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Tahiti Among P&O Pacific Dawn's 14 Ports of Call in June
The P&O Pacific Dawn, Australia's first super liner, will call at Papeete, Moorea and Bora Bora during a 28-night, 14 ports of cal cruise that leaves Sydney on June 3. The cruise will head into the tropics with visits to Nouméa, New Caledonia, Tonga's capital of Nuku'alofa, Rarotonga in the Cook Islands before arriving at Raiatea in French Polynesia's Leeward Islands. The 2,050-passenger Pacific Dawn will overnight in Papeete Harbor before continuing on to Moorea and Bora Bora. The ship will cruise past Tonga's Niuafo'Ou and call at Pago Pago in American Samoa, Apia in Samoa, Fiji's ports of Savusavu, Levuka, Suva and Dravuni Island before arriving back in Sydney on July 1. (Source: Tahitipresse 17 March 2008)
Check Your Market Portfolio
The US dollar touched a new 12 year low of 96 yen earlier this week. Meanwhile, in New Zealand debate intensified about the outlook for that economy. south-pacific.travel Chief Executive Tony Everitt said "Tourism businesses should brace for a challenging couple of years ahead in some key markets. Australia continues to be our largest and most robust market. However, competition for the Australian traveller is intensifying so South Pacific tourism destinations and businesses may have to work harder for a slice of the action. Some economists think emerging markets might be less impacted than Europe/America/New Zealand by a global slowdown, if it eventuates. Businesses would do well to establish or increase their position now in emerging markets. Another defence strategy is to beef up in segments that might be less impacted by a slowdown. Baby boomers, for example, are retiring in large numbers and tend to be freehold. They are therefore likely to be less affected by real estate downturns and high interest rates than say the family market. In this respect the Cruise market, where travellers are mostly retirees, is probably a good one to get attached to and develop."
New Board Aims to Improve Tourism Industry
The new Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau (SIVB) board sees the airline industry as a key player in the tourism industry in Solomon Islands. Secretary to the board and general manager SIVB Michael Tokuru made the statement as the board seek to improve the industry. The board held its first meeting on Monday at Honiara Hotel. Mr. Tokuru said like Civil Aviation, the new board wanted to see Munda Airport upgraded into international standard. “If that airport is upgraded tourists arrivals will grow,” he said. At the same time Mr Tokuru said the board wanted to the new Solomon Airline board appointed as soon as possible. Another group which appeared before the board is the National Tourist Association of Solomon Islands. The association briefed the new board about challenges in relation to the development of the tourism industry and how to address them. Mr Tokuru said these presentations have given the board “a clear picture of what needs to be done now and onwards”. He said the board is working according to the government’s new launched policy. Meanwhile the new tourism board members are:
Chairman - Sir Tommy Chan (Honiara Hotel), Vice-chairman - Wilson Maelaua (Destination Solomons), Secretary - Michael Tokuru (Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau), Members: Mockson Aaron (Kuba Resort), Wilson Ne’e (SkyAirWorld), Noel Mamau (Tourism Operator Makira), Paul Fia (Malaita Province Tourism), Catherine Pule (Tourist Operator), Ashley Teika (Solomon Airlines) and Barney Sivoro (Tourism department). (Source: Solomon Star News Online 19 March 2008)
New Date for Heilala Festival in Coronation Year
Tonga’s annual Heilala Festival will be held on a new date this year from July 21-29 to join in with the celebrations of the Coronation of King George Tupou V. The Heilala Festival, previously held leading up to the July 4 birthday of the late King Tupou IV, was held last year on June 30-July 13 to celebrate Crown Prince Tupouto'a Lavaka’s birthday. Semisi Sika, the Festival Director, said that the Executive members of the Tonga Tourist Association wanted to move the festival to the new dates so their programs are held as a lead-up to the coronation celebrations that start on July 30. "We decided to squeeze in the festival celebrations in just one week so that it finishes the day before the coronation celebrations begin and to be enjoyed by the people who are planning to attend the coronation." Semisi said although the program had not been confirmed, but the festival would accommodate the usual events of the Heilala Beauty Pageant, a float parade, a block party in central Nuku’alofa and sports events. (Source: Matangi Tonga Online 13 March 2008)
Botanical Gardens Ready to Bloom Again
The interim Fiji Government is leading a project to beautify and restore Thurston Gardens to its former splendour. Restoring and maintaining the former Botanical Gardens was expected to be completed in three months. Suva Lord Mayor Ratu Peni Volavola said the work would boost the capital's image and profile as a tourist, leisure and fun-loving destination. He said the council was pleased with the initiative. (Source: Fiji Times 16 March 2008). The beautification of the Thurston botanical gardens is expected to be a pleasant addition to attractions for the growing number of cruise ship visitors to Suva.
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Air New Zealand Fare Changes
Group General Manager Short Haul Airlines Bruce Parton says the cost of fares in domestic, Tasman, and Pacific routes will rise by an average of three percent for travel booked from Wednesday, March 26. Mr Parton said that Air New Zealand regretted having to increase fares to at least partially recover some of the fuel increases. It had shielded customers for as long as possible from soaring fuel prices through its fuel hedging programme, he said. Mr Parton said that while the airline remained committed to everyday low fares, it could not rule out further fare increases if fuel costs do not drop. "Our challenge remains to ensure that we continue to drive costs within our control down, and keep prices as low as possible through our innovative initiatives like grabaseat, which offers fares as low as one dollar." (Source: Air New Zealand Media Release 17 March 2008). House of Travel Retail director Brent Thomas said rising fares forced some leisure travellers to cut other spending on holidays and some businesses to rethink over the long term, but he did not expect the announced rises to have any major effects. "I don't see it as having a big impact but for those [travelling] on a marginal basis there may be some impact," he said.
Online Booking Upgrade for Air Pacific
In improving its service for the growing number of global internet users to book their travel arrangements, Fiji's national carrier Air Pacific has enhanced its website with the introduction of online schedules. Air Pacific managing director John Campbell said the carrier had enhanced its website with the introduction of online schedules, an interactive route map and new bookings system. He said visitors to airpacific.com could now view the airline's schedules through the online schedule function. "It's simply entering the origin and destination with the planned date of travel. The choice of flights available for seven days with departure and arrival times and aircraft type is displayed," Mr Campbell said. Mr Campbell said an interactive route map made it easy for visitors to view the entire Air Pacific network including its sister airline Pacific Sun's route. He said the approximate flight and code sharing services were also highlighted. "The enhancements improve service for the growing number of global internet users," he said. Mr. Campbell further adds "It is essential in today's global society that access to Air Pacific services is available anytime 365 days per year and the most convenient and customer- friendly way to do this to deliver a useful, up-to-date and informative website," he said. (Source: Fiji Times 19 March 2008)
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