RADISSON RESORT
FIJI BEACHFRONT WEDDING PACKAGE FROM FJD$1520
Radisson Resort Fiji Denarau Island has partnered with
Paradise Bride to create the ultimate beachfront wedding
package for hotel guests looking to tie the knot. The
Beach Wedding package starts at F$1520 and includes:
• Wedding Coordinator
• Marriage Celebrant
• Transfer & Escort to the Registry Office
• License & Marriage Certificate
• Tropical Bouquet & Buttonhole
• Venue Decoration
• Serenaders
• 2 Cut Photo in Photo Frame
An onsite wedding planner will escort couples to the Nadi
Registry to obtain their marriage license. The marriage
celebrant will conduct the ceremony with serenaders
entertaining in the backdrop.
In addition to this wedding package offer, guests will
receive a complimentary two nights stay at the resort for
every three nights booked and paid for. This is the
perfect way to accommodate the wedding party and guests.
Information:
paradisebride@connect.com.fj
NAIGANI ISLAND RESORT—$FJD250
DEAL FOR FAMILIES
Naigani Island Resort, located on 540 acres on the eastern
coast of Viti Levu, is offering discounted rates for
travelers. Rates start at FJ$250 per person per night for
families, based on groups of two adults and two children
from 3-12 years of age. Rates for couples start at FJ$150
per person per night. These rates include accommodation,
full buffet continental breakfast, lunch and main course
dinner. Families with more than two children pay FJ$20 per
additional child per meal. Return launch transfers from
the resort cost FJ$80 per person.
Information:
www.naiganiresorts.com
VOLIVOLI BEACH RESORT—7 NIGHTS
DIVE PACKAGE FJ$1,424
Volivoli Beach Resort Fiji is now offering a seven-night
dive package with accommodations for visitors. Priced at
FJ$1,424 per person for the week, the package includes 12
dive tanks, seven night’s accommodations in a studio vale,
airport transfers and daily breakfast.
Information:
http://www.volivoli.com
TOURISM FIJI NEWS
FORBES.COM RANKS FIJI IN TOP 15 FOR
US TRAVELERS
Fiji has been rated among the top 15 cheapest countries
for American travelers during the current recession in the
US financial market. "Fiji is one of the many places that
has suddenly become more affordable to American
travelers," according to the website Forbes.com. A recent
20% devaluation of the Fiji dollar coupled with a 40% gain
by the greenback means that US$100 currently buys FJ$204
on the ground. Tourism Fiji Regional Director Ili Matatolu
welcomed the rating and hopes that Americans will take
advantage of this extremely favorable exchange rates and
fantastic deals available from their industry partners for
2009.
Information:
www.fijime.com
ADELINE LEE ERASITO APPOINTED
MARKETING SERVICES MANAGER
Tourism Fiji has announced the appointment of Adeline
Lee-Erasito as its new Marketing Services Manager. Based
at Tourism Fiji’s head office in Nadi, Lee-Erasito will
look after Tourism Fiji’s marketing plans for its emerging
markets of Hong Kong, China, South Korea, India in
addition to Japan. Her new role will also include Tourism
Fiji’s international media visitation program, C&I, and
special events portfolios.
Lee-Erasito’s timely appointment comes in conjunction with
Continental Micronesia Airlines’ new services in Asia,
including a Japan to Nadi route that will commence later
in the year, and the start-up of Air Pacific’s new Hong
Kong services on December 3rd.
Information:
www.fijime.com
TOURISM FIJI ANNOUNCES DATES FOR
FIJI TOURISM FORUM 2009
One of Fiji’s premier events, the Fiji Tourism Forum, will
be held at the recently opened Intercontinental Fiji Golf
Resort & Spa on Friday, August 14, 2009. The theme for
this one-day domestic event will be ‘The Spirit of
Fiji—for New Paradigms.’ According to Damend Gounder,
Chairman for the planning committee, the forum is intended
“to underline the Tourism Industry’s role in these
changing and challenging times, as well as to
re-strategize the successful positioning of Fiji during
these times and beyond.” The theme of the event will be
incorporated into the layout and planning for the forum
and also integrated into the speakers’ subject material,
items for discussion and subsequent action.
