Vanuatu Tourism Appoints New General Manager
The Vanuatu Tourism Board last week announced the appointment of Annie Niatu as the new General Manager of the Vanuatu Tourism Office. Annie held the position of Marketing Manager for the Vanuatu Tourism Office before her appointment as General Manager.

Marshall Islands Tourism Awareness Week
The Marshall Islands Visitors Authority (MIVA) has designated the week of March 10-15 as Tourism Awareness Week.  “This is the first ever of its kind to take place in the Marshall Islands and we are hoping for full community support and participation,” says Dolores deBrum-Kattil, General Manager.  Activities to take place will include an essay contest for all 8th grade students in Majuro schools on the importance of protecting our marine resources and how tourism can help, a “Crisis Management in Tourism” training seminar in collaboration with Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Micronesia Chapter and RMI Small Business Development Center, school and community visits, a tourism job fair, clean-up and tree planting project, a local products fair, Marshalls Billfish Club mini-tournament  and other activities.  The opening ceremony will take place on March 10 at the International Conference Center with a guest speaker from the PATA Micronesia Chapter. MIVA will be working very closely with its local partners such as the Marshall Islands Tourism Association, Marshall Islands Chamber of Commerce, Marshall Islands Conservation Society, College of Marshall Islands, Majuro Atoll Waste Company, National and Local Governments, Mieco Beach Yacht Club and Marshalls Billfish Club, among others, in a collaborative effort to increase tourism and environmental awareness to improve living conditions in the community of the Marshall Islands particularly in Majuro. (Source: Marshall Islands Visitors Authority Press Release 18 February 2008)

Visiting Cruise Ships Create Historic Port of Papeete ‘Full House’
Four visiting cruise ships that created an historic "full house" in the Port of Papeete on Monday were still anchored at the two-year-old T-wharfs next to downtown Papeete on Tuesday. The first ship to arrive was the 670-passenger Tahitian Princess at 5:30 am Monday. She was followed by the 890-passenger Albatros and the 790-passenger Maxim Gorki. The last ship, the 604-passenger Amadea, arrived around 1:30 pm. And for a bit of color amidst all those big white hulls, was the Laurel, a private motor yacht with a blue hull. Their combined capacity of nearly 3,000 passengers plus a couple thousand crewmembers kept many people busy throughout the day and night. Hostesses from the GIE Tahiti Tourisme welcomed the passengers, while travel agencies lined up buses to whisk them off on a variety of shore excursions. The historic large number of cruise ship passengers in town all at the same time required extra hostesses and entertainment stands provided by Tahiti Tourisme. Unlike many visiting foreign flag cruise ships, these vessels did not just spend the day and leave. They remained tied up in Papeete Harbor Monday night, offering a spectacular port of vibrant colors for amateur and professional photographers. The four ships were due to leave the port Tuesday night. They arrived after last week's quick Valentine's Day visit by the Queen Elizabeth 2. She made her last call in Papeete as she completes her 25th world cruise and prepares to end up as a floating hotel in Dubai. Cunard Line, which operated the QE2 and also operates the Queen Mary 2 and the Queen Victoria 2, has indicated it would like to bring the QM2 to Papeete for the first time, according to a Port Authority official. "The Port of Papeete can handle ships 345 meters (1,132 ft.) long provided floating extensions are installed at the existing wharves," said the official, who is ready to welcome even larger vessels in the future. (Source: Tahitipresse 19 February 2008)

FVB Marketing Plan and Destination DVD
The FVB marketing plans for 2008 after invaluable input from various tourism associations within Fiji and, of course, with researched recommendations from their regional offices is now available on disc at FJ$10.00 each or in hard copy at FJ$80.00 per copy. Also available are the Fiji Destination DVDs. Please contact Vasemaca Driso on Tel: 6722433 for purchases. (Source: Fiji Visitors Bureau)

