Fiji International Year of the Shark

As the hands of the clock approach midnight for Sharks, organizations working for their protection have joined forces and declared 2009 The International Year of the Shark.

As part of the International Year of the Shark, Beqa Adventure Divers and Shark Reef Marine Reserve have partnered with local and international organizations to offer you the Fiji Shark Conservation and Awareness Project.

The motion aims to raise global awareness of their imminent extinction and the oceanic crisis at hand.

Recent findings of the Global Shark Assessment indicate that at current rates of decline, extinction of the most threatened species of Shark is forecast in 10 to 15 years. In large regions, species that were once numerous have virtually disappeared, in a massacre comparable to that of the buffalo on the North American plains 200 years ago, but on a much larger scale. For example, studies of oceanic Sharks estimate 80 to 90% of heavily fished species are gone. Yet these intelligent animals are still fished intensively, and finned, usually while still alive, for shark fin soup.

Backpacker Tour Punches Above Its Weight In Prestigious Fiji Tourism Awards

Backpacker Tour Punches Above Its Weight In Fiji

SCOOP.co.nz
Tuesday, 24 February 2009, 1:03 pm
Press Release: Tourism Holdings Limited

MEDIA RELEASE
February 24, 2009

Backpacker Tour Punches Above Its Weight In Prestigious Fiji Tourism Awards

Feejee Experience, THL’s Fiji “sister” to hop on, hop off tour bus operator Kiwi Experience, was a finalist in the coveted “Fiji Experience” category at the 2008 AON Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards this month in Fiji.

The awards gala features the who’s who of Fiji’s tourism industry including island resorts, five star accommodation providers, environmental projects and various tour operators, and Feejee Experience was up against Great Sights Fiji, Kula Eco Park and Sigatoka River Safari’s for the award.

More here

The appeal of Feejee Experience is that it offers customers a unique way to see Fiji, says Quimby, giving them the chance to stay at some of Fiji’s most amazing beaches, interact with local culture on a daily basis, and participate in adventure activites such as sandboarding, a jungle trek, river tubing and bilibili rafting.

They offer a range of trips from four days to 14 days, but customers can extend their pass to twelve months if they want to spend longer at any of the stops. There are also many options to travel to islands such as Mantaray Island, Robinson Crusoe, and Vorovoro Island, where the BBC ‘Tribewanted’ documentary was filmed.

Also making its mark at the Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards was the Uprising Beach Resort located in the adventure capital of Pacific Harbour, which won “Best Accommodation - Budget.” Uprising Beach Resort was introduced as the second overnight stop on the Feejee Experience route in 2008. The first overnight stop on the tour is Mango Bay Resort, which received the award in 2007.

About Feejee Experience:
Feejee Experience is Fiji’s legendary hop-on, hop-off bus tour operator for backpackers and independent travellers. The Feejee Experience adventure travel network is part of Tourism Holdings Limited.

To find out more about Feejee Experience, check out their website.

Economic boom for Fiji’s ‘hidden paradise’

Economic boom for Fiji’s ‘hidden paradise’
16/02/2009

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A world class golf course and a new hotel in Savusavu are among new projects lined up for Fiji’s northern division.

A Malaysian company has also shown interest in planting jathropha, for bio-fuel, on a big scale, confirms Fiji Trade and Investment Board chairman Francis Narayan.

“There has been considerable interest shown by investors in Vanua Levu, but the flood situation has put everything on hold really,” he adds.

“They are more worried about Fiji’s flood situation however we at FTIB have made a point to talk to investors on a one on one basis and we have been telling them about the tax breaks that can be enjoyed by them if they choose to invest in Vanua Levu.

“As we are talking, there have already been confirmed projects such as hotels in Savusavu and a world class golf course in Natewa Bay. What we are looking at is development that will happen in the near future which will help revamp the North.”

The Northern Division, particularly Savusavu Town, has seen a boom in economic activity recently.

The Public Rental Board last week announced that it is building new flats to accommodate rising demands for housing.

PRB boss Mesake Senibulu said there has been an influx of people into Savusavu, especially from Labasa residents.

Savusavu is also benefiting from the tourist dollar.

The interim Government expects 16 cruise ships to visit the ‘hidden paradise’ this year.

