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New Cook Islands Tourism Chief Executive Appointed
John
Dean, from Australia, will head the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation . The new chief executive's name was announced by tourism minister Wilkie Rasmussen in parliament on Tuesday. "This man is a very, very experienced man. Therefore the (tourism) board felt that he is the best candidate who applied. I stand by, as minister, the position of the board." Rasmussen said Dean, 62, has vast tourism industry experience in Australia. Dean has over 40 years experience in the tourism and travel industry there. He moves on from his position as the general manager marketing of Pulse Holidays, an outbound international wholesaler specialising in the niche markets of Mexico, Cuba and Jamaica. Prior to that, he was the CEO of Tourism Whitsundays, managing director of Australian Reservation Centre/1-Call Holidays, a leading Australian domestic wholesaler, CEO of the Gold Coast Tourism Bureau and group managing director of the Innkeepers Hotel, Resort & Apartment Group in Tasmania. (Source: Cook Islands News Online 13 February 2008)
Samoa Welcomes Visitors to www.samoa.travel
The Samoa Tourism Authority has launched their revamped website www.samoa.travel which boasts comprehensive and useful information on travel to Samoa for holiday planners and visitors alike. Swim with turtles or take a journey to one of the many alluring waterfalls, the preview is just a click away. Visit www.samoa.travel today and find out what awaits you in the Treasured Islands.
Suva Lifts its Cruise Ship Game
Inspired by the recent
Ministry of Tourism organized Cruise Conference, stakeholders in Suva are
determined to raise the profile of Fiji’s capital as a cruise destination. Suva
City Council, Holiday Inn Suva, ATS Pacific , Destination Suva, and many others are all working to give passengers a great experience. Passengers on 3 vessels which called at Suva this week were treated to a Police Marching Band welcome, cultural entertainment on the pier, a specially arranged local handicrafts stall in Ratu Sukuna Park, and improved visitor information services. The recently launched South Pacific Cruise Strategy (www.south-pacific.travel) notes the opportunity for just such work on the “software”, or visitor experience side of port calls in the region.
Shown from left: 1.
south-pacific.travel Dutch intern student Christine Pijpers welcomes the Van
Gogh from her country to Suva this week, 2. Suva’s Police Marching Band returns
to Kings Wharf to welcome P&O ’s Pacific Dawn and Hapag Llyod’s Europa in a restoration of a popular 1960’s tradition, 3. passengers show their appreciation.
Kiribati Declares Phoenix Islands as Marine Protected Area
Kiribati says it has officially declared the Phoenix Islands to become the world’s largest protected area to ensure its biological diversity and sustainability, reports Radio New Zealand International. The protection zone, which is halfway between Hawaii and Fiji, will be 185,000 square kilometers and will consist of underwater mountains, coral reefs and more than 520 species of fish. Kiribati’s minister for environment, Tetapo Nakara said the government wants to ensure a viable use of its resources. “Certain areas of the Phoenix Islands will be declared a marine protected area. In March, we’ll going to have the negotiation with the potential donors and after that we’ll determine the timeframe. The main reason for this is part of the government’s commitment to conserve the place and the biological diversity.” Mr Nakara said it hopes to fully establish the area as a protected zone by the end of the year. He also expected that the site would attract many tourists. (Source: Islands Business)
Surf’s Up In Solomons
Surfers are giving a welcome boost to
tourism numbers and businesses in the Solomon Islands . “I have three groups this month and am getting more enquiries all the time,” says Grant Griffiths, who developed and operates the popular Fatboys resort. This is on Babanga Island, a 10-minute outboard-powered boat ride from Gizo, the Western Province capital. One of the main people steering them to the Solomon Islands is Australian travel operator Nick Blanche. His Go Tours and Surf The Earth (www.surftheearth.com.au) specializes in surf safaris. Blanche;s team calls the Solomons “the last frontier for uncrowded surf breaks”. He also sends surfers to Maravagi Resort in the Florida Islands. This is across Iron Bottom Sound from the capital, Honiara, and is the closest surf resort to Honiara International Airport. (Source: Island Business)
Air Pacific’s Plans
At a joint SKAL/SOFTA meeting in
Suva this week, Air Pacific gave an insight into its plans. New Executive GM Commercial Mark Siladi expects a return to a more normal pricing environment in 2008, with less discounting in key markets. Mark noted the need to develop niche markets such as ecotourism and think more about targeting customers with the right products. Mark noted the outlook for various geographical markets. For more, south-pacific.travel members look out for next edition of Market Watch due out at the end of this month. Photo: Air Pacific’s new Executive GM Commercial Mark Siladi in Suva this week.
Queen Victoria to Grace the Pacific with her Presence
Cunard’s newest ocean liner, Queen Victoria, has begun her maiden crossing of the Pacific. The cruiseliner left LA carrying around 2,000 passengers and 1,000 crew. She will sail to Hawaii, American Samoa and Fiji, before arriving in Auckland on February 15. (Source: Inside Tourism)
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India Calling
south-pacific.travel members are invited
to be part of the inaugural South Pacific delegation to the emerging market of
India. Both Air New Zealand and Air Pacific take delivery of their new B787 Dreamliner aircraft at the end of the decade. Both have noted this gives them the ability to fly non-stop from the SubContinent to the South Pacific for the first time. India is one of the world’s fastest growing tourism markets – New Zealand for example recorded a 30 percent increase in visitors in 2007. A prospectus is now available to participate in the Pacific Village at PATAMART, Hyderabad, September 16/19 2008. The event will feature buyers from all over the world, including a strong showing from the host country. For those looking for added value, there is also an opportunity for guided sales calls in Singapore en route to India under the Singapore Starter Pack. Contact anihopara@south-pacific.travel for a prospectus.
south-pacific.travel membership update
south-pacific.travel welcome two new private members.
1. ATS Pacific (Fiji) - Formerly known as United Touring Fiji Limited, has a rich 30 year history throughout the South Pacific and their name is synonymous with quality and dedication to friendly service. As a fully-integrated travel management company ATS Pacific (Fiji) offers services such as access to online reservations and immediate confirmations. Airport welcome facilities and transfers by road, sea and air;an extensive Fiji-wide sightseeintg services; special programme planning for individuals, couples, families and groups special event and destination management; VIP guest arrangements with optional escort and tour guide services; shore excursions for the ports of Suva and Lautoka Tour Desks in major resort hotels; expert guidance and reservations for our Pacific neighbours. For more information, please visit their website: www.atspacific.com/fiji
2. 1848 Princess Tui Inn - is a budget bed and breakfast hotel conveniently located on Apia’s only beach and a short walk from the markets of Apia and Samoa's Palolo Deep Marine Reserve. 1848 Princess Tui Inn offers quite, clean beach side accommodation in a fascinating Samoan home. Visit their website for more information: www.princesstui.ws
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.
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