south-pacific.travel Office Revamp
south-pacific.travel celebrated their new look Suva office with stakeholders last night. About 50 guests from development partners, media, members, and other key contacts wet-the-head of the open plan office arrangement. Greater space efficiency from the open plan approach has allowed a 20% reduction in the total floor area and associated rent-saving. (Photo from left, Guests US Ambassador to Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu, HE  Larry Dinger and Fiji Hotel & Tourism Association Chair Dixon Seeto)

2nd Annual Jaki ed (Marshallese Mats) Exhibit and Auction
Marshallese women are considered the finest and most productive weavers in Micronesia. Since World War II there has been a gradual loss of knowledge of the traditional form of fine weaving and the beautiful symmetrical designs that characterized Marshallese clothing mat-making artistry. Traditional leader and activist Maria Kabua Fowler and Dr. Irene Taafaki, University of the South Pacific felt it critical to revive and share traditional mat designs. They shared photographs from the Bishop Museum collection with local weavers and held an exhibit/auction of 19 mats in April 2007. Based on the overwhelming success of the 2007 event, a 2nd exhibition and auction of mats will be held on March 14, 2008 at the Marshall Islands Resort in Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands. More than 20 mats from Namdrik, Arno, Ailinglaplap, Ujae, Mejit, Kwajalein and Majuro atolls will be on exhibit and available at the auction. Iroij (high Chief) Michael Kabua will exhibit family heirloom mats and the Bishop Museum photos will be on display.  Honolulu based collector/dealer Caroline Yacoe will assist with the exhibit and facilitate sales of the mats to private collectors and museums. This is the third in a series of collaborations between Maria Kabua Fowler and Dr. Irene Taafaki. The first collaboration began in 2001 with a Marshallese Herbal Plant Workshop and culminated in their recent book Traditional Medicine of the Marshall Islands- the Women, the Plants, the Treatments (University of the South Pacific Press and available at Na Mea Hawaii in Honolulu, Hawaii). For further information about the Project, Exhibit and Auction, contact: Dr. Irene Taafaki: Taafaki_i@usp.ac.fj and for travel information, visit the Marshall Islands Visitors Authority website: www.visitmarshallislands.com (Source: Marshall Islands Visitors Authority Press Release 21 January 2008)

New Tourism Board Members Appointed
Three new Cook Islands Tourism board members are being appointed by Minister Wilkie Rasmussen. The new members endorsed by cabinet are Kura Malcom, Robert Skews and Kevin Iro. In July last year chamber of commerce nominee Mark Brown was appointed to the board along with JP John Kenning. The minister's cabinet paper said it was thought that Iro could be used as an ambassador overseas. Brown's appointment was described as a gesture of goodwill to the chamber. The new board is now McFadzien, Kenning, Brown, Malcom, Skews, Iro and the tourism chief executive (currently acting Glenda Tuaine) (Source: Cook Islands News Online 25 January 2008)

Cruising from Japan
The passengers of Japanese cruise liner Pacific Venus got a taste of the faaSamoa on Monday evening. Satomi Shintani of the Pacific Venus Planning Department said the passengers were very moved particularly by the fire knife dance performance that was held especially in their honour. She said a fiafia was set up and performed by 10 people from the National University of Samoa. And despite the rain, passengers left the warmth and dryness of their cabins and the ship to get a real taste of Samoa. Passengers were seen walking around with umbrellas and rain coats; others were seen riding in the traditional Samoan wooden buses with smiles on their faces. Ms Shintani said this is the season for travelling since “It is winter in Japan, we avoid the cold.” “The passengers are made up of retired Japanese people who are on the cruise to avoid the cold winter. This is the first time that Pacific Venus has berthed in Samoa. Their stop before heading here was Lautoka, Fiji, having visited other destinations which included Palau and Australia. The Pacific Venus is expected to sail on to Tahiti and her islands and to Christmas Island. Pacific Venus has a capacity of 600 passengers and a crew intake of 220. The current cruise only includes 200 crew members from eight different countries around the world. (Source: Samoa Observer Online 30 January 2008)

