 2007 is currently at 75,000.

DAILY SERVICES FROM LAX
Fiji's opportunities in the North American market will be given a great boost as Air New Zealand’s codeshare services with Air Pacific commences from LAX this month. The Air New Zealand and Air Pacific new codeshare services means that consumers now have the opportunity to fly direct to Fiji on any given day of the week. Regional Director Ili Matatolu, in acknowledging Air New Zealand’s commitment to Fiji, said, “the daily flights would certainly boost Fiji’s marketing efforts as Air New Zealand’s services would mean daily access and North American consumers will find it more convenient to get direct services to Fiji”. Roger Poulton, Air New Zealand Vice President The Americas added “Air New Zealand has a long history of flying North Americans to Fiji and we are proud to work alongside our Pacific partners to ensure experiencing this relaxing, beautiful place just gets easier. By working together we can all achieve our vision of the South Pacific being a priority vacation destination for North Americans”. More information can be obtained from Air New Zealand’s website at: www.airnewzealand.com

FIJI ME WEST COAST ROADSHOW FOR JULY
The Fiji Islands Visitors Bureau North Americas has announced that it will undertake a major roadshow visiting select west coast cities in July in place of the remaining Bula Seminars that were scheduled for 2007. The change is designed to assist Fiji achieve its targeted visitor numbers from North America and deliver what Regional Director Ili Matatolu calls “ more cost efficiencies for all our partners involved”. Travel partners are expected to visit ten cities in the major western states of California, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, Utah and Washington. More details can be obtained from Regional Marketing Officer Mrs. Adeline Lee-Erasito on email: alee@bulafiji-americas.com

FIJI ME CAMPAIGN CONTINUES ON CABLE TV
The Bureau’s current “Fiji Me” campaign, airing on selected cable television networks with major wholesaler partner Jetabout Island Vacations, national airline partner Air Pacific Limited and major Fiji partners continues into its fourth week. The television campaign taglines “A week in Fiji from $1299” and also features other equally exciting value-deals on the website: www.jetaboutfijime.com The campaign will continue until May 20th, 2007. The Bureau’s Regional Director Ili Matatolu is confident that the campaign “will not only increase the visibility of Fiji to a highly targeted audience but the great deals provided by the industry will assist in more Fiji holiday bookings in 2007”. The Bureau is currently targeting 75,000 North Americans to visit Fiji in calendar year 2007. More information on the FijiMe packages on: www.jetaboutfijime.com

BULA SEMINARS WELL RECEIVED
Last month’s Bula Seminars in California were well received by travel agents who turned out in positive numbers to attend the evening presentations. Featuring local music personality Jale Mareau and his trio of serenaders, the information-packed seminars covered Santa Cruz, San Francisco, San Rafael, Walnut Creek, Sacramento, Santa Monica and Costa Mesa. More than 500 travel agents took part in the seminars, which represents an increase of 4 per cent compared to last year’s seminars. According to travel agent Debra Reasonable of Tropic Travels “I found the evening very informative with new things to learn about Fiji and the Fijian dances and music created a unique point of difference about Fiji’s warmth and service”. The Bureau is grateful to all its industry partners who supported the program.

GET YOUR FREE COPY OF FIJI ME DVD's
Increase your product knowledge of Fiji and sales to Fiji with a copy of the brand new “Fiji Me” DVD! The 17- minute DVD is a great selling tool for Fiji holiday packages and details the diversity of Fiji’s unique holiday experiences. Please email our office on: info@bulafiji-americas.com with your request.

FIJI ISLANDS VISITORS BUREAU NORTH AMERICA PARTNERS WITH CARADONNA AND SPORT DIVER MAGAZINE
The Bureau’s North American market has commenced a partnership with Caradonna Dive Adventures and Sport Diver Magazine as part of its efforts to capture a bigger slice of the “dedicated divers” market. This year’s partnership includes both “Fiji Me” print and online advertising. Fiji is known worldwide as “the soft coral capital of the world”. Air-inclusive dive packages starting at $1,500 per person available. Information on packages www.caradonna.com or sales@caradonna.com

BRIDAL GUIDE COMBINES ROMANCE WITH ADVENTURE
New York-based BRIDAL GUIDE MAGAZINE'S Travel Editor Jennifer Dennis recently penned a four-page article (206,200 + circulation) regarding Fiji entitled, entitled "Frills and Chills In Fiji" in the national magazine's March/April, 2007 issue. The article spotlighted the Westin Denarau Island Resort & Spa's new spa, sleek chic guestrooms at Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa, the hip suites at The Pearl South Pacific, lush landscaping surrounding the Outrigger on The Lagoon's swimming pool, jet-boating on the Sigatoka River as part of Sigatoka River Safari, the Adventures in Paradise's "Waterfall Tour," and Rivers Fiji's white-water rafting. In the same issue "Eco Resorts Shades of Green," writer Lisa Selin Davis provides her thoughts why Turtle Island Resort is both "honeymoon worthy and "eco-friendly" Information: Susan Bejeckian, sbpr@compuserve.com.

PACIFIC RIM WEDDINGS MAGAZINE SETS ITS SIGHTS ON THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WEDDING SITES IN THE PACIFIC ISLANDS
Some of Fiji's top resorts to tie the knot were highlighted in the Spring, 2007 issue of PACIFIC RIM WEDDINGS MAGAZINE (32,000), based in Honolulu, Hawaii. Leading the pack of romantic locations to say "I Do" included Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort, Namale The Fiji Islands Resort & Spa, Matangi Private Island Resort Fiji, The Pearl South Pacific, Qamea Resort & Spa Fiji, Royal Davui Island Beqa Lagoon Fiji, Turtle Island Resort, Vomo Island Resort, The Warwick Fiji and Yasawa Island Resort. Information: Susan Bejeckian, sbpr@compuserve.com

INDUSTRY STORIES

RADISSON RESORT FIJI DENARAU ISLAND RESORT – ON TRACK TO OPEN MID 2007
Fiji’s newest resort, the 270-room, $95 million project on Denarau Island is “on track” and projected to open its doors mid-2007. In a recent press statement General Manager, Phillip Couvaras, said that the resort is powering ahead and close to completion. Located just 20 minutes from Nadi Airport, it offers 270 individual guest rooms and suites (combining contemporary style with a unique blend of distinctive Fijian culture) as well as the most spectacular pool area in the South Pacific. With a tropical beachfront location on 3.5 hectares of landscaped tropical gardens, the resort includes a series of free standing pools, including a children’s pool and dedicated adults only pool; a stand alone island day spa; ballroom and conference facilities and a magnificent beachfront restaurant. For opening specials or any reservations for travel after August 1, 2007, please free call 1-888-201-1718 or email reservations.fiji@radisson.com



For any further information, please contact the Fiji Islands Visitors Bureau: Ms. Adeline Lee Erasito, Regional Marketing. Telephone: 1 310 568 1616 Facsimile: 1 310 670 2318 Email: alee@bulafiji-americas.com Website: www.fijime.com