FTE EDITION 2022
FIJIAN TOURISM EXPO 2022 THE TRAVEL TRADE RECONNECTS & REDISCOVERS
PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS
EVENT GALLERY
UPDATES FROM OPERATORS ACROSS THE FIJI ISLANDS
PEOPLE PICS FROM A FANTASTIC THREE DAY EVENT
Fiji springs back to life. It was two years since the travel trade came together for the Fijian Tourism Expo. There has been a lot of water under the bridge since then, but the exhibiting companies, international travel and tourism buyers and media from New Zealand, Australia and North America descended on Sheraton Fiji Golf and Beach Resort on Denarau Island with the same level of enthusiasm as always! The expo began on a Wednesday night with a variety of welcoming speeches from local tourism leaders and dignitaries. A positive message passed on by all, along with sober reminders of how severe the impact of COVID has been on local communities. The next two days saw a long list of meetings and social functions, with trade and media learning the latest insights and updates from operators across Fiji. In many cases, properties have used the downtime over the last two years to refurbish and refresh, which means visitors can look forward to some fabulous changes when they come back. To be sure, Fiji is springing back to life, particularly the bigger operators such as the Marriot, Sheraton and Hilton. Of course, there is still some way to go with Tourism Fiji, CEO Brent Hill pointing out that visitors are primarily coming from three markets (Australia, New Zealand and USA). All in all, the Fijian Tourism Expo reminded us of all the things we love about this destination and we have no doubt visitors will keep coming back. BULA!
John Nickel and Sheryn Ambler – Fiji Airways
Rahul Singh and Ema Leware Radisson Blu Resort Fiji
James Leslie Air NZ, Ruzanne Keresome South Sea Cruises, Andy Corson Mantaray Island Resort
Tom Svensen Tourism Fiji, Shelley Gutry Our Pacific
Gordon Bayne Showponi, Loretta Ooms South Sea Cruises
James McCann Yasawa Island Resort and Eroni Puamau Rosie Holidays
Ralden Paul Santos - Mixologist!
Sandi Riley Volivoli Beach Resort and James Leslie Air New Zealand
TOURISM FIJI LAUNCHES NEW AGENT TRAINING PROGRAMME Matai 2.0 - travel agents upskill via refreshed online training programme. As we move into a new travel era, where consumers demand more certainty and greater peace of mind around their travel bookings - it's even more important that agents can offer current, in-depth destination knowledge and advice. Against this backdrop, Tourism Fiji has refreshed their online training resource - Matai 2.0. The new training programme has been designed to be more interactive and visually stimulating, with a better user interface experience for enhanced functionality. There will be regularly added courses and modules that will give tips for selling Fiji, including valuable promotional tips - such as how agents can maximise their own social media channels to engage more customers.
The new Matai 2.0 programme will feature: Creative interactive maps New fact sheets Product videos Rewards and benefits - airline benefits / exclusive invites / places on famil trips / invitations to marketing activities and events. Ongoing learning with a new three-tier system. The new three-tier system means training and learning won’t stop once agents have become a Fiji Matai Specialist, with agents now having the ability to reach SILVER and GOLD levels, Unlocking additional benefits as they go through the tiers.
UPSKILL NOW WITH MATAI 2.0
www.specialist.fiji.travel
PRODUCT UPDATES
SEVENTH HEAVEN. A magical Mamanuca day-trip. Floating in the clear blue Mamanuca waters, an easy boat ride from Port Denarau, Seventh Heaven is high on the list of Fiji's most exciting day trips. The set-up includes two large decks of sun loungers, plus a bar and restaurant, keeping visitors refreshed all day! When they're not putting their feet up, visitors can
take a plunge off the pontoon and enjoy a relaxing swim or snorkel. If there's a special occasion, Seventh Heaven is also a great spot for groups to gather think birthdays, hen/stag parties and corporate entertaining. Seventh Heaven is also family-friendly, which means kids will be in their element too!
