Petero Manufolau is the new chief executive officer at Tourism Authority of Kiribati.

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.

New openings, expansions and refurbishments were announced by GLP Hotels and Promenade Tours to a select group of trade personnel in Auckland this week.
Armelle Tahi, managing director of the companies, says construction has commenced on the Hilton Wadra Bay on Lifou. The new hotel, which will feature 50 villas and rooms on or close to the beachfront, is due for completion at the end of 2021.

Samoa has had a number of ‘game changing’ developments that have given the country’s tourism a boost and justified predictions of 7% annual growth in the near future, says Leituala Joe Chan Ting, sales and marketing manager with the Samoa Tourism Authority.

Melanie Nicol has been appointed sales manager New Zealand for Matamanoa Island, Fiji commencing in May.

A significant revamp to samoa.travel is set to be revealed late July, with the destination’s new agents specialist programme to be officially launched two or three months later.

Why ‘fly and flop’ when you can ‘fly and rejuvenate’? Tourism Fiji is asking travel agents.

Saletoga Sands Resort in Samoa will be adding an adults-only area due to demand from that sector, with construction starting later this year. Owner Gavin Brightwell says the resort has always been family friendly and will keep that side of the business. ‘The family market has made this resort successful,’ he says. However, the dedicated adults area, with approximately 18 newbuild rooms, will add a new aspect to the property. ‘They will all have sea views and there will be a grove of coconut trees with a wide pathway. ‘We are just keeping up with trends, so couples can enjoy all the facilities of Saletoga but also have a quieter area to themselves.’

Thirty eight agents from around New Zealand returned from Fiji yesterday as Tourism Fiji’s Matai conference and famils came to an end.

Having direct flights between Honiara and Auckland would be a logical next step for the Solomon Islands when it comes to air connections, according to the head of the destination’s tourism office.

Blue Lagoon Cruises’ ship, the M.V. Fiji Princess, sailed from Port Denarau late last week with an entirely new look following an extensive three-week refurbishment.  
Improvements include new contemporary deck furniture, high-quality tiled flooring and refreshed cabinetry and joinery in public areas and more items added to the boutique.
The 34 Hibiscus and Orchid cabins on board Fiji Princess have also had a makeover, with new bed runners, pillow and ottoman covers, lampshades and air-conditioning units.

Fiji Airways has launched The Great Companion Getaway, a two for one deal being sold through to 19 January.

Soft adventure will be New Caledonia Tourism’s key message to Kiwis next year as the NTO builds on the 60% visitor growth it has seen out of this country over the past two to three years.
‘When I started in this role in 2015, about 6000 Kiwis travelled to New Caledonia,’ says Sally Pepermans, New Caledonia’s New Zealand representative. ‘In 2017 we hit 10,000 and 2018 is looking strong.

One of Denarau, Fiji’s most popular resorts is having a major facelift that will see enhancements to its luxury high end product, a dedicated Fiji Airways check in lounge, and a new child friendly area.
Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa will have a F$45m refurbishment, with work starting next week and expected to be complete by the end of 2019.

Air Tahiti Nui’s inaugural Tahitian Dreamliner touched down in Auckland yesterday on the cusp of the airline’s 20th birthday celebrations.
President of French Polynesia, Edouard Fritch welcomed a delegation of Pacific ministers at a formal ceremony at Auckland Airport yesterday, saying the inaugural flight from Tahiti to New Zealand is a stepping

Destination Fiji is expanding its services to work with the travel trade beyond its core meetings, incentives, conference and weddings business.

Malamala Beach Club is ramping up its positioning to the trade and consumers as a wedding destination in Fiji with the launch of its new Marry Me at Malamala brochure.

A recent educational that combined Fiji with Club Med Bintan Island (just off Singapore) was designed to showcase Fiji Airways’ wider network beyond Fiji.

Awesome Adventures Fiji has launched three new short tours ideal for travellers basing themselves on the mainland as part of its new programme for 2019-2020.

The Islander Hotel, Rarotonga, has added an extra weekly Island Night. From 6 October the Islander Hotel will feature two weekly Island Nights, Tuesday & Saturdays.

Stevensons @ Manase in Samoa advise that its swimming pool will be closed 4 – 24 February 2019 inclusive to replace damaged tiles of the pool.

