South Pacific Tourism Organisation Newsletter

REGIONAL NEWS  

Tourism Forum for September (Fiji )
The Fiji Tourism Forum will be held from 7-8 September 2006, at the Sheraton Fiji Resort. The theme is “Changing Environment – New Opportunities”. The forum will be chaired by Mr. Bob Lyon, the chairman of the ANZ Bank Pacific region and the keynote address will be delivered by Mr. John Borghetti, the Executive General Manager of Qantas Airways Limited. For more information contact FVB Marketing Officers, Severo Tagicakiverata on email: stagicakiverata@fijifvb.gov.fj or Vivienne Valentine on vvalentine@fijifvb.gov.fj (Source: Bula News 18/08/2006)

Tourism Situation Update in Solomon Islands
During the period (June to August), Solomon Airlines has reported an increase in its passenger’s loadings on its Brisbane to Honiara route. Air Niugini flights to Honiara has also reported an increase in its passenger loadings during the period which is why it is considering a third service to its current twice weekly services to Honiara . The five major hotels in Honiara and Gizo have reported an increase in occupancy rate during the period. Uepi Resort in Marovo Lagoon and Sanbis Resort off Gizo has also experienced full bookings during the period. For more information on tourism in the Solomon Islands , click here. 

Solomon Islands Creates 10 Year Aviation Development Plan
Finance Minister Bartholomew Ulufa'alu last week received Solomon Islands ’ 10-year aviation master plan from Communications, and Aviation Minister Patrick Vahoe. The plan charts development in the aviation industry from 2006 until 2015, focusing on the redevelopment and maintenance of existing aviation infrastructure, training, communication, security and relevant developments in the tourism industry. Nairie Alamu, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Communication and Aviation, said that while the previous government started the production of the master plan, it also contains important policies of the present government. She added that it is now up to the present government headed by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare to find the resources to implement the plan. Alamu also said  as soon as funds for the plan is made available by the Ministry of Finance, tenders will be called for, for the redevelopment of the terminals and other aviation infrastructures in early 2007. The plan will also seek to harmonize aviation standards with other Pacific island countries, particularly in regards to air safety. Upon receiving the plan, Minister Ulufa’alu reiterated the importance of making sure the special funds allocated to the Aviation Department for the plan be spent for its intended purposes. “The management of the Special Fund must be done on a parallel basis by the Ministry of Aviation and Finance to ensure checks and balances are in place,” Minister Ulufa’alu said.  “This will ensure there is will be provisions for a more transparent and accountable management.” Meanwhile, the ministry is currently reviewing the aviation legislation. Such review is expected to be completed within the next months. (Source: eTurbo News 22/08/2006)

SPTO NEWS  

SPTO Membership Update
SPTO welcomes another new member. 
Victory Inland Safari specializes in Fiji 's most authentic tours. They cater for group tours and individual bookings. This tour company offers the ultimate in Scenic Sightseeing and 4 Wheel Drive Adventures. For more information, visit their website:  www.victory.com.fj
For more Information on the SPTO Private Sector Membership and the associated benefits, please e-mail our Membership Coordinator on rdrekeni@spto.org

INDUSTRY NEWS  

Arts Village is Growing in Leaps and Bounds (Fiji )
Wai Tui opened it's doors for the first time in Pacific Harbour this week. It is the latest in a string of shops to open at the revitalised Arts Village Shopping Centre bringing the number of shop in the centre to over 50. Pacific Harbour has seen a complete turn around in the last 2 years, as a result of the refurbishment work of Arts Village Ltd and it Managing Director Eric Roberts. 'Going from a mere 6 shops to more than 50 in 2 yrs has had its challenges, especially ensuring that there is sufficient trade for the shop owners. It has been my full time job making sure that they are busy and that there are plenty of customers' says Eric Roberts. 'We have another 15 outlets scheduled for opening between now and the end of the year'. Even with all the new shops, shop owners at the Arts Village have experienced a 100% increase in their trading figures in the last 12 months. ' Pacific Harbour is booming, property values have increased by 100%-400% in the last 24 months' quotes Phil Gerlach, founder of the Yangara Studio City. He has just completed an independent study that suggests Pacific Harbour will become the economic hub of the coral coast and that it may well attract more tourists than any other single region in Fiji . 'The results of this study were a real surprise to me' says Roberts of the Arts Village , 'I knew that the area had enormous potential, but I had not realised the extent to which the area will grow until we saw this study. It has given us the confidence to move forward much more aggressively with our stage 2 plans.' 'We have decided to strata title the shops in the centre and will be shortly be releasing the first shops for sale. They will come with a guaranteed 8% return for the first 2 years.' 'This move will give a broader base of ownership to the commercial district, that I believe will add to a stronger commitment to the economic development of Pacific Harbour and will see yet more development.' Roberts also says 'When we first started the Arts Village project it was my dream to see the inhabitants of the area have a chance to share in the property that other parts of Fiji were enjoying. I now know that this really is possible and I will be working hard to achieve this for everybody here!' (Source: Arts Village Media Release 21/08/2006)