www.seventhheavenfiji.com
BULA COFFEE. Homegrown goodness. We love hearing about businesses that benefit local South Pacific communities - and Bula Coffee is one of them. Bula Coffee is Fiji's only 100% Fiji-grown coffee company and supports some of Fiji's remotest villages by buying wild coffee directly from the people who picked it. The coffee is processed, roasted and packaged in Mataqe Sigatoka and then sent around the world for everyone to enjoy. Launched in 2011, Bula Coffee is a bean-to-cup coffee enterprise that helps provide local people with a sustainable livelihood. Bula has pioneered the setup and promotion of the coffee industry in Fiji, and is the only harvester and processor of wild Fijian coffee. Visitors who want a first-hand experience of the operation can take a fascinating guided tour around Bula Coffee HQ and see how they produce their amazing brew.
www.bulacoffee.co
SHERATON FIJI GOLF & BEACH RESORT Multi-million dollar refurbishement on show. As host venue of the Fiji Tourism Expo, Sheraton Fiji Golf and Beach Resort was in the perfect position to showcase its major refurbishment to event attendees.
The food and beverage offer has also been transformed with three impressive new dining venues - Tatavu Grill and Bar, Island 619 and 28 Grams.
And what an impressive refurbishment it was!
Tatavu features Fiji's first wood-fired open flame grill. Island 619 is a seafood lover's dream. And 28 grams is a chic cafe space where the coffee is superb.
The five-star resort, which re-opened in March, has undergone a top-to-bottom makeover that totalled a considerable $FJ73 million. Where to start! The rooms were completely refreshed and renovated, featuring modern, sophisticated interior design and all the mod cons you could hope for. They really are lovely and light - the type of rooms that put you at ease when you walk in.
VISIT THE WEBSITE
On top of that, the resort's own Denarau Farm is a 4hectare oasis of fresh produce that provides guests with a genuine paddock-to-plate experience. Plus guests can actually take a tour of the farm too. All-in-all, the major transformation has cemented Sheraton Fiji Golf and Beach Resort as one of the premium resorts on the mainland. And with five restaurants, five bars, four swimming pools, an 18-hole golf course, a fitness centre, synthetic and grass tennis courts, a spa and a beach - guests will definitely be spoilt for choice.
RADISSON BLU RESORT Byblos - A taste of the Mediterranean As any traveller will tell you, food can either make or break a holiday experience. This can be a challenge for guests at larger resorts - where they often stick to tried and true menus designed to satisfy the majority of guests. It was refreshing to see Radisson Blu Resort Denarau think outside this square! Their new restaurant Byblos is a marvellous Lebaneseinspired eatery - think delicious and nutritious options with fresh cold and hot plates in the middle eastern custom of Mezze (which involves sharing generous portions of appetisers among family and friends). Tastes like Lebanese Tabbouleh, hummus, fresh saj bread, Mashawi (charcoal grill) and the famous baklava and many other sweet delights will have you coming back for more. Plus it's a healthy option too. To top it off, Byblos boasts one of Denarau's most picturesque waterfront locations.
www.facebook.com/Byblosfiji
DUAVATA SUSTAINABLE TOURISM COLLECTIVE Pushing for a positive impact. Generating income from tourism is all about striking the right balance. Too much activity can quickly damage the social and environmental fabric of local communities. But when done well, and in the right amount, it can have positive long-term benefits. This is where the Duavata Sustainable Tourism Collective come in. The group of fifteen like-minded Fijian tourism operators believe that tourism can play a greater role in enhancing cultural heritage, reviving traditional knowledge and regenerating the environment. They champion the connection between visitors and communities, environmental, cultural and historical experiences. Member companies include Rainforest Eco Lodge, Rivers Fiji, Talanoa Treks, Namosi Eco Retreat, Barefoot Manta, Leleuvia, Waitika Farm, KokoMana, Ocean Ventures, Nukubati, Great Sea Reef Divers, Uprising, Dolphin Watch, Drua Experience and Lawaki Beach House. Well done to all.
www.duavatasustainabletourism.org
Getting from A to B has never been better.
