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Cover Story - Rebel Wilson
AUSTRALIAN ACTRESS REBEL WILSON STARS IN A NEW CAMPAIGN FOR TOURISM FIJI AS THE COUNTRY OPENED FOR QUARANTINE-FREE TRAVEL FOR FULLY-VACCINATED AUSSIES FROM DECEMBER 2021.
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Australian actress Rebel Wilson stars in a new campaign for Tourism Fiji as the country opened for quarantine-free travel for fully-vaccinated Aussies from December 2021.
Bringing to life the concept of “Open for Happiness”, Rebel Wilson features in Tourism Fiji’s campaign that sees the actress escape the hustle and bustle of Hollywood life to glamorously wash up on Fiji’s pristine shores. Welcomed with a friendly “Bula” (Fijian for “hello”), she embarks on an adventure to experience all that the idyllic islands have to offer. The perfect destination if you’re looking for a romantic getaway, an adventurepacked escape, or you just want to lie on the beach and drink from a coconut, you’ll find it in Fiji - and Fiji can’t wait to have you back. Growing up in Australia, Rebel has very fond memories of visiting Fiji as a child, so was delighted to return as an adult to shoot the ‘Open for Happiness’ campaign. “When someone asks you whether you want to visit Fiji - there is really only one answer isn’t there?” she said, adding “It’s one of the most beautiful places in the world.”
Rebel admitted she had the “best time” filming the campaign. “There really is nothing like the white sand and clear waters of Fiji. It is truly breathtaking. “But even more than the landscape, I love Fiji the most for its people. Everyone greets you with a smile and a ‘bula’. The warmth and hospitality of everyone I met is something I will always remember. Fiji truly is open for happiness.” Fiji is ready to welcome back visitors with open arms to its 333 islands, white sand beaches and year-round tropical warmth.
Once you arrive, you can holiday safely and enjoy the best of Fiji knowing that when sticking to CareFiji Commitment businesses, everyone you interact with will be fully vaccinated. Renowned for being one of the happiest countries in the world, Fiji has a compelling blend of natural wonders and sense of community that attracts thousands of Aussie tourists each year. Music, ceremonies and traditional customs, food, art and a balmy climate hovering around 26 to 30 degrees all year round combine to make Fiji the tropical island paradise dreams are made of.
Tourism Fiji CEO, Brent Hill said “We’re so proud to launch this campaign, featuring the brilliant Rebel Wilson! “What a pleasure it was working with someone so talented, and who truly embraced everything Fiji is about - from our natural beauty, to our people and our local musicians, producers and talent. Fiji is truly Open for Happiness, and this was such a special campaign for us to make, in Fiji. We are thrilled to once again finally be able to welcome our visitors back from around the globe to the shores of Fiji. It has been a long time coming. “Safety has of course been paramount as we have been planning Fiji’s re-opening, so we have a number of systems in place that aim to protect both visitors and our community. Welcome home to Fiji!”
Fiji Five
Five reasons why Fiji is the perfect spot to restore your happiness after the past two years of travel restrictions and numerous other challenges. Reconnect with nature
With 333 islands in Fiji and over 500 small islets, there are plenty of ways to reconnect with nature. Whether you step of the shores of your resort or venture out a little further, Fiji’s marine life is something of a natural wonder, untouched pristine reef, crystal clear waters, and if you’re lucky, you may even get to swim with a Manta ray or a sea turtle. Fiji boasts nearly 800 species of plants found nowhere else in the world. The most famous of these is the tagimoucia flower which only grows on a single mountain ridge on the northern island Taveuni.
Mainland Fiji, Viti Levu features a rock formation that looks like that of a sleeping giant. Once a private garden purchased by Hollywood Actor Raymond Burr, the 20-hectare Garden of the Sleeping Giant is home to 1,000 orchid hybrids and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Nadi and Denarau, a sure-fire way to appreciate earth’s natural beauty. Make memories that’ll last a lifetime
Fiji is home to a floating bar in the middle of the ocean, with only marine life as their neighbour. Cloud 9, just a 45-minute boat ride from Port Denarau, has its own woodfired pizzeria, bar, on-site DJs and is in the middle of the ocean within the Mamanuca Islands archipelago. Mid-2022, visitors can get ready for double the fun as Seventh Heaven, a floating party platform gets ready to launch with infinity decks, endless day beds and views to die for.