The pool closure has been scheduled to coincide with the low season. Whilst there will be onsite work during this time from Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm, Stevensons @ Manase envisages that after the existing tiles are removed (which should take approximately three days) there will be minimal noise and impact. Agents are reminded over this time that Stevensons has a 30% off special for stays of three nights or more and that all stays include daily continental breakfast and complimentary use of kayaks and paddleboards. Contact mike@eye4travel.co.nz

South Sea Cruises has new accommodation options for overnight guests on South Sea Island – three beachfront bures with modern decor, outdoor bathrooms, ceiling fans and patios.

Two new resorts on Vanuatu’s Tanna and Santo islands were showcased at the recent Tok Tok trade event in Port Vila.

The Vanuatu Bucket List travel app was introduced at Tok Tok recently, and it features an offline capability for locations without internet.

APX ambassadors returned from Niue on Saturday after four days of adventure, relaxation and sun at the Scenic Matavai Resort in Niue.

New Zealand and Australian travellers could be missing out on a back yard destination unlike anywhere else in the world, according to new Air Vanuatu chief executive officer, Derek Nice, who attended his first Tok Tok last week after being in the job just eight weeks.

Port Vila’s Bauerfield Airport runway upgrade is due for completion early next year, and when it is, the welcome mat will be rolled out to Air New Zealand to resume services.

Long term goals and collaboration were evident to buyers in Port Vila last week when tourism operators got behind Vanuatu Tourism Office’s Tok Tok 2018.

Eight new operators were showcased at Vanuatu’s 16th Tok Tok that wrapped up last week.

Yoga on a stand up paddle board, getting dirty on a Raro Buggy Tour, and travelling around restaurants by tuk tuk were just a few of the activities promoted to travel agents and corporate meeting and incentive organisers at the Love a Little Raro / Aitutaki evening in Auckland this week.

Captain Cook Cruises Fiji has new 2019 and 2020 departure dates for its 11-night Lau & Kadavu Discovery Cruise onboard small ship MV Reef Endeavour.

Captain Cook Cruises Fiji has released the 2019 and 2020 departure dates for its two Northern Fiji seven-night Discovery cruises - The Four Cultures Discovery Cruise and Colonial Fiji Discovery Cruise, onboard small ship MV Reef Endeavour.

Niche wholesalers were introduced to the new marketing officer for the New Zealand market when Tourism Solomons hosted lunch at Lula’s in Auckland yesterday.

Heralding a long-awaited return to dedicated Solomon Islands small ship cruise programmes, Solomon Islands Discovery Cruises (SIDC) has announced its plans to operate six adventure itineraries in 2018-2019.

The new side of Samoa has been showcased to the trade this week as the country’s tourism roadshow has made its way around four centres in the North Island.

World Resorts of Distinction has a limited-time offer at one of its boutique Fijian resorts, Toberua Island Resort.

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

Encourage clients to book their Cook Islands’ holidays well in advance.

As part of the launch of its new ‘Solomon Is.’ re-branding initiative, Tourism Solomons is offering travel agents a chance to win a $100 pre-paid Visa card and two $50 pre-paid Visa cards.

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.

Treasure Island is offering an agent self famil – stay three nights for FJ$399 between 15 October to 17 November 2018, 2 December to 23 December 2018 or 7 January to 31 March 2019.

Bernard Garo of Ginger Beach Retreat is one of a growing number of operators embracing Solomon Islands’ tourism potential.

Excite Holidays has announced the launch of its latest campaign ‘The Ultimate Guide to New Caledonia’, in conjunction with New Caledonia Tourism.

Tourism Solomons CEO, Josefa ‘Jo’ Tuamoto has applauded the Solomon Islands Ministry of Culture & Tourism’s move to introduce a Minimum Standards and Classication for Tourism Accommodation programme.

Agents can expect to connect with an increased number of tour operators and experience providers when the destination hits the road around New Zealand next month.

Air Tahiti Nui has added a fleet of four helicopters to its air operations in Tahiti to fill a void for private transfers, high end experiences and scenic flights.

Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort is offering clients a ‘dream destination wedding’ from $6950.

A small group of agents spent five nights on a famil in New Caledonia early this month.

The upgrading of Munda Airport to cater for international flights, and the laying of an undersea communications cable are critical items on the agenda for the Solomon Islands Government.