Registration Information: Alisi Lutu,
alutu@tourismfiji.com.fj or
www.fijime.com
SERA CAWANIBUKA APPOINTED NEW
REGIONAL MARKETING OFFICER FOR TOURISM FIJI (THE AMERICAS)
Sera Cawanibuka, formerly the regional coordinator for
Tourism Fiji’s Matai Specialist Program has been appointed
to the position of regional marketing officer for Tourism
Fiji in its Los Angeles office. Under her new role,
Cawanibuka will direct Tourism Fiji’s trade and consumer
roadshow programs for USA and Canada. She will also
coordinate Tourism Fiji’s marketing plan for its
Conference and Incentive Market, Destination Weddings and
Honeymoon market, and develop Fiji’s opportunities in its
designated priority segments. Cawanibuka is a graduate of
the University of the South Pacific with a Bachelor of
Arts in Tourism Management and Public Administration.
Information:
www.fijime.com
JIM SELKIN - NEW MATAI
COORDINATOR FOR NORTH AMERICA
Tourism Fiji has contracted Jim Selkin to serve as the new
Fiji Matai Coordinator for North America. Jim was
instrumental in setting up the first phase of the Matai
program and comes in to replace Sera Cawanibuka who has
just been promoted to serve as the Regional Marketing
Officer. Selkin’s new responsibilities include the
implementation of Phase Two of the program which includes
the further development of marketing materials and
improving its online content and delivery. Jim can be
contacted on:
jim@bulafiji-americas.com
CALLING ALL FIJI MATAIS - 2009
MATAI CONVENTION
Tourism Fiji has announced dates for the 2009 Fiji Matai
Convention, to be held in Fiji November 10-19, 2009. The
first 2 days are going to be hosted by the brand new
Intercontinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa, located on
stunning Natadola Beach . Featuring a fun-filled
educational program which will include environmental
conservation trips, the convention also includes 7- nights
fam trips to Fiji’s key tourism regions as well as
“affordable luxury gems” that strongly appeal to the North
American market.
Information:
sera@bulafiji-americas.com
EVENTS & PROMOTIONS
WIN A SEVEN-NIGHT
TRIP TO MATAVA—FIJI’S PREMIER ECO ADVENTURE RESORT IN 2ND
ANNUAL OCEAN IN FOCUS CONSERVATION PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST
Project AWARE Foundation and SeaWeb’s Marine Photobank are
joining forces to host the second annual Ocean in Focus
Conservation Photography contest that seeks entries
showing the destructive impact on marine environments in
order to inspire conservationist actions. Photographers of
all experience levels, including conservationists,
scientists, divers, travelers and students are encouraged
to compete for the contests’ Grand Prize: a diving
vacation to Fiji, including a seven-night stay at Matava—Fiji’s
Premier Eco-Adventure Resort. Prizes also include sterling
silver coral-inspired necklaces from Hannah Garrison,
beautiful Bob Talbot prints and carbon offsets from
NativeEnergy. Photographers will compete for prizes in two
contest categories: Species of Concern/Ecosystem Decline
and Humans and the Ocean: Impacts and Solutions.
“This photo contest is geared toward advancing ocean
conservation through the power of imagery,” according to
SeaWeb President, Dawn M. Marin. “There are many problems
to be addressed in the ocean. Anyone who holds a camera in
their hand has the power to change the hearts and minds of
people around them through the images they capture and the
inspiration those images can provide.”
Information:
info@matava.com
RUCKSACK CLUB,
FIJI UNLEASHES “TRIBEWANTED,” A CROSS-CULTURAL COMMUNITY
PROJECT FOR TRAVELERS
Rucksack Club, Fiji has created “Tribewanted,” a
cross-cultural community project that offers visitors to
Fiji the chance to have an interactive and authentic local
experience on the tropical island of Vorovoro. During the
program, participants will get involved in all sorts of
projects including gardening, farming, cooking, fishing,
wood cutting, building traditional bures and documenting
island life through blogging. Visitors will also learn
traditional crafts, take language lessons, learn Fijian
dance and volunteer at local schools. Priced at FJ$500 for
seven night’s duration, Tribewanted includes five meals a
day and board and transfers from Lavasa airport to
Vorovoro Island. Rucksack Club, Fiji is an outdoor
adventure organization that meets the 2nd Wednesday of the
month at the 120-year-old St. Andrews Church Hall in Suva
at 6:45 p.m. Visitors to Fiji are welcome to attend to
learn more about Fiji and the South Pacific.
