Agents who deal with group travel of various sorts were the target audience of a joint destination Pacific event at Villa Maria Estate near Auckland Airport mid October.

Organiser Faye Spooner says Meet the Pacific was aimed at incentive, meeting and conference organisers but beyond that had appeal to wedding planners and organisers of sports and educational tours, as well as travel agents who send inter-generational and other family groups to the Pacific. While most of the ‘buyers’ were from Auckland, agents also came from Wellington, Christchurch, New Plymouth and Rotorua.

Turama Pacific Travel Group has launched a Premium Collection, highlighting high end product and new exclusive travel experiences.
Robert Skews, managing director, says the collection reintroduces The Coral Route Experience for modern day travellers, utilising Air Rarotonga’s Pacific private jet.

Three or four-day bike tours around Upolu and Savaii are growing in popularity and make an excellent add on for agents to sell with a hotel stay, according to Ross and Frances Bidmead, owner operators of Outdoor Samoa.
The company started 10 years ago, exclusively offering tours around Savaii (supported largely by school groups) but now has expanded into kayaks, bike hire and day tours, and four-day, three-night ‘taster tours’ on Upolu as well.

Aga Reef Resort is offering frontline consultants ( and a companion) a two night self famil deal of WST$530 advises Eye 4 Travel.

Sinalei Reef Resort & Spa, Samoa’s adults only eco resort, has appointed two new chefs to enhance the food offering at its two onsite eateries.