Friday, 2nd November 2007

Bula! (Greetings) and welcome to the Fiji me MICE electronic newsletter. Produced and distributed by the Fiji Islands Visitors Bureau, the Fiji me MICE newsletter provides an up to date summary of the latest developments in Fiji’s conference and incentive market on a bi-monthly basis.

FIJI ME MICE BROCHURE
The Fiji Visitors Bureau in conjunction with the Conference and Incentive Advisory Group (CIAG) is currently compiling a brochure with 17 inserts from participating properties, which will be used to promote Fiji as a conference and incentive destination in all key source markets. For more information, please contact Marketing Officer, Ms Sera Vada on svada@fijifvb.gov.fj

FIJI C&I EVENING FUNCTION – NOVEMEBER 20TH, 2007, AUCKLAND
The Fiji Visitors Bureau, Starwood Hotels and participating properties are organizing a Fiji evening function to be held at Alinghi Venue, Auckland on November 20th 2007. The participants include Blue Lagoon Cruises, Warwick Fiji/Naviti Resort, Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa, Tanoa International Hotel, Air Pacific, Sonaisali Island Resort, Rosie DMC, Pacific Destinationz, Sheraton & Westin Resorts Fiji, Shangri-la’s Fijian Resort, Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji, Radisson Fiji Resort, ATS Pacific and South Sea Cruises. The programme for the evening will include a DVD presentation and also the launch of a C&I booklet to the NZ PCOs showcasing all participating products. For more information, please contact Ms Tricia Cornelius on tricia.cornelius@starwoodhotels.com

HOBIE CAT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
ATS Pacific, the inbound travel agent has always promoted sports events in Fiji and 2007 was no different – with the Hobie Cat World Champs that took two years of preparation and planning. The sailing competition which had three categories – Youth, Open and Masters attracted 29 teams and 500 international visitors to the capital Suva for the 12 days and there were many who extended their stay to experience Fiji’s island resorts.

“Sports tourism is a great niche market for Fiji”, says Kiji Niurou from ATS Pacific, “the Fijians are naturally sporting people and love competition. Our great climate, friendly people and beautiful country create a winning combination”.

For more information on the Hobie Cat World Championships, please contact ATS Pacific C & I Groups Manager, Ms Sally Cooper on sally@atspacific.com.fj

400 BOLLYWOOD STARS

On Wednesday, the 19th September 2007, ATS Pacific ran one of their popular Bollywood parties at the Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa for 390 New Zealand business tourists.

The colourful night show cased the fun, colour and spice of the Indian culture here in Fiji. The CEO stated that he wanted his New Zealand based business colleagues to experience something that was different from their day to day routines. Each of the New Zealand guests were dressed from head to toe in traditional Indian attire. They feasted on Indian food and watched live Indian dance performances before dancing the night away to popular music performed by Black Rose.

The New Zealand-based event organizer who worked with ATS Pacific thought the entire conference was fantastic and believes that as these guest return to New Zealand and share their positive experiences with family and friends, it can only be good for Fiji tourism.

For more information, please contact ATS Pacific C & I Groups Manager, Ms Sally Cooper on sally@atspacific.com.fj

ANOTHER HAPPY CUSTOMER AT SOFITEL FIJI RESORT & SPA

“Wow – what a fabulous venue and what a conference we had during the first week of October 2007. Your arrangements with your team members and all your staff right throughout the Resort set the scene for an outstanding Conference – for which we would have no hesitation in recommending your wonderful Resort to others for their conference. All your staff at the Sofitel Fiji resort made our stay and our Conference a great place to be at. Please pass on our sincere thanks to the management team and all the Sofitel staff for their contribution to a wonderful AH Beard and Forty Winks Conference” Roger Wilson – General Manager For more information, please contact Director of Conference and Incentive Ms Natalie Brumniach on Natalie.brumniach@sofitelfiji.com

BAREFOOT CONFERENCES, MEETINGS AND INCENTIVES
Fiji’s boutique island cruise specialist Blue Lagoon Cruises provides a very different alternative with its extremely relaxed and highly informal ‘barefoot’ approach to meetings, incentives and special events. The ‘barefoot’ formula has proved a great success to date as Blue Lagoon Cruises’ ever-growing, extremely diverse list of clients can attest to. Past clients include Fuji Xerox, Arnotts, Fosters, Ericcson, Honda, Mobil Oil, DreamWorks, Coors and The Variety Club of Queensland. Blue Lagoon Cruises offers extremely attractive rates whether planning a conference, business event, a staff incentive or a group get together. Blue Lagoon Cruises can also assist with a whole host of extras and special events ranging from executive welcomes, company branding, tailored menus etc, as well as general assistance with overall planning. For more information, please contact Blue Lagoon Cruises on sales@blc.com.fj or visit website: www.bluelagooncruises.com

PACIFC DESTINATIONZ WEBSITE CONTINUES TO BE A HIT
Pacific Destinationz DMC planning website, www.dmcpacific.com continues to receive great feedback from PCOs. The website is effective and informative when drafting proposals for clients, especially when there is a tight deadline to a particular enquiry. This website was developed to assist PCOs with planning of a proposed Fiji conference or incentive programme. For more information on becoming a partner user, please contact tours@pdfj.com.fj and Pacific Destinationz would be delighted to provide you with a password and username for entry into the website.