New Zealand Chooses Designing Team for its Pavilion
New Zealand has announced that the country has chosen a joint team to create its pavilion at World Expo Shanghai 2010. The joint team consists of a leading architectural firm, award-winning exhibition and garden designers as well as a world's leading project management company. New Zealand has secured a 2,000-square-meter prime site for its pavilion, which linked to the main walkway and visible to virtually every visitor to the Expo. "We're thrilled to be chosen for this task," said Chris Bicknell of Coffey Projects, who is to lead the team which will create and direct the building of the pavilion. "China is the focus of the world's attention right now and will be very important in New Zealand's future. This is a big responsibility and a wonderful opportunity. We are determined to do it justice." Most members of the joint team were also involved in creating the successful New Zealand pavilion at the 2006 World Expo at Aichi, Japan. "New Zealanders usually don't think of themselves as urban people," said Bicknell. "But in fact 86 percent of us live in towns and cities and our major cities rate very highly in world surveys of 'liveability'. We will be showcasing both our lifestyle and the innovative side of New Zealand urban life in the pavilion." New Zealand's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Phil Goff said that China's economic and strategic importance to New Zealand made participation in the expo imperative. "And the fact that we are about to become the first developed country to sign a free trade agreement with China further increases the potential of the expo for us. China has the fastest growth of all the major economies. Its middle class now numbers over 100 million and is growing rapidly," Goff said. (Source: World Expo Shanghai 2010 Official Website)

South Pacific Village – ITB 2008
Six South Pacific countries will again be featured with their private sector partners over 5 days during ITB 2008 in Berlin, Germany. The event runs with three trade days from 5th to 7th March and the final two trade and public days over the weekend of 8th and 9th March 2008. Fiji Islands and the Cook Islands will again have the largest presence on the South Pacific Village with 8 partners and 9 partners respectively.  There are a total of 35 organisations and business that will exhibit from the South Pacific Village, which includes private sector partners and NTOs. These private sector partners are mainly key tour operators along with hotels and resorts, which are the vital players of our tourism industry. The other countries that will also be featured with their private sector partners include Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands. All these member countries also participated in ITB 2007. Other regional countries that will be present with individual booths are Papua New Guinea, Tahiti and New Caledonia.  south-pacific.travel has coordinated the whole process of staging and looks forward to another successful South Pacific presence at ITB. (Source: south-pacific.travel Marketing Department)

Agent Seminar on South Pacific Destinations in Sydney
While a number of South Pacific countries are participating at the upcoming Sydney Travel Expo in March, south-pacific.travel and PITIC Sydney have also jointly coordinated an agent’s Evening Seminar on the South Pacific, at which member countries will be featured. The Seminar will be hosted at the Grace Hotel Sydney on Wednesday 12th March 2008 between 1730 and 2030. The Evening is planned in a two part format starting with a mini trade show for the first hour and then destination presentations later in the evening. Well over 100 agents in and around Sydney CBD have been formally invited to attend.  The objective of the seminar is to create a good opportunity for smaller destinations to showcase themselves to the trade market while in Sydney for the Travel Expo. All the NTO reps in Sydney have been very supportive and will be participating at the seminar. south-pacific.travel hereby acknowledges the continuous support and commitment by PITIC Sydney in jointly coordinating and hosting the inaugural seminar, which we hope to continue in the next year. (Source: south-pacific.travel Marketing Department)

south-pacific.travel membership update
south-pacific.travel welcomes Puaikura Reef Lodges as its newest private sector member. Puaikura Reef Lodges is a hidden gem in Rarotonga, situated a short 15 minute drive from the main township of Avarua.  The lodge features affordably priced and spacious rooms, simply perfect for families, singles, or for couples on a holiday or romantic journey. You are certain to enjoy your stay at Puaikura and they look forward to making your stay one of many unforgettable memories.  For more information, visit their website: www.puaikura.co.ck. 
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.