Welcome to Fiji's ultimate transfer machine. Quite simply, Pacific Island Air's Eurocopter EC130 provides discerning visitors with the fastest, most comfortable, most convenient way to transfer across Fiji. This is a world-class, high-performance machine specifically designed for touring. Large windows provide fantastic allaround viewing. And they are the only fully-air conditioned helicopters flying in Fiji, which means passengers will enjoy the ride on even the hottest tropical days. Pacific Island Air has two Eurocopter EC130's operating permanently in Fiji. If you have clients wanting the ultimate transfer, please book in advance to ensure we can meet their schedule.
EUROCOPTER - EC130 AIR-CONDITIONED LUXURY 6 PASSENGERS / 4 WINDOW SEATS
+67 9 672 5644
reservations@pacificislandair.com www.pacificislandair.com
SOFITEL FIJI RESORT & SPA. $50m renovation revitalises resort. The Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa has undergone a $50 million dollar renovation with a vision of making it one of the leading hotels on the Fiji mainland. The results are impressive!
On top of all these additions, the resort has a new hair and nail salon within the day spa - perfect for all your essential needs while on holiday! And it will no doubt be a favourite with wedding parties.
A number of new and exciting elements include - a new interactive buffet restaurant with six live kitchens (there's something for everyone). Suka Rum Bar on the beach is a new, fine dining poolside adults-only experience at Waitui. And the kids don't miss out either - the new Kids Beach Club is designed for maximum fun and the impressive teenage zone is fitted out with arcade-style games and Playstations!
The resort's little extras make a difference too - like the Fiji Airways Resort check-in which makes travelling from the Sofitel a breeze. So much excitement for one resort - the revitalised Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa is definitely worth a visit.
www.sofitel-fiji.com
YASAWA ISAND RESORT New managers make their mark. Kerry and Mark Morton are the new General Managers of the stunning Yasawa Island Resort. Originally from Australia, Kerry and Mark have extensive management experience in Australia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. Having spent the last decade in South East Asia, Kerry and Mark are loving working at Yasawa Island Resort. Both agree that, although the resort and its location are magnificent - "it is the pleasure of working with the local staff and the villages that make every day at Yasawa Island Resort such a joy!" We wish them all the best in their new role.
www.yasawa.com
VOMO ISLAND Taleitaki premium villa open. VOMO has long been at the forefront of Fiji's premium resort category. And one feature that sets it apart is the added option of its stand-alone luxury residences. It's 'money is no object' territory, but for those who have the budget - they offer a truly remarkable stay. VOMO's latest addition is the villa named Taleitaki (which translates as Precious Place). It's a fourbedroom, six-bathroom residence that offers every amenity imaginable - including a home theatre. Another luxury residence called The reef House will also open later this year.
Sunday Sessions Culinary Day Trip. Billed as Fiji's finest luxury culinary day trip, Sunday Sessions gives visitors the chance to indulge in VOMO life for a day. It goes like this - ‘out of this world’ culinary delights at The Rocks (adults-only chill zone), chef’s special grazing menu, unlimited sparkling and still waters/soft drinks. Cocktail and all-day ‘happy hour’ specials, poolside cabanas and sunloungers, live music or ocean activities such as snorkelling, SUP and kayaking. Sunday Sessions is available every Sunday from April to December.
www.vomofiji.com
MANTARAY ISLAND RESORT Get back to nature. One of Fiji's most memorable ocean experiences is snorkelling with the Yasawa's graceful Manta Rays. And as the name suggests, Mantaray Island Resort is the perfect place to base yourself. Traditionally a food source, the area had tabua placed on it so Manta Ray are now protected. Tui Naviti, the Chief of the Naviti group, worked with the Department of Fisheries to formally gazette the Mantaray Channel as a marine reserve, this also included a number of other significant reefs, specifically the house reef at Mantaray Island Resort which is regarded as one of Fiji's best. In just two generations Manta Ray have gone from being a food source, to a source of providing food!
www.mantarayisland.com
Captain Cook Cruises. Putting the ocean first. Over the past two years, Captian Cook Cruises have been focused on sustainability and ensuring that the beautiful islands of Fiji and the Pacific Ocean are in pristine condition for future generations. With its team of Marine Biologists and Ocean Ambassador programmes, Captain Cook Cruises have been pioneering conservation and marine science activities and education in Fiji through their 3, 4, 7 and 11-night cruises aboard Reef Endeavour and Day Cruises to Tivua Island.