NEW DEVELOPMENTS FOR TANOA
Tanoa International Hotel has completed refurbishments of its 148 rooms and convention centre. Tanoa Waterfront in Lautoka has also opened its new wing, consisting of 26 Executive rooms and a pool. They also have a new hotel manager, Mr Narend Kumar who replaces Ashwin Prasad who will be migrating to Melbourne. The Tanoa Hotels Group hosted a successful annual corporate cocktail, themed Shipwreck on October 24th in Suva. For more information, please contact Hotel manager, Mr Jong Cataylo on eam@tanoahotels.com.fj

A TRULY REWARDING ESCAPE
Recently, I had a birthday looming, I hate birthdays! I become reclusive and avoid people and tend to adopt a grumpy disposition for a few days. This year as the doom approached, my very smart husband decided to whisk me away. We travelled out to the Mamanuca Islands by fast cat and on this mirror calm morning with Café Del Mar in the ipod and a pretty good flat white in hand, things were already looking up. Our destination Likuliku, the newest resort in the Mamanuca group with over water bungalows, adults only and out look over a secluded private azure bay, things were really looking good. Our arrival was heralded by serenaders with authentic enthusiasm and a fabulous iced tea before being led to our own private sanctuary complete with dunk pool and cabana. The room was fabulous, the azure sea and white sand made the dream image of Fiji a reality but the highlight was the food. The food was absolutely fantastic! I managed three courses at breakfast, lunch and dinner and just had to have wine to accompany such flavours.

Likuliku is a rewarding retreat. It has filled a much needed gap in the market here in Fiji and for a resort that is so new, they really have it together. I would truly recommend Likuliku for your highest achievers. It certainly beat the birthday blues and I think I might book in now for next year! For more information, please contact Director of Sales and Marketing, Ms Samantha Muspratt on dos@ahuraresorts.com

INCREASING POPULARITY FOR SOUTH SEA CRUISES
South Sea Island, Fiji’s number one day trip destination, has recently had a new wooden decking added to the pool area and a complete re-thatching of the main bure, in traditional Fijian style. The Seaspray is also proving extremely popular with groups. This sailing vessel of TV fame departs each day with maximum numbers. A visit to Modriki, made famous after the filming of the classic Tom Hanks film, Castaway, is proving to be a huge hit with groups from all over the world. For more information, please contact Sales Manager, Mr Ross Gallagher on ross@mth.co.nz

AIR PACIFIC SUPPORTS
CONFERENCE & INCENTIVE MARKET
Air Pacific, Fiji’s International Airline provides approximately two thirds of the total airline capacity to and from Fiji, operating to 17 cities in 11 countries. The Conference and Incentive segment is a key segment for the national carrier with tremendous growth potential, particularly from the key source markets of Australia, New Zealand and North America. Air Pacific prides itself on the hospitality that Fiji is renowned for and will give customers the “Fiji Conference & Incentive experience” starts the moment they step on board. The airline’s domestic subsidiary, Pacific Sun further enhances the Fiji experience with pre and post options to untouched parts of Fiji’s exotic islands. For more information on special services offered for conference and incentive groups, please visit www.airpacific.com

Sonaisali Island Resort is ideally located in the warm tropical waters of the South pacific and will afford your group an intimate, rewarding and relaxing experience in stark contrast with the hectic demands of modern living. Located only 25 minutes from Nadi International Airport and 10km from Nadi town. The 123 bedroom-resort is situated on its own 105 acre private island, just 300 metres from the mainland. Free boat transfers are pvoided 24 hours a day.

Refresh, invigorate and stimulate enhanced levels of communication and achievement in the resort’s unique island setting. Sonaisali has excellent conference facilities with both indoor and outdoor event venues, superior quality accomodation, culinary experience and attention to detail. It is also a multi award winning resort including Fiji Excellence in Tourism Award for Best deluxe accommodation in 2001 and 2006 and the only officially rated 4 ½ star island resort in Fiji.

For further information, please contact Sales and Marketing manager, Ms Barbara Scott on sales@sonaisali.com

SHERATON FIJI RESORT TO SET
NEW STANDARDS IN CONFERENCE MARKET
Starwood Hotels & Resorts has announced that Sheraton Fiji Resort will undergo a refurbishment in 2008 that will set new standards in family and conference resort choices in Fiji. The extensive US$22 million refurbishment is a major investment for one of the most renowned and best positioned resorts in Fiji. The refurbishment will encompass all areas of the resort from the lobby to the pool, recreational facilities and spacious guest rooms and suites, creating a new look for one of Fiji’s favourite resorts.

The closure date will be 1st May 2008 and reopening on the 1st November 2008. This decision was made to allow six full months notice to travel partners and guests and now includes the Resort staying open during the month of April 2008 and allowing adequate time for the planning and design which are well underway. For more information, please contact Director of Sales, Ms Regina Wilson on Regina.Wilson@sheraton.com