Looking Forward 2008
The industry will only be ‘moderately impacted’ by repercussions from the ongoing global credit crunch, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council. The WTTC signalled continued growth rates for the sector in 2008 but at a reduced pace. Data from the organisation shows that international tourism arrivals increased last year by nearly six percent over 2006 to nearly 900 million tourists. It was the fourth successive year that arrivals growth has exceeded a long-standing trend of four percent. The research also indicates that tourism spending per capita more than matched these increases. International air passenger traffic also rose at a record 9.3 per cent from year to year in November. WTTC admits industry faces ‘challenges’ in the year ahead. “The deteriorating economic conditions, particularly in the housing and credit markets across the globe are increasing concerns for the industry. “However, the slowdown is likely to have a limited impact, due to the growth of emerging markets and the easing in monetary policy by central banks,” according to the organisation. Higher energy prices are a two-pronged challenge as they squeeze household budgets globally and raise the cost of a key input for the industry. WTTC President Jean-Claude Baumgarten claims that even this challenge has had a positive angle, explaining how “higher revenues are boosting oil producer” incomes and raising available funds for investment in diversification projects often focusing on tourism’s undoubted potential. (Source: Inside Tourism)

Coffee Making Training Package Now in Port Villa
Following the success of the country’s first ever international Barista (coffee making) competition, a special set of training CD’s has been created and donated to the Vanuatu Hospitality Tourism & Leisure Training Centre. Training Centre Manager of Vanuatu’s Hospitality training college, Richard Ierongen and Chairman of the Vanuatu Hotels and Resorts Association, Mr Tony Burns celebrated the donation of the CD set at the national institute.  The CD collection shows how to prepare for one of the many international competitions held around the world and also how to bring out the competitors creative side in “Latte Art”. “We are really happy with this gift, our thanks go to the VHRA and the sponsors of the Vanuatu Barista competition, Mr Rob Forsyth and his family in Australia and the AustralAsian Specialty Coffee Association for their support” said Vanuatu training centre Manager, Mr Richard Ierongen. Tony Burns of the VHRA agreed and offered continued support on behalf of the hotels and resorts association: “We now have the best cafes in the South Pacific.. a big claim but justified!  Vanuatu was the first country to hold an international Barista competition in the south pacific and we have continued to support the interest in perfect coffee making with our national training institute and these training CD’s.” The VHRA has already formed a sub committee of active members to facilitate the next Barista competition to be held in October later this year. The AustralAsian Specialty Coffee Association has already pledged support to the annual event and the ANZ bank of Port Vila has agreed to provide ongoing web site support www.baristavanuatu.com to ensure the competition gathers world interest and international competitors. (Source: Poppys on the Lagoon 30 January 2008)

Cyclone Gene
Cyclone Gene caused some localized flooding on Fiji’s main island of Viti Levu this week. The cyclone has passed and visitor services are now operating normally.

Web Stats for south-pacific.travel
www.south-pacific.travel received 75,475 visitors in January 2008.

south-pacific.travel membership update
south-pacific.travel welcomes two new private sector members.
1.  Muri Beachcomber, Rarotonga - Located on the beachside of beautiful Muri Lagoon, offers affordable comfort in a great location with 22 fully self-contained units and separate air-conditioned bedroom, living/dining area, well equipped kitchen and bathroom with shower catering to all guests' needs. For more information, visit their website: www.beachcomber.co.ck  
2.  Orion Expedition Cruises - Australian owned and operated, Orion Expedition Cruises was founded in early 2004 and has developed voyages to encourage guests to become a part of the region they are discovering. Orion is a purpose built vessel designed to access the inaccessible, all in 5-star luxury. The ship combines the best and the latest in design with maritime and environmental technology, comfort and casual elegance. Visit their website: www.orioncruises.com.au for more information.
Contact our Private Sector Membership Manager on e-mail rdrekeni@south-pacific.travel for more information on south-pacific.travel’s private sector membership programme and its associated benefits.