Tivua is surrounded by 500 acres of coral reef. Both Captain Cook’s overnight, expedition-style, small ship, as well as their tall ship, day-sail Tivua Island. Their Citizen Science projects for each cruise give passengers access to observations of species that have been made in each location by using iNaturalist. They even have the opportunity to upload their own observations and possibly discover a new species as a result. Great stuff Captain Cook Cruises, keep up the good work!
Coral planting continues to grow at their exclusive Tivua Island where passengers can take part in the ‘Buy a Coral Build a Reef’ programme.
SIX SENSES RESORT FIJI Meet the master of wellness. Six Senses Resort Fiji is renowned as a place to rest and rejuvenate. And a visit to Dr Aju, the resort's in-house wellness guru is one of the highlights. Dr Aju is an Ayurvedic health and wellness consultant from Kerala (India) - the home of Ayurveda practice. He has nearly a decade of experience in supporting people in their wellness journey, using an authentic, holistic approach combining modern techniques with traditional knowledge. Dr Aju has a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) from Kerala and is also a certified yoga teacher. If you're lucky enough to stay at Six Senses, make sure you book a revitalising consultation.
www.sixsenses.com/en/resorts/fiji
www.captaincookcruisesfiji.com
Sabre by South Sea Sailing. Step on board 78 feet of fun! In October last year, South Sea Sailing, a brand under South Sea Cruises, welcomed the all-new 78-foot catamaran, Sabre. An impressive sight indeed, the purpose-built day trip sailing catamaran was engineered by Oceania Voyager in Sri Lanka. Now at home at Port Denarau, Sabre provides visitors to Fiji with a unique day trip experience, exploring the beautiful Mamanuca Islands on-board a vessel designed for maximum fun! Sabre departs Port Denarau at 9.45am and returns at 4.45pm. While the exact daily itinerary is determined by marine conditions, along the way there are numerous stops to snorkel, swim and explore.
FIJI AIRWAYS New Adelaide-Nadi route kicks off. One of the highlight announcements at FTE came from Andre Viljoen, Managing Director and CEO of Fiji Airways, breaking the news that the airline would add Adelaide as its fourth Australian leg (flying the route twice weekly on Mondays and Thursdays). Fiji has traditionally been a popular destination with South Australians, which made this great news for travellers in the region. The addition of a new route also enables the airline to diversify its Australian market, alongside the existing Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne routes. Great stuff Fiji Airways!
www.fijiairways.com
Large shaded areas and a variety of seating options make sailing comfortable for all - and access in and out of the water is a breeze too - with drop-down steps and a slide! What about food and drink you ask? It's all taken care of, with a gourmet morning tea and buffet lunch included - and complimentary local beer and selected white wines served from lunchtime for 2 hours. Plus the fully licensed bar is open all day - for those who have worked up a thirst (charged on consumption). All we can say is lock this day trip in!
www.southseasailingfiji.com
Plantation Island Resort. Refreshed and ready to go. In early April, Plantation Island Resort re-opened its doors to new and returning guests who were greeted by new gardening and landscaping, and behind the scenes, a comprehensive maintenance programme. In June 2022, a F$1.2m renovation of the popular Ol Copra Buffet Restaurant was also completed - adding more light and space, plus a new bar and buffet stations. On top of that, the resort will open a brandnew Kids Club. This F$1.6 million project will provide children with an interactive fun space where they can explore and enjoy endless adventures.