Jasons Travel Media New Chief Executive
Travel publisher John Sandford is to step aside as Chief Executive and Publisher of Jasons Travel Media, the company he founded and has led for the past 39 years. Steven Joyce, a current non-executive director of Jasons, is taking over the Chief Executive’s role. Joyce, the founder and former CEO of RadioWorks New Zealand Limited, has been a non-executive director of Jasons Travel Media for the last 18 months. His most recent executive role was as General Manager and Campaign Manager for the New Zealand National Party for 2 years, leading up to the last election. Chairman Geoff Burns says the change is part of a managed transition for the company.  “John felt that after many years of building the company and successfully bringing it to the share market last year, now was the right time for him to step aside from an executive role. However he has indicated to us that he will stay very much involved in Jasons through his Board position and the significant shareholding of his family trust”. “Steven has the right sort of marketing, media and public company experience to further develop the Company’s existing strategic growth plan. It is of great benefit to the company that Steven is willing and able to step into the Chief Executive role through the period of managed transition and growth for the company over the next year or two”. For more information click here. (Source: McManus Tourism Communications 21/08/2006)  

Yasawa Opens Baravi Spa
Yasawa Island Resort has opened its new Baravi spa. The resort has hired additional therapists for the spa. Hot and cold stone massage therapy for body, facials, manicure and pedicure treatments are also available. For more information contact Daryl Hudson via email yasawa@ca.inter.net or Tel: 1 (888) 876 6664. (Source: Bula News 18/08/2006)

Participants Confirmed for Dive Fiji Fiesta
Twenty-five participants are expected to attend the annual Dive Fiji Fiesta, which brings together key dive wholesalers to experience diving in the Yasawas, Mamanucas, the Sunshine Coast and Sonaisali. This will be the fourth such fiesta and is a joint sponsorship between local dive operators, Fiji Visitors Bureau and Air Pacific. For more information, contact FVB Senior Marketing Officer, Mr. Thomas Valentine on email: tvalentine@fijifvb.gov.fj (Source: Bula News 18/08/2006)

OTHER NEWS  

Qantas Signs Codeshare with Air China
Qantas has signed a codeshare arrangement with Air China  effective from September 15. Qantas group general manager sales and distribution Rob Gurney said the arrangement would see Air China codeshare on three weekly return Qantas services between Sydney and Beijing. "We are very pleased to welcome Air China  to the Qantas family of codeshare partners," he said. "China  is an extremely important market to the Qantas Group. In the lead-up to the 2008 Olympic Games, we expect to offer daily services between Australia and Beijing to better cater for growing trade and leisure travel. "Travel between China and Australia has increased more than 40 per cent in the past three years and is expected to grow a further 20 per cent in the coming year. "This codeshare agreement with Air China  is an extension of the Qantas Group's commitment to the region." Gurney said the Airbus A330 services would offer Air China  customers authentic Chinese cuisine and Qantas' award winning inflight entertainment, with personal television screens offering digital picture and sound quality in the Economy cabin. "These services feature Audio and Video on Demand, with a choice of 60 movies, 120 TV selections, a library of 120 CDs, 20 radio channels and 10 interactive games," he said. Gurney said Qantas had developed codeshare arrangements with many other leading airlines, offering customers an extended network that provided seamless access to a wide variety of destinations around the world. Qantas currently operates seven weekly services to mainland China – four to Shanghai and three to Beijing . (Source: TravelMole News 24/08/2006)