Information: Sarah Gwonyoma,
sarahg@tribewanted.com
RESORT & INDUSTRY UPDATE
AIR PACIFIC
ANNOUNCES NEW SERVICE BETWEEN FIJI AND HONG KONG
Air Pacific’s managing director and CEO, John Campbell,
has announced that the airline will offer bi-weekly
service between Nadi and Hong Kong starting on December 3,
2009. Hong Kong is a major hub for services from China and
Japan, as well as flights from the United Kingdom and
Europe. Connecting flights are available to and from
points in India, the emerging Middle East, Russia and
Eastern Europe markets, which coupled with a dynamic
tourism market in Hong Kong and Southern China presents an
advantageous opportunity for Fiji.
Flights between Hong Kong and Nadi will operate on
Thursdays and Saturdays with an 8:55 a.m. departure time
from Nadi arriving in Hong Kong at 3:10 p.m., and
returning to Nadi from Hong Kong at 5:05 p.m. to arrive
back in Nadi at 7:05 a.m. Hong Kong permits citizens of
Fiji to enter the country without a visa and travel freely
through to India, Asia, China, the Middle East and Europe.
Information:
candrus@airpacific.com
ROYAL DAVUI ISLAND FIJI NAMED
“MOST EXCELLENT ROMANTIC HIDEAWAY” BY CONDE NAST JOHANSENS
FOR 2007 AND 2008
For the second time in a row, Royal Davui Island Fiji has
been named the ‘Most Excellent Romantic Hideaway’ in the
Atlantic, Caribbean and the South Pacific in by Conde Nast
Johansens. Rising out of crystalline Beqa Lagoon, Royal
Davui Island is 40 minutes by helicopter from Denarau or
by Royal Davui’s private aircraft to Pacific Harbour and
then a short launch transfer to the island. Redefining
laid-back luxury, the resort offers 16 exquisitely
appointed and air-conditioned vales (Fijian home) that are
created with couples in mind, with private terraces, stone
plunge pools and views of white sand beaches over sapphire
waters. Menus at royal Davui are included in the tariff,
designed daily using fresh, seasonal ingredients, Seafood
plays a large part in the Fijian diet with fish being
offered on the menu daily. Our menus are designed to
compliment our tropical Fijian climate
Award-winning Pure Fiji bathroom amenities infuse the
vales with tropical aromas, and each vales private Jacuzzi
spa invites couples to relax. Snorkel or scuba dive to
explore the private coral reef, or venture further for
world-class angling and catamaran sailing.
Information:
www.royaldavui.com
SONAISALI ISLAND RESORT FIJI
OFFERS WIRELESS INTERNET FOR HOTEL GUESTS WITH VODAFONE’S
NEW G BROADBAND
Sonaisali Island Resort Fiji has installed Vodafone’s new
G Broadband service throughout the resort, making it
possible for guests to have wireless Internet access at
various points in the main complex of the resort. Guests
can now enjoy Internet access outside the conference room,
in the lobby and even in the Tale Bar while sipping a
cocktail. “This is an exciting move for Sonaisali,” said
the resort’s Managing Director, Aaeon McGrath. “So many of
our guests these days rely on the internet to stay in
touch with loved ones while traveling, or are business
people who need to check e-mail while on vacation. This
will allow them to do so without missing out on any of the
action happening on the resort.” In addition to new
wireless capabilities, the resort will continue to operate
a full business center facility with Internet café
services.