Interim Attorney-General and Acting Minister for Tourism Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said the visit of cruise liner, Pacific Dawn, with over 2000 passengers, last Friday was expected to inject $F100,000 into Savusavu in one day.

Sayed-Khaiyum added that there were plans in place to further develop Savusavu into a tourism town.

State media reports that inbound tour operations were taking tourists to two villages (Nukubalavu and Nukutoso), Waisale Rainforest and a black pearl farm.

Tourism Fiji targets cruise ship sector

Tourism Fiji targets cruise ship sector
16/02/2009- Fijilive

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Plans are now in place to increase the flow of cruise liners through niche marketing activities showcasing lesser known areas of Fiji.

This was confirmed by Tourism Fiji chairman Patrick Wong today who said it was these cruise liners that generated and contributed the much needed foreign exchange earnings in the short period of time visiting our shores.

Wong said some of the non-traditional tourism areas that could benefit from cruise liners included the northern islands, Lomaiviti, Kadavu, Lau and Rotuma.

He said these plans would call for participation from all sectors in the community, from meke performers, firewalkers, entertainers, tour guides, ground operators, taxis and bus drivers, wood cavers, and weavers, etcetera.

“It also spreads the benefits of the tourism dollar by promoting non-traditional tourism areas and activities, supporting transportation companies, boat operators and small tourism related enterprise,” Wong said.

“It supports the government’s policy of spreading the tourism dollar throughout the islands and in support of small owner-operators, indigenous investors in the eco-tourism market such as trekking, diving, bird watching and soft adventure,” he said.

Wong said proposed plans would ensure the promotion of locally-owned enterprises that have no internationally-recognised branding and placing an emphasis on its unique selling points.

“But there is much work to be done with infrastructure on charting of our waters and identifying berthing and suitable mooring sights for the large liners” he said.

The AON Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards

The AON FIJI Excellence in Tourism Awards
Feb 10, 2009, 15.02

The 2008 AON Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards was held at the Sheraton Fiji Resort on Friday 6th February 2009.

This is a much anticipated annual event in the Fiji Tourism Industry calendar, where tourism operators compete for their product to recognized and endorsed with this prestigious Award. The Excellence in Tourism Awards have been in place now for 14 years.

There are 12 categories which are open to all tourism operators to submit a nomination and to be considered by a team of judges. The nominations are open for submission from August to October each year and judging begins from mid-November.

The ten product categories are open for self nomination or nomination by visitors, members of the industry and the general public. For the 2008 Awards nearly 2000 nominations were received for the different categories.

Categories encompass the different products in the Tourism Industry. The categories and winners are as follows:

1. Fiji Experience - includes cruises and tourist attractions: SIGATOKA RIVER SAFARI & KULA ECO PARK

2. Transport, Tours, Conference & Incentive Operators: ATS PACIFIC (FIJI) LTD

3. Restaurants - includes restaurants in the hotels/resorts: WICKED WALU RESTAURANT at the WARWICK FIJI RESORT & SPA

4. Environmental, Heritage, Arts & Culture - fostering appreciation and stewardship of the environment and our heritage: MAMANUCA ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIETY

5. Adventure Tourism - organized activity on land, air or water: ADRENALIN WATERSPORTS (FIJI) LTD

6. General Tourism Services including Shopping: Includes spas, wedding chapels, airports, web masters, event staging, translation etc: TAPPOOS

7. Accommodation Budget: UPRISING RESORT

8. Accommodation Quality: MERCURE HOTEL, NADI

9. Accommodation Deluxe: WESTIN DENARAU ISLAND RESORT & SPA

10. Accommodation Deluxe/Unique: LIKULIKU LAGOON RESORT

11. Young Achiever: For employees under 30 years old: JENNIFER YIP of WARWICK FIJI RESORT

12. Front Liner of the Year: Open to all workers in the industry: UNA MURRAY, PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER, OUTRIGGER ON THE LAGOON

The Young Achiever and Front Liner of the Year is not self nominating and they have to be nominated by their employer, members of the industry or general public.