Maravu Plantation Beach Resort and Spa (Fiji) Voted Top Luxury Hotel in the South Pacific
Maravu Plantation Beach Resort & Spa does it again! For the second year in a row, Maravu was chosen as the No. 1Best Luxury Hotel in the South Pacific, and also ranked 19th of the Top 100 Best Luxury Hotels of the World by TripAdvisor in its 2008 Travelers' Choice Awards. Maravu, located on Fiji’s Garden Island of Taveuni, is the only South Pacific Resort listed in the Top 100 Best Luxury Hotels of the World. “We are extremely proud to receive this award”, states Jochen Kiess, owner of Maravu Plantation Beach Resort & Spa. “It is an honor to be recognized with such an award, as voted by the people who are the most important to us – our guests. This award is a testament to the hard work of our wonderful staff, who make Maravu such a special place.“ Now in its sixth year, the TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards honor the world's best hotels, earning their distinction from those who know them best - real travelers. TripAdvisor users have exclusive access to the best luxury hotels, hidden gems and more, chosen by the world’s largest travel community. Only TripAdvisor’s hotel awards represent the unbiased opinions of millions of real travelers. The winners were determined by a combination of the highest traveler ratings and the TripAdvisor Popularity Index, a measurement of overall traveler satisfaction. Unlike any other hotel awards programs that survey perhaps thousands of people, the TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice winners are uniquely "selected" by millions of travelers from around the world who provide their real and unbiased reviews or opinions about hotels on tripadvisor.com and across the Web. "The 2008 Travelers' Choice winners are once again singled out for their spectacular service and extraordinary value," said Michele Perry, director of communications for TripAdvisor. "Most hotel awards programs honor the most luxurious and opulent hotels, but because Travelers' Choice awards are determined by millions of real travelers from around the world, the winners tend to be outstanding properties that are within reach for the average traveler." Maravu Plantation Beach Resort & Spa, a small, intimate resort located on Fiji’s lush and tropical island of Taveuni, features 21 Fijian-inspired Bures. With many exciting and complimentary activities, a long list of optional excursions, some of Fiji’s finest dining, an extensive wine list, and access to world-class scuba diving and rainforest discovery, Maravu embodies all that is wonderful about tropical Fiji. For Reviews about Maravu Plantation Beach Resort & Spa visit www.tripadvisor.com (Source: Maravu Plantation Beach Resort & Spa Press Release 31 January 2008)

PADI President and Chief Operating Officer Inducted into 2008 International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame
Dr. Drew Richardson, PADI President and Chief Operating Officer, was inducted into the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame on 17 January 2008.  Richardson was honored for his contributions to dive safety and education as well as efforts in aquatic realm preservation. Richardson devoted himself to dive safety and education at an early age. Among accomplishments too numerous to list exhaustively, he established and ran the successful diving technology program at the Florida Institute of Technology. Joining the PADI staff in 1985, Richardson was instrumental in PADI’s growth into the world’s largest recreational dive training organization. Going beyond the health and safety of divers, Richardson has also been very involved in the health and diversity of the aquatic world. A co-developer of the Project AWARE program, which promotes underwater awareness, responsibility and education, Richardson now sits on the board of directors of Project AWARE Foundation. In this capacity, he was invited to speak at this year’s International Year of the Reef campaign launch in Washington D.C. to help the program call attention to coral reefs as the safeguard of the underwater environment. The International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame was founded in 2000 by the Cayman Island’s Ministry of Tourism to develop a relationship between the Cayman Islands and the individuals devoted shaping the sport of diving. It holds world-class standards for the inductees, and is dedicated to finding those that go above and beyond its requirements. Richardson joins other great scuba diving legends including Jacques Cousteau, Lloyd Bridges, Al Giddings, Stan Waterman and PADI’s Ralph Erickson, John Cronin and Jack Lavanchy. PADI congratulates Drew Richardson on this monumental achievement. (Source: PADI Press Release 31 January 2008)

Air New Zealand Recognised as the Best in Passenger Service
Air New Zealand has been judged as having the world's best passenger service in the prestigious Air Transport World magazine awards. Air Transport World magazine is one of the leading aviation publications globally and has been running its annual awards for more than 30 years. The awards are coveted by airlines with the Passenger Service Award one of the most valued, recognising an airline that has been "innovative and consistently superior in providing outstanding quality passenger service at a fair price". In announcing the award, Air Transport World Editorial Director and Associate Publisher Perry Flint cited Air New Zealand staff and ongoing product development as critical elements to its success. "Air New Zealand's customer service staff are known for their warmth and cheeriness and they are empowered to go the extra mile for their passengers”. Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Rob Fyfe says the award is justified recognition for the hard work Air New Zealand staff have put in the over the last few years. He adds "In 2005 the ATW recognized us with the Phoenix Award for our turn-around success. At the time we said we intended to offer the most complete, innovative and uniquely Kiwi experience possible in an effort to exceed customer expectations on every flight. To now be judged as having the finest service in the world reflects extremely well on the continual efforts made by the business to be the best. That intention has become a reality and our 10,975 staff should be extremely proud of that fact.” (Source: Air New Zealand Media Release 29 January 2008)