www.plantationisland.com
VOU FIJI. Experience Fiji through dance. Based in Denarau, VOU Fiji brings the medium of live dance to visitors. They have three show experiences - the Island Adventurers Kids Show which is a fun theatrical interactive experience for children 3 to 12 years. Cannibals Chase is a horror-themed nighttime tour based on Fiji's old myths and legends - it's ideal forthrill-seekers! VOU Fiji's signature experience is Fiji Untold, a show that takes you on a captivating journey into Fiji's cultural past, told through a twist of traditional and contemporary dance. On top of that, Coral Coast visitors can see VOU Fiji at the Shangri-La's Fijian Resort & Spa - their Sacred Flame Show is a Fijian love story of a village gifted with a sacred flame that is said to hold magical powers!
www.voufiji.com
It will be suitable for kids up to 13 years, there is a dedicated zone for toddlers, a reading area, art and crafts area, cooking area and media room. In short, children can be entertained throughout the day! And it includes complimentary meals on the kids eat free special. Also keep in mind that pre-COVID, the resort had already undergone substantial refurbishment - the new Tavola restaurant, pool and Ocean View Hotel Rooms upgrades were completed at the end of 2019.
CASTAWAY ISLAND. Lifting the roof. As part of a resort-wide renovation programme, Castaway Island will be undergoing a bure rectification programme - essentially removing and then re-installing the roof of each bure. The programme kicked off early June and will run through to early February 2023. With guest comfort top of mind, resort management has promised that
that noise buffers will be in place to minimise any inconvenience. As the resort enters a very busy second half of the year, the resort is also requesting all guests to provide proof of negative RAT within 72hrs prior to arrival on the island - to help ensure the safety of all guests.
www.castawayfiji.com
TOKORIKI ISLAND RESORT Every detail taken care of. We had the pleasure of staying at Tokoriki Island Resort some years ago, and we still remember it as one of our most enjoyable trips. The location speaks for itself - a pristine waterfront location on the far side of the Mamanucas. The resort facilities deliver on its luxury billing - the fitout is immaculate and the lush grounds are manicured to perfection. But it's the small details that Tokoriki Island Resort gets right And they leave the biggest impression. The staff somehow manage to know each guest by first name, and they are experts at anticipating your every need. Needless to say, it's great to have the resort back open - and once again - they've added a special touch to each stay. All guests enjoy complimentary cocktail tasting accompanied with delicious canapes created by their talented team of chefs every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at the Cocktail Bar from 5.30pm-6pm. Delicious bliss!
www.tokoriki.com
MATANIVUSI BEACH ECO RESORT Small, sustainable, serene. If you're looking for a small, sustainable resort experience, head to the heart of the Coral Coast and you'll discover Matanivusi Beach Eco Resort. Catering to 24 guests, it's a great place for groups to come and book out the whole resort with family and friends. With that in mind, it's also the perfect spot for intimate weddings – under the 350-year-old ‘granddaddy’ (banyan) tree or on the beach. Special birthday groups and celebrations are also popular - with groups creating their own fun themes for their party day! Although the resort has traditionally concentrated on a surfing audience - there are some world-class (uncrowded) breaks nearby - non-surfers love the resort just as much as there is something for everyone to do.
www.surfingfiji.com
OUTRIGGER FIJI BEACH RESORT
Guests get the added extras. Guests booking a Bure or Suite at Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort on the Coral Coast will have a pleasant surprise in store. (Well actually, quite a few pleasant surprises!) We're talking about a long list of added extras. Let's start...VIP priority check-in, priority housekeeping including a complimentary laundry service, Talai Butler service including afternoon canapés and glass of sparkling wine, and an evening turndown service with nightcap, Pure Fiji amenities. Then you can add in high-speed internet access, complimentary High Tea with pastries, sandwiches, scones and cake (yum) and a private invitation to the weekly VIP cocktail party. It all adds up to a great package - and as we say - it's all the little things that make a big difference!
www.outrigger.com/hotels-resorts/fiji/viti-levu
WE TRAVEL NOT TO ESCAPE LIFE. BUT FOR LIFE NOT TO ESCAPE US.