Fancy sailing around the islands? Jump aboard South Sea Cruises’ newest cruise, Sabre. The day sailing catamaran boasts canopied shade for the flop and drop kind of relaxers or pull up a bean bag and make the most of the buffet lunch before strapping on your snorkel and checking out some of the world’s best underwater aquariums. What better way to make a lifelong memory than jumping out of a plane with views over Fiji’s islands, taking a ride in a seaplane or helicopter or swimming with some of the local reef sharks and Manta rays. Pack your go-pro because it’s something you won’t want to miss capturing. Convinced drinking and dining in Fiji begins and ends at its resorts? Fiji’s vibrant - and varied - hospitality scene is coming of age, local restaurants, cafes and food tourism operators celebrating both local flavours with a tip of the hat to its rich multicultural history. From the deservedly popular to those secret spots only insiders know about, Fiji’s delightfully diverse dining scene has plenty to tempt your tastebuds. The Fiji Food Truck in Suva, an instafamous vehicle, serves up a host of goodies from fresh fish tacos and loaded fries to wahoo burgers. Just as famous with travellers are high-end restaurants Eden Bistro and Tiko’s Floating Restaurant . In Denarau, KANU - Fiji’s first gastropub, Daikoku Cardo’s Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar, round out the ‘must visit’ list, but for those looking for cheap bites, be sure to also check out Yeastie Boys for fresh baked goods. When you’re known as Fiji’s ‘Garden Island’, there’s a lot to live up to when it comes to your produce and,
happily, Taveuni delivers. Surrender to the ultimate foodie tour at Gaiatree Sanctuary, a spice plantation, day club and nectar lab. Book their Spice of Life Tour for a guided experience around the Fiji food forest and enjoy a vegetarian farm-to-table dining experience. Immerse yourself in the Bula Spirit
The December 2017 Gallup International’s Happiness, Hope and Economic Optimism Survey found that people in Fiji were the happiest in the world. In Fiji, ‘Bula’ is more than just a greeting – it’s a wish for happiness, good health and the energy of life. You’ll hear it everywhere you go in Fiji, bookended with the largest smile you’ve ever seen, it’s impossible to not reiterate the pure joy that they radiate. The country is full of culture, from the resorts and attractions to the villages. Immerse yourself in the spirit by visiting a cultural experience like VOU, an explosive and vibrant experience that’s rich in ancient stories, tradition and culture. There are also many ways to give back to the locals of Fiji. Visit one of Fiji’s many beautiful villages, filled with beautiful people. Take a trip to their local school and donate education supplies or outdoor sports equipment for the kids or help out on community projects by laying concrete footpaths or painting the local hall.
Invest back into the locals
Fiji has several brands and products, showcasing the incredible talent of the locals. Rise Beyond the Reef is one of these brands, a movement for change and bridging the gap between remote communities, government and private sectors in the South Pacific, they hire local women to make stunning products with a portion of the profits being returned back into the community. Pure Fiji and Nama Fiji are two beauty incredible beauty lines, the latter using locally sourced sea grapes to make their product and employing local women from the Yasawa Islands. Two things that humankind can’t live without… Peanut butter and coffee. And Fiji has some of the best. Coffee Hub owned by Zoro is in the heart of Nadi and is home to some of the best coffee in town, with a name like Zoro, you can only imagine his coffee will be strong, rich and delicious. Island Time Peanut Butter is lovingly batch roasted with all natural ingredients and with locally sourced Fijian coconut oil. Kiwi family, the Pickering’s are the creators, owners and operators of the nut butter. Three years ago, when visiting family in the island nation, the Pickerings identified a gap in the market; they picked up some roasted peanuts at a road-side market and made their own. Shortly after they were encouraged to sell it at the local markets and from there it blew up into the business it is today, loved by locals and international visitors alike.
