South Pacific Destination Update Seminar Highlights Regional Diversity

As a prelude to the recent Sydney Travel XPO 2008, the Pacific Islands Trade and Investment Commission in conjunction with south-pacific.travel organised a South Pacific Destination Update Seminar in the Grace Hotel for the travel industry.

Andrew Niopara, Marketing Manager, south-pacific.travel, – the formerly named South Pacific Travel Organisation – came from the organisation’s Suva, Fiji office to welcome participants attending a fact-packed evening that also included time to network with national tourist office representatives from throughout the region.

A round of informative presentations was made to familiarise agents with the diversity of destinations found in the South Pacific and update them on new developments in travel and tourism.

“Niue is unspoiled, undiscovered and unbelievable.  There are 1600 caves but only 1500 people living in the world’s smallest self governing independent country,” said Richard Skewes, Australian Marketing Manager, Niue Tourism.

Niue – the largest piece of coral in the world – is a “moonscape country” that’s a perfect destination for soft adventure holidays like cave exploring, bird watching, bush walking as one third of the island is forested, snorkelling – visibility is 40 to 50 metres – and swimming with whales from June to November. 

The official website – www.niueisland.com – has more information about activities and events, he added. 

The 100 islands that make up the Solomon Islands offer some of the best surfing and diving opportunities in the world, said Nicole Lenoir-Jourdan, Publicity Representative, Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau.

The waters of this Melanesian nation three hours from Brisbane are dotted with incredible wrecks that are being explored by more Australians each year, she added.

The easing of travel warnings from the Australian Government last month has been welcomed by the government which is aiming to substantially improve the role of tourism in the developing the local economy.

Meanwhile, Solomon Airlines is plans to replace the Ozjet Boeing 737-200 with a 737-300.  The carrier currently operates four flights a week between Brisbane and Honiara with a new Sydney service via Port Vila every Friday proving to be popular, she said.

Air access has been further increased with SkyAirWorld inaugurating services to Honiara from Brisbane on March 3. 

[Pictured right Ellison Kyere believes that the launch of new air services plus the increase in capacity will see tourism arrivals swell to the Solomon Islands.]

The current schedule is five flights a week increasing to six by the end of the month so more people will be able to visit an unspoiled land where shells and red feathers are still used for money, she added.

The Solomon Islands tourism services oriented website www.solomonhost.com.sb was launched on February 8.

Kiribati is a Micronesian nation comprised of 33 low lying atolls scattered over more than 3 million sq. km of central Pacific Ocean, said Eveata Benson, Kiribati Tourism Office in her introduction about this neighbouring nation.

Served by Air Pacific, the capital of Tarawa, 2800 km northwest of Fiji, has one of the nation’s two international airports.  Kiribati is also home to the world’s largest marine park, PIPA. 

Sport fishing, bird watching, diving, snorkelling, surfing, kayaking and yachting are some of the water-based sporting appeals in a country formerly known as the Gilbert Islands.

There are also war relics to explore as well as cycling, walking and village tours.  The website www.visit-kiribati.com has more information, she said. 

“On the same latitude as Townsville and Cairns, it’s only two meals and two movies from Sydney to Rarotonga where the international airport is located,” said Mereana Taruia, Manager, Australia, Cook Islands Tourism Corporation.

Last year nearly 100,000 tourists visited the island nation which has a population nudging the 20,000 mark.  About 20,000 visitors came from Australia.

We find that visitors like the slow pace of life.  There are no traffic lights or chain hotels and it’s only takes 45 minutes to circle the island.  Yet we have excellent accommodation and more than 50 cafes and restaurants on Rarotonga.  There is a wealth of information available at www.cook-islands.com, she said.

The Cook Islands is also promoting water based activities but the wedding industry is also an important market segment.  There are a number of options for a memorable wedding ranging from a garden setting to a deserted island and prices are very reasonable starting from NZ$899, she added.

May to October is the dry season in the “Happiest Country on the Planet”, said Carol Wilson, Marketing Representative, Australia, Vanuatu Tourism Office.

Ten flights a week link Sydney/Brisbane with Vanuatu.  There is now a direct service to Santo, the largest island in the group, from Brisbane.

There are some 30 restaurants in the capital of Port Vila with many outlets serving unique dishes inspired by French, Mediterranean and Asian kitchens.

Vanuatu has traditionally been a destination noted for its diving, particularly on Santo where the USS Coolidge was sunk, sailing, fishing sunset cruising and visits to cultural villages. 

These activities have been recently augmented with soft adventure pursuits like abseiling, mountain biking and eco cycling through villages.  As well, there are now a number of activities for children, she said.

Visiting Tanna is like “taking a step back in time”.  The ancient culture is intact, she added. 

The volcanic island of Tana which can be reached by 42 seat aircraft from Port Vila is home to Mt Yasur.  A visit to one of the world’s most accessible and active volcanos can be combined with snorkelling and waterfall trekking for a most enjoyable three or four day stay, she said.

Agents can get more details about the diversity of “this destination within a destination” by visiting www.vanuatutourism.com.

“The Heart of Polynesia” and “The Treasure Islands of the South Pacific” are affordable and accessible, said Papali’I Lorenzo McFarland, Marketing Representative, Samoa Tourism Authority.

Virgin Blue has a three times a week service out of Sydney which has proven to be very popular, he said.

While culture and nature are among our major attractions, a holiday in Samoa is still affordable with a lobster buffet costing $35 and accommodation in a beach fale including meals costing $25, he said.

Apia has gained considerable attention since the opening of a new international standard golf course and the Lagoon Beach Resort near the international airport. 

More information is available from www.visitsamoa.ws

The fact that Tonga is the only kingdom in the South Pacific is just one of our major differences, said Rev. Sione M. Pinomi, Official Representative of the Ministry of Tourism in Australia.

Pacific Blue operates a twice weekly service out of Sydney to Nuku’alofa, the capital of this independent nation of 100,000 people.  Flying time is four hours.

Tonga’s abundant natural attractions are major lures including the lush rainforest and dramatic cliffs on the tiny island of ‘Eua.  Semi wild horses roam through the rainforest while rare red shining parrots fly over the jungle.

A “tonga – a backpacker’s paradise” brochure is available from the representative office with more information available on the website www.tongaholiday.com

[Pictured below: Sione Pinomi wants to meet with more travel agents to update them about new tourism developments in Tonga.]

The series of country presentations made at the Destination South Pacific Seminar support a free online training programme available to travel agents in Australia and New Zealand.

This “one-stop shop modular e-learning tool that makes it easier for travel industry personnel to boost their knowledge of the South Pacific” has proven to be of interest to agents, tour operators and even wholesalers wishing to gain a broader knowledge of the 16 member countries of the South Pacific said Ruth Choulai, Coordinator, Tourism Promotion and Development, Pacific Islands Trade and Investment Commission.

The South Pacific is Australia’s “big backyard” and there are many differences in the various island nations.  This free on-line training programme provides comprehensive knowledge of the foremost destinations and products in the South Pacific, she said.

Topics covered range from key tourism highlights and an accommodation overview of each destination to natural attractions and cultural events.  

Registration can be done online at south-pacific.travel/specialist.  Upon passing tests that follow each country module participants are rewarded with a South Pacific Travel Specialist certificate.

We intend to continue the learning process with “mini seminars for agents organised in tandem with private sector partners” and anticipate a higher level of promotion in Australia.  We really want Australians to get to know their neighbours, she said.

Further details can be obtained from Ruth Choulai in the Sydney PITIC office, tel (02) 9290 2133.

Exclusive Report by Thomas E. King, TravelMole’s Travel and Lifestyle Editor