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TOTAL VISITORS ARRIVALS FROM NORTH AMERICA INCREASE BY 4.8 PERCENT
Latest visitor arrivals statistics from Fiji Islands Bureau of Statistics indicate a 4.8% increase in the North American market. Fiji hosted 30, 213 visitors from North America in the period from January to May 2007, an increase of 1,400 visitors or 4.8% compared to 2006’s 28,813 visitors. It represents a 1.1% increase over the Bureau’s initial target of 29,877 for this period. The Bureau’s initial target for the North American market for 2007 is 82,612.
Information: Regional Director The Americas Ili Matatolu ili@bulafiji-americas.com.
FIJI ISLANDS VISITORS BUREAU LOOKS TOWARD THE FUTURE
Despite the recent resignation of Fiji Islands Visitors Bureau’s Chief Executive Vilame Gavoka, the Bureau’s Chairman of the Board Patrick Wong says that the move will not affect the recovery program now in place to increase visitor arrivals from North America to Fiji. The Bureau is working closely with the Tourism Action Group and other tourism industry stakeholders in order to continue to introduce marketing initiatives that have maintained visitor arrivals. “We are fortunate to have Cherrill Waston, Fiji Islands Visitors Bureau Director of Marketing, who has demonstrated strong leadership in directing our marketing program that has been instrumental in moving our country towards recovery,” Wong said. The board, responsible for providing an overall direction for Fiji Islands Visitors Bureau, is researching the development of a private sector “think tank” that would meet regularly to provide input on immediate issues affecting the tourism industry.
Information: patrickwong@connect.com.fj.
FIJI TEAMS UP WITH AIR NEW ZEALAND TO HOST EDUCATIONAL IN AUGUST
Fiji Islands Visitors Bureau will team up with Air New Zealand and the Fiji tourism industry to showcase Fiji as an exciting holiday destination to its top agents in August 2007. The Bureau’s Director Ili Matatolu said “Fiji is grateful to Air New Zealand for its support for the educational planned for August 19th to 27th. The week-long program, which will also include a trade day component, will cover Fiji’s key tourism regions of Nadi, Denarau Island, Mamanucas, Suva, Pacific Harbour, Savusavu and Taveuni.
Information: Regional Marketing Officer Adeline Lee Erasito: alee@bulafiji-americas.com.
FIJI TOURISM INDUSTRY WOWS MEETING PLANNERS WITH 10-DAY TRIP TO FIJI
The “wow” factor was a key component of the “Fiji Me” travel itinerary experienced by five of the United State’s top incentive companies when they were recently hosted by Fiji’s tourism industry earlier this month. The five U.S.-based travel companies, specializing in incentive travel, included Carlisle Travel of Los Angeles, Enterprise Event of San Francisco, Progressive Incentives of Newport Beach, Travel Dynamics Group of La Jolla, all based in California, and GK Incentives of Columbus, Ohio. “The purpose of the “Fiji Me” incentive trip was to increase Fiji’s share of the lucrative $4 billion U.S. conference and incentive market and educate buyers that Fiji, with its world-class facilities and services, is the best destination for any incentive program,” said Regional Director, Fiji Islands Visitors Bureau Ili Matatolu. The group visited the Pacific Island nation’s leading tourist regions, including Nadi, the coral coast, Pacific Harbor, Mamanuca Islands and Denarau Island.
Information: Regional Marketing Officer Adeline Lee Erasito: alee@bulafiji-americas.com.
FIJI ISLAND VISITOR’S BUREAU AND TOURISM INDUSTRY PARTNERS WITH BLOOMINGDALE'S FOR 2007 SHOPPING BENEFIT
Fiji Islands Visitor’s Bureau, Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort and Air Pacific are proud to announce a partnership with Bloomingdale’s for the department store’s semi-annual Shopping Benefit. The Benefit will take place October 25, 2007 at seven different Bloomingdale’s locations in California, including Stanford, San Francisco, the Beverly Center, Century City, Newport Beach, Sherman Oaks, and San Diego. Traditionally, the Shopping Benefit raises in excess of $50,000 per community to be distributed among each of the area’s finest charities. In addition to discounted prices enjoyed throughout the store, October Bloomingdale’s shoppers will have the chance to enter to win a roundtrip ticket to Fiji, courtesy of Air Pacific, along with a six-night stay at the Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort.
Information: 626/570-1051, sbpr@compuserve.com.
PODCAST BULA NOW ON ITUNES
Explorerpod.com is now available on iTunes! This means that Podcast Bula is now available to 85% of the podcast market. The podcast also continues to gain momentum in downloads and is shaping up to be an important communications tool for Fiji Visitors Bureau, Americas.
