Pacific Islands
New Cook Islands adventures
Island Hopper Vacations has new packages that open up the Cook Islands beyond Rarotonga and Aitutaki.
‘These are essentially small group charters with the ability for individuals or couples to join,’ says managing director Robert Skews.
The Southern Group Adventure package takes up to 12 people to Atiu, Mitiaro, Mauke and Mangaia, staying two nights in each island and includes flights, accommodation, tours and breakfasts and dinners.
Niue looks to Q4
Signs are promising that Niue will open to New Zealand quarantine-free in the fourth quarter of this year, according to the chair of the Pacific Island nation’s Tourism Advisory Board, Vanessa Marsh.
Marsh emphasises that a two-way bubble will be dependent on the vaccination roll out in Niue, plus agreement by both governments. However, there is reason to be optimistic with vaccinating expected to start in Niue
in June and take six weeks.
Two Raro resorts renovated
Pacific Resort Hotel Group has completed a $10 million renovation and repositioning of the Little Polynesian Resort and Pacific Resort Rarotonga.
The renovation programmes at both resorts has been ongoing over the past five years and entailed a full remodel of all guestrooms including new furniture, floor and wall coverings, as well as a bathroom remodel. In addition, renovation of all public areas, including restaurant, bar and pool is finished. A year-long closure of international borders into the Cook Islands due to Covid-19 has allowed both resorts to fast-track and complete upgrades ahead of schedule.
Samoa eyes borders
With increased prospects on a widening Pacific travel bubble in the next few months, Samoa Tourism Authority held a casual lunch and informative presentation for trade and media partners at Swashbucklers in Auckland last Friday.
Sonny Rivers, who handles the New Zealand market for STA, says that the opening of trans-Tasman borders and continued hope that Rarotonga and Niue will open to Kiwis soon are steps in the right direction for Pacific travel.
Site renovations for Samoa
The Samoa Tourism Authority (STA) is leading ongoing renovation works for sites within the country with assistance from the New Zealand Government through the Samoa Tourism Growth Partnership (STGP).
The partnership is a five-year investment since 2017, which also includes broader support of product development, tourism training and destination marketing.
Cooks' new training platform
As talks of two way international travel between New Zealand and the Cook Islands increase, travel agents are encouraged to become Cook Islands specialists through an all new online training platform from Cook Islands Tourism that focuses on the two most popular of the 15 islands - Rarotonga and Aitutaki.
The training platform features five modules: About the Cook Islands; About Rarotonga; Where to stay and things to do in Rarotonga; About Aitutaki; Where to stay and things to do in Aitutaki.
Skal Nadi marks New Year
With Skal Nadi’s Christmas Party being cancelled due to Tropical Cyclone Yasa in December, the New Year’s event was the first time members had been able to meet for just on two months.
The meeting was held at a Nadi Skaleague’s restaurant, Nadina Authentic Fijian Restaurant at Port Denarau where owner Amy Subam arranged a menu of traditional local cuisine. About 30 people attended, including the entire Nadi-based membership. The acting CEO of Tourism Fiji, Robert Thompson was the official guest and gave an update on the latest news from the organisation.
'Top five' in the Cooks
Agents looking for information and advice on the Cook Islands in anticipation of a travel corridor can access an Instagram page that gives tips in the destination.
Erin Micthell has been living in the Cooks for two and a half years and says the border closure has given her the chance to explore her own back yard.
‘I’ve created an account called Top 5 Cook Islands,’ says Mitchell. ‘Every week I select a category and highlight my top five – everything from great places to eat, sleep, drink and swim will be covered.’
New rep for New Caledonia
New Caledonia Tourism has appointed Nouvelle Vague Marketing to represent the destination in New Zealand and Australia.
Translating to ‘French New Wave’, Nouvelle Vague is headed up by tourism industry specialist Caroline Brunel.
With more than 20 years’ experience in destination marketing (including five years working on New Caledonia), Brunel has worked across major DMOs and wholesale, on both client and agency side,
Kiwis keen to get to Fiji – 39% plan to book through agent
Fiji is high on the list of New Zealanders’ travel aspirations lists right now and many would pack their bags and go if the borders opened now, according to research released late last week.
Tourism Fiji partnered with Mediaworks at the end of 2020 to survey Kiwis around their mindset towards Fiji for a holiday. The research targeted listeners on three radio stations – MoreFM, The Breeze and George FM.
Excitor Fiji for sale
A well known Fiji adventure tourism operation is on the market.
The sale of Excitor Fiji includes two boats, a semi sub, and other aspects of the business and intellectual property.
The vessels service a number of destinations out of Denarau, including the new platform 7th Heaven which Excitor will serve exclusively.
New training website for PNG
Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA) has a new destination training website for the trade.
Designed to immerse agents in the history, culture, adventures and unique stories of Papua New Guinea, as well as provide lots of practical information, the platform will help to increase destination knowledge and support the industry to better sell the destination.
Cook Is showcased virtually
The Cook Islands has created a new virtual reality feature online, showcasing six of the nation’s 15 islands.
Agents can navigate their way virtually around popular islands such as Rarotonga and Aitutaki from a computer, tablet or mobile device, whilst utilising the 360 navigation tool for an expanded outlook on accommodation, lagoons, scenic views and sites, plus dining facilities and activity locations.