Information:
www.sonaisali.com
INTERCONTINENTAL FIJI GOLF RESORT
& SPA OPENS JUNE 1, 2009
InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa opened its doors
for the first time to visitors on June 1, 2009. Spread
across 35 acres of tropical gardens, InterContinental Fiji
Golf Resort & Spa is the sole destination resort on
Natadola Beach, the only stretch of natural, white sand
beach on the main island of Fiji, Viti Levu. Protected by
a reef to create an aqua-blue ocean-facing lagoon,
Natadola Beach was voted by Forbes Magazine in 2008 as one
of the 25 best beaches in the world. “This is a pristine
location that InterContinental Fiji will protect,
celebrate and share with the world,” said the Resort’s
general manager, Neil Houghton.
In addition to its illustrious setting, the Resort boasts
Fiji’s first international competition standard, par 72,
7,000 yard golf-course, a full-service spa, five
restaurants and bars with locally inspired and
international cuisines, four swimming pools, an on-site
dive center, a recreation and beach activity center,
volleyball, a full gym and fitness center and on-site
shopping and tour facilities. Room rates for the resort
start at F$280 per night, subject to availability through
2009.
Information:
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/intercontinental/en/gb/locations/fiji
CONDE NAST TRAVELER NAMES NAVUTU
STARS RESORT FIJI ONE OF THE WORLDS ‘SEXIEST RESORTS’
Conde Nast Traveler has named Navutu Stars Resort Fiji
among the ‘Sexiest Resorts in the World.’ Unwind on an
intimate and secluded island in the Yasawas, rated on of
the most beautiful and tranquil places on earth. Navutu
Stars offers barefoot luxury in a hush-hush tropical
paradise, with an emphasis on sound ecological values. The
resort is an ecologically balanced island sanctuary of
pristine white beaches, dramatic monoliths, crystal clear
lagoons, and rich marine life. Relax in one of the nine
spacious and immaculate bures combining traditional Fijian
architecture and modern comfort and design under coconut
palms. The resort offers truly special gourmet dining and
spa experiences. The organic spa features naturally
crafted treatments blended from such local ingredients as
aloe vera and coconut flakes, as well as modern cosmetics
from certified organic South Pacific farms. Stylish
Italian and Pacific Rim flavors are created daily using
freshly caught fish and fabulous produce from Navutu’s own
organic gardens.
Information:
www.navutustarsfiji.com
TAUNOVO BAY RESORT & SPA APPOINTS
NEIL FOON AS NEW EXECUTIVE CHEF
Taunovo Bay Resort & Spa has welcomed Neil Foon to the
kitchen as the new Executive Chef for the resort. Foon
comes from a diverse career background in journalism,
media and hospitality. Joined by a twelve member team at
Taunovo Bay, Neil’s philosophy of using locally grown
produce and seafood in innovative ways produces a uniquely
Fijian culinary style. Foon is a graduate of the Great
Barrier Reef Institute, and has worked with the
Hinchinbrook Island Resort in North Queensland, where he
served as the Executive Resort Chef. After returning to
Fiji in 2004, he worked with Magnum Productions to create
Fiji’s first reality food show, ‘Flavors of Fiji.’ Foon
acted as a consultant chef for the Yasawa Island Lodge and
Myola Plantation before joining Taunovo Bay Resort & Spa.
Information:
www.taunovobay.com
DAKU RESORT OFFERS WEEK LONG YOGA
RETREATS FOR GUESTS
Daku Resort in Savusavu is now offering a variety of
weeklong yoga retreats for guests scheduled through the
end of 2009. The resort has gathered teachers from a range
of yoga practices for a series of courses. Each one is a
practicing yoga teacher with an established following, and
offers a slightly different approach to this ancient
discipline of body and mind.
Information:
http://yogainfiji.com
INTERCONTINENTAL GOLF RESORT &
SPA INTRODUCES NATADOLA GOLF COURSE
Natadola Golf Course, the official course of the newly
opened Intercontinental Golf Resort & Spa, opened to
visitors on June 11, 2009. The 7,000-yard, par 72 course
is Fiji’s first international competition standard course,
with 15 of its 18 holes hugging the Coral Coast and up to
five different tee-off stages per hole.
Information:
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/intercontinental/en/gb/locations/fiji
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