Information: www.Explorerpod.com.
FIJI ISLANDS VISITORS BUREAU GEARS UP FOR SPF40
With the 3rd Annual South Pacificfest taking place at the Westin in Long Beach on September 20-22, 2007, Fiji Islands Visitors Bureau is looking forward to joining forces with other South Pacific destinations to educate 175 tour operator staff, 50 suppliers, and 200 travel agents about the unique aspects of Fiji. Says Regional Marketing Officer Adeline Lee Erasito, “The event will heighten awareness on the wide range of tourism products, attractions and cultural diversity of each destination.”
Information: Marianne Y. Masuda 310/937-2300 and www.spf40.com.
TWO-TIME U.S. GOLD MEDALIST NATALIE COUGHLIN TO ATTEND AUGUST, 2007 "FIJI SWIM" EVENT
The Second Annual 18 km “Fiji Swim” – Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa to Beachcomber Island Relay – will take place on Thursday, August 2, 2007. On hand to represent the U.S. in the upcoming swim is two-time gold medalist Natalie Coughlin.
Other swims – the 4th Annual 2.6 km Fiji Swim Beachcomber Island – and the 1km Fiji Swim – Treasure Island to Beachcomber Island – will be held on Saturday August 4, 2007. The “Fiji Swim” is proud to raise funds for the work of the Shane Gould Swimming Foundation and the Amateur Swimming Association in Fiji. Information: www.fijiswim.com
NEW SIGATOKA RIVER SAFARI PROVIDES LOCALS AND VISITORS WITH MEMORABLE TOURS ON SIGATOKA RIVER
Sigatoka River Safari is the country’s newest tourist attraction, providing ½ day innovative, quiet and comfortable safari jet boat safari tours that venture into Fiji’s interior along the Sigatoka River aboard a custom built safari jet boat. Visitors experience authentic Fijian villages and discover the heart of “real Fiji.” The tour is brought to life by knowledgeable tour guides who share with travelers the history of the area, Fijian customs and local legends.
Information: www.sigatokariver.com
BLUE LAGOON CRUISES DEBUTS MATES RATES SPECIAL FOR NORTH AMERICA
Blue Lagoon Cruises has recently announced their new promotion, “Take a Mate For Free,” where one person pays the single rate on any of the cruise line’s Gold Club Cruises. The offer is subject to availability for sale through September 30, 2007 for travel from September 10-December 17, 2007 and for January 8 through March 31, 2008. Booking Code: NAMATE/0607.
Information: www.bluelagooncruises.com.
THE WAKAYA CLUB NAMED TO FORBESTRAVELER.COM
VACATIONS DESTINATION OF FORBES CELEBRITY 100
The pristine Wakaya Club in Fiji, one of the country’s top one-island resorts, was named to www.forbestraveler.com’s ideal vacation destination for the rich and famous. The resort welcomes 11 couples to its 2,200 acres, along with dozens of cozy inlets and beaches.
Information: www.forbestraveler.com.
THE FIJI ORCHID ON TARGET TO OPEN IN NOVEMBER 2007
One of Fiji’s newest resorts, The eight-villa Fiji Orchid, will open in November, 2007. Travelers to Fiji have long wished for a sanctuary near Nadi where they can relax and refresh before or after a trip to their remote Fijian island paradise. Located only 15 minutes drive north of Nadi International Airport and ten minutes south of Lautoka, the setting of the resort is nestled within the stunning foothills of the volcanic Nausori Highlands near Saweni Beach. The resort boasts five acres of tropical gardens, its own restaurant, bar and lounge, a boutique and swimming pool.
Information: info@fijiorchid.com.
TURTLE ISLAND OFFERS TRULY ALL-INCLUSIVE LAND PACKAGE
The 500-acre Turtle Island has recently announced an all-inclusive land package through March 31, 2008. Per Night Costs: Deluxe Bure $1,632, Grand Tu Ga Bure $1,975 and Vonu Point $2,390. As part of the package, guests enjoy:
- Private two-room beachfront bure (Fijian cottage) located on the shores of the famous Blue Lagoon.
- All meals, including a la carte breakfasts, sumptuous buffet lunches or private champagne and lobster picnics on a private beach, afternoon snacks, pre-dinner savouries and gourmet dinners
- All activities, including deep sea fishing, scuba diving, horseback riding on the beach, mountain biking, sunset cruise, sailing, kayaking, snorkeling, windsurfing and the use of all sporting equipment.
- Fully dedicated Bure Mama that solely looks after each guest
- Complimentary ½ Hour Lomi Lomi Massage
- Complimentary Laundry Service
Information: www.turtlefiji.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 |
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