|
Fiji Cruise Conference
Fiji Ministry of Tourism ran an excellent Cruise conference in Lami this week. Representatives from global cruise companies interacted with a broad range of local businesses and Government agencies on how to develop the sector. south-pacific.travel Chief Executive Tony Everitt noted the South Pacific Cruise Strategy (see www.south-pacific.travel). (Photo: Holland America’s Seattle based Manager for Port Operations Chris Martin tells the conference that they plan to increase the size of their vessel in the South Pacific over the next 2 years, and possibly even look at introducing a second vessel).
Tahiti Celebrates Paul Gauguin’s 10th Anniversary in French Polynesia
Tahiti organized a gala welcome for the Paul Gauguin on Jan. 15 to celebrate the 330-passenger cruise ship’s 10th anniversary in the only homeport it has ever known, Papeete. Several officials, Tahiti’s best traditional dance group and even a fireworks display over Papeete Harbor were organized to celebrate the occasion. Since arriving in Tahiti for the first time in January 1998, the m/v Paul Gauguin has carried more than 120,000 passengers on more than 400 cruises among Tahiti and Her Islands. The ship has undergone four refurbishments at a total investment of more than $15 million (€10.3 million) to keep her in pristine condition. Among the anniversary VIPs was Mark Conroy, the president of Regent Seven Seas, which operates the cruise ship. He was aboard the Paul Gauguin for a 10-night “President’s Cruise” that left Papeete the next day. Also present was Christian Sauleau, Regent Seven Seas’ operations executive vice president. Besides supervising the cruise line’s fleet operations, he oversees shore excursions and land programs. (Source: Tahiti Tourisme Weekly Bulletin News Update Vol.5 no. 240 – 18 January 2008)
Vanuatu Tourism Pins Hopes for Growth on New Plane
Tourism operators in Vanuatu are hoping the national airline’s new plane will help the industry continue to grow. Air Vanuatu has upgraded its 10-year old Boeing 737-*300 to a 737-800, which has more than an additional 40 seats, and will begin flying on February 1st. The marketing manager for the Vanuatu Tourism Office, Annie Niatu, says with the new plane flying to both Port Vila and Santo, more local people will benefit from tourism. “The hotel industry is going to benefit if there’s more people coming in to Vanuatu. Then we are hoping that more visitors are also able to travel to the outer islands wihich is where the rural areas are. With Air Vanuatu flying to Santo this is where we see more visitors going to the outer islands.” Annie Niatu says there will need to be more marketing and promotion to make sure the airline is running at capacity. (Source: Radio New Zealand International News 24 January 2008)
Tourism Industry Prospers on Innovation
The Cook Islands Tourism corporation cannot provide solutions for all problems in the industry according to tourism minister Wilkie Rasmussen. "Tourism in the Cook Islands must prosper on innovation and the go-getter attitude," says Rasmussen. He made the statement during the opening of the four day tourism industry conference at the Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa last week. Rasmussen said he was pleased to say that the Cook Islands people's spirit of self-determination is well and truly established and is evident in the developments of the industry. Acting chief executive Glenda Tuaine echoed the minister's statement during her overview presentation on the industry. She said accredited industry members need to work together and find innovative ways to improve tourism. Tuaine said the conference is an opportunity for the industry members to work with the tourism office to put plans in place on the direction the industry should head in. Tuaine warned that once a new chief executive is appointed that there may be more changes to come in the way the corporation will support the industry. Representatives from the five overseas offices are attending the conference to provide their perspective on tourism. One of the main focuses of the conference is regional tourism and how trends in the region can affect visitor numbers from the northern and southern hemispheres. Promoting and creating eco-tourism in the Cooks is one of the aims of the corporation because it is one of the fastest growing markets in the world according to Tuaine. (Source: Cook Islands News Online 17 January 2008)
Capacity Rearrangement Between Nadi and Los Angeles
Air New Zealand will expand its code-share agreement with Air Pacific from four services per week to six services per week. All six code-share services will connect to and from Air New Zealand’s London services to ensure the flow of Northern Hemisphere tourism into Fiji. Air New Zealand Group General Manager International Airline Ed Sims said today the code-share agreement with Air Pacific announced last year was working well. Mr Sims said it was pragmatic for the airline to extend its code-share agreement with Air Pacific and deploy its Boeing 767-300ER aircraft onto higher yielding routes, particularly given ongoing operational pressures such as the high cost of jet fuel. The new arrangement means that Air New Zealand code-share services between Nadi and Los Angeles will operate every day except Fridays. Air Pacific operates Boeing 747-400 aircraft on this route with a capacity of 28 business class and 452 economy class seats (Source: Air New Zealand Media Release 24 January 2008 ). The extra 2 weekly B747s operated by Air Pacific will provide 8 percent more capacity on the route than the current 3 weekly B767 operated by Air New Zealand.
Dedicated Cruise Wharf for Suva
Ports of Fiji revealed plans at the Fiji Cruise Conference for a $500m upgrade to Suva’s facilities over the next 10 years. This involves developing the Rokobili Container Park to the south of the city into a dedicated international cargo port. Once complete all cargo operations will be transferred there allowing the existing King’s Wharf in the city centre to be redeveloped to cater specifically for the needs of Cruise vessels and passengers.
|
中文
日本語
blog