Mango Bay Resort Schoolies 2008
After the success of Mango Bay Resort Schoolies 2007 event, the Mango Bay’ers are preparing to host another post exam stress relief party for year 12 students from Australia and hopefully NZ too. This year Mango Bay will not just be hosting one week but four weeks of extreme socializing, partying, dancing, and loads of tropical Fiji fun! Starring international guest dj’s this event will sure to rock! For details, dates and prices click here for flyer. All ‘Schoolies ‘08” inquires can be emailed through to - info@travelisliving.com

Dive Tropex Tokoriki Wins the Project AWARE 2007 Environmental Award
Project AWARE Foundation, a nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to conserving underwater environments, recognizes the outstanding conservation efforts of eco operators through the Project AWARE Environmental Achievement Award. The 2007 award, won by Dive Tropex Tokoriki (based at exclusive Tokoriki Island Resort in the Fiji Islands), demonstrates the facility’s exceptional commitment to conserving underwater environments through education, advocacy and action. 42 dive centres across the globe received the prestigious award. Each year Project AWARE Foundation recognizes the outstanding environmental efforts of dive retailers and resorts. These facilities lead by example, helping to both motivate and inspire divers, consumers and local communities. Award winners operate their business in an environmentally responsible manner and exemplify the Project AWARE philosophy within their daily operations. (Source: Tokoriki Island Resort Press Release February 2008)

Air Vanuatu, Air Tahiti, Purchase New ATR-72 Aircraft
Two Pacific island airlines have signed up for the purchase of new French-built ATR turbo-prop aircraft ATR 72, series 500, the French aircraft manufacturer announced on Wednesday in a release. Both contracts were signed between ATR and the airline CEOs of Air Vanuatu and Air Tahiti during an air show in Singapore. In the case of air Vanuatu, which already owns an ATR-42, this will be the first acquisition of the larger ATR-72 version of an average seat capacity of 70 seats, depending on the local configuration. The aircraft is expected to be delivered in 2009, ATR said. Air Vanuatu is currently operating its ATR-42 between the capital Port Vila and the islands of Espiritu Santo (North) and Tanna (South), some of Vanuatu's main tourist attractions. Air Vanuatu's ATR-42 is also used on a regular basis on connections to neighbouring New Caledonia. "With its new ATR-72, Air Vanuatu will be in a position to meet the increasing demand on its regional and international network … to the neighbouring islands such as Fiji or the Solomon Islands". (Source: Oceania Flash 21 February 2008)

PIASA Takes Flight
The Pacific Islands Air Services Agreement (PIASA) has come into effect. Commonly known as the region’s ‘open skies’ agreement, PIASA now has the sixth ratification that was needed to come into effect. To date there are 10 signatories to PIASA and following the deposit of their instruments of accession with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, countries that have ratified PIASA include the Cook Islands, Nauru, Niue, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu. The sixth ratification, by Niue, was received by the Forum Secretariat in September 2007, and in accordance with the treaty’s terms, PIASA was brought it into force on 13 October 2007. PIASA was endorsed by Forum representatives in Tonga in 2002, opened for signature in Auckland on 16 August 2003, and signed by a number of Pacific Island Forum Ministers on that day. The importance of developing regional transport services embodied in the adoption of PIASA was subsequently reflected in the Pacific Plan endorsed by Leaders in 2005, under the priority area of “Economic Growth”. “PIASA is driven by the need to allow countries’ air services to fully develop and become more efficient,” explained Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General, Greg Urwin. “The highly regulated nature of regional air travel tends to manifest itself in the lack of frequent direct flights and high travel costs between Forum Island Countries. “The consequent barriers to growth the industry faces further hinders the economic benefits that the freer movement of goods and services will provide.” PIASA’s main objective is to establish a framework for the gradual integration of aviation services, providing a multilateral basis for this to occur among countries. “This would, in effect, enable Pacific carriers to increase their range of activities to take advantage of the benefits of regional alliances and cooperation,” said Mr Urwin. For more information on PIASA, visit www.forumsec.org (Source: Niu Pasifika January 2008)