Tropica closed to 1 April 2021
Tropica Island Resort will temporarily close for international arrivals until 31 March 2021 and will reopen on 1 April 2021.
Wayne Deed, director of sales and marketing, says the decision was made in light of it looking extremely unlikely that Fiji will be open any time over the next few months.
Cooks brochure released
A selection of 56 self catering properties and holiday homes in Rarotonga and Aitutaki, as well as hotels and resorts, are among the features of a new 36 page online brochure that focuses on the Cook Islands.
Released by Discover Cook Islands, a division of the Turama Pacific Travel Group, the brochure also has sample five and seven night stays in the destination. Rates are public and commissionable to bona fide travel agencies at 12%. Pricing is valid through to 31 March 2021 and the company will produce a further version for the next rate year.
CI tourism prepared for visitors from NZ
The Cook Islands health and tourism sectors are prepared for arrivals from New Zealand, a South Pacific Tourism Organisation webinar heard last week.
Vanuatu saves a spot
Vanuatu Tourism Office’s latest campaign, We’re Saving You A Spot, aims to motivate travellers to put Vanuatu on their holiday list.
The office says Vanuatu has remained Covid free and is ‘cautiously holding discussions and looking to open borders with New Zealand.’
Fiji plans ‘controlled’ travel
Fiji has set out a guideline to restart tourism, utilising VIP (Vacation in Paradise) lanes, that will see arrivals from Australia and New Zealand ‘holidaying in a manner that is carefully controlled and safely insulated’.
TN: ‘Don’t miss Pacific bubble opp’
New Zealand will miss an important opportunity to travel safely if a South Pacific bubble doesn't open soon, according to Daniel Eggenberger, general manager of Air Tahiti Nui.
Tahiti is opening to visitors from 15 July, with pre-departure health checks required by visitors.
Tourism Fiji's Happy Hour TV
Airing fortnightly on Tourism Fiji’s YouTube Channel, ‘Happy Hour TV’ will be available for international travellers and locals alike to tune in for an extra dose of Fiji happiness.
In the first episode the hosts report on the revival of bartering across Fiji as they speak with the founder of the revolutionary Facebook page, ‘Barter for Better Fiji.’ This Facebook group was created during the pandemic as a way for Fijians who are short on cash to still collect the items and resources they need.
Pushing for CI-NZ link
A leading hospitality personality in the Cook Islands has added his voice to calls for travel between that destination and New Zealand to be opened as soon as possible.
‘There are a number of reasons that make this logical and beneficial to both countries,’ says Tata Crocombe, chairman of Aitutaki Lagoon Private Island Resort, The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium and other properties and products. He is also founder of hospitable.tech.ai.
New Cal e-learning & incentive
New Caledonia Tourism has a new trade website and e-learning platform for travel agents.
Designed to grow agents’ knowledge and understanding of New Caledonia, both the website and platform feature practical information to engage the industry with the South Pacific archipelago.
Time for return of Coral route?
A well known Kiwi representative for Pacifc Island destinations and products has called for innovative ideas to boost travel in the region when it is safe to do so.
Susan Williams, of Hogan and Associates, says one such idea borrows from the past, but generated plenty of interest when she mentioned it on Facebook over the weekend.
Niue Tourism change
Felicity Bollen is departing the role of Niue Tourism chief executive. Prior to a five-year tenure leading Niue Tourism she worked as the business development manager of the Niue Chamber of Commerce for two years.
Bollen will continue to contribute to the development of the Pacific region, taking up the position in early May of director of Pacific Connections at the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade based in Auckland.
Solomons Is… still standing
Tourism Solomon Islands is reminding the trade that the destination is known as the ‘Hapi Isles’ for a good reason.
BLC 70 years young
There was quite a crowd on the MV Fiji Princess at Port Denarau on Thursday night when Blue Lagoon Cruises held its 70th birthday celebration.
Combined CK message
Edgewater Resort and Spa and Club Raro in the Cook Islands are increasingly being marketed as a ‘combined force’ under the banner of Island Hotels Group.
Tour at Fiji’s ‘forgotten’ side
A new tour to an often overlooked part of Fiji was promoted by Pacific Destinations during a trade event in Auckland yesterday.
NiuePocketGuide in
It wasn’t just the launch of the NiuePocketGuide that was celebrated in Auckland this week.
Vanuatu land diving
Vanuatu Ecotours has a new three-day package for clients wanting to better understand Vanuatu’s land diving ceremony and the mysterious South Pentecost region.
Samoa wedding workshop targets Kiwi trade
Obvious potential in the marriage and romance markets has encouraged Samoa Tourism to hold a weddings workshop for the trade in Auckland early next month.
Brunel scores Tahiti Tourisme
Sydney-based Caroline Brunel of Nouvelle Vague Marketing is the new representative for Tahiti Tourisme in the Australia and New Zealand markets.
PNG cruises into trade’s focus
Papua New Guinea’s emergence in the cruise sector is encouraging both trade and clients to view the destination in a new way, according to PNG representatives who visited New Zealand last week.
New CEO at Tahiti Tourisme
Jean-Marc Mocellin has been appointed chief executive officer of Tahiti Tourisme.
Vomo rocks for couples
The opening of The Rocks adults-only area last year has helped Vomo Island Fiji strengthen its position as a couples resort, while not detracting from its appeal as a luxury family destination, says general manager Justin King.