In addition to the above there is a Grassroots Enterprise Development Grant which is the awarding of a total grant of up to $10,000 that will be given in kind to individuals or a community involved in business initiatives in the production of goods and services for tourism and have already proven successful in their endeavours and require assistance to take their business venture forward.

There were eight applications for grants for 2008 and six grants have been awarded to those that have fulfilled the criteria stated. They are:

1. Resorts (x2): Takalana Retreat, Tailevu and Seaworld at Botaira Resort: To assist in the purchase of equipment for the Resorts.

2. Farmers (x3): Emosi Viavia of Naweni Village, Savusavu; Mosese Bobi of Wailevu East, Savusavu and Rupeni Tuimavana of Greenroots Farm near Volivoli Village, Sigatoka.

3. Art & Craft (x1): Creativiti. For purchase of additional art and craft material.

The Board of Trustees select the premier awards that are given to individuals as follows:

1. Special Citation: For individuals who in their view have made a special contribution in the different areas of the industry. There two Special Citation Awards for 2008 and they were given to:

a. Ratu Kini Bokonaqiwa of Ratu Kini’s Backpackers, Mana Island

b. Cherrill Watson, recently retired Director Marketing Fiji Visitors Bureau/Tourism Fiji.

2. Lifetime Achiever: For individuals who have made lifetime achievements in tourism.

a. Kantilal Tappoo: Tappoos Group of Companies

3. Visionary: For individuals who have vision and have made outstanding contribution to Tourism.

a. Gaetane Austin: Pure Fiji

Members of the Board of Trustees are Dick Smith (Chairman), Gerald Barrack, Bill Cruickshank, Bob Dods and Ro Teimumu Kepa.

The Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards is self funded through sponsors. The major sponsors for the 2008 Awards are AON Fiji Ltd., Pacific Blue; Westpac Banking Corporation; Stella Travel Services; Rooster Poultry; Asco Motors; Fintel; Telecom Fiji Ltd, TPAF (sponsor of the pre dinner cocktails).

Sponsors in kind were received from Pure Fiji; Fiji Water; Tappoos; Tourism Fiji.

Hotels and Resorts also supported the event by donating prizes that were used for a Silent Auction during the evening and the proceeds were donated to the Prime Minister’s Flood Appeal. The major lucky draw prizes for the evening was donated by Air Pacific for trip for 2 to the Gold Coast and from Pacific Blue for a trip for 2 either to New Zealand or to Australia.

Chief Guest at the Awards was the Interim Prime Minister Commodore V Bainimarama and also present was the Interim Attorney General & Acting Minister for Tourism Mr Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum. The event was attended by 400 guests.

Olivia Mavoa
AWARDS COORDINATOR

All is well with Fiji tourism

All is well with Fiji tourism
3-Feb-2009 08:48 AM - Fiji daily Post online

ALL resorts in Fiji are fully functional despite the devastating effects of the recent floods in the country says interim Minister for Tourism Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.

While briefing members of the overseas and local media at a special press conference held at the Tourism Fiji boardroom in Nadi yesterday, Sayed-Khaiyum reiterated the consolidated efforts of the industry stakeholders who are expected to be rolling out special packages for visitors in association with national airline Air Pacific.

“We are quite keen to see tourists coming back to Fiji and in particular from our traditional markets in Australia and New Zealand where fifty percent of our visitors come from,” Sayed-Khaiyum said.

He said all stakeholders were working with various product managers and agents who were promoting Fiji to ensure a swift return of visitors after the recent natural disasters.

“We deeply acknowledge the part that Air Pacific and the various resorts are playing in driving this campaign forward together with Tourism Fiji which has various marketing strategies put in place,” Sayed-Khaiyum added.

“And of course we would like the local media to work closely with Tourism Fiji and the various resorts in promoting Fiji.”

Meanwhile Tourism Fiji which was formerly known as the Fiji Visitors Bureau will be officially launching its new name and logo this Friday.

Tourism Fiji chief executive Josefa Tuamoto confirmed the launch to the members of the media present at the press conference aimed at creating awareness for Fiji’s visitors that everything was back to normal in the country.

The prestigious Aon Risk sponsored 2008 Excellence in Tourism Awards is also scheduled to be held at the new look Sheraton Fiji Resort in Denarau Island this Friday.


By SHALENDRA PRASAD