Samoa visitor arrivals returning to pre-pandemic levels
Visitors to Samoa’s shores in the first quarter of 2023 totaled over 30,000 with data released by the Samoa Bureau of Statistics (SBS) showing arrivals beginning to get to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels.
Solomon Airlines and Air Vanuatu strengthen partnership
Solomon Airlines has confirmed the next phase of partnership cooperation with next-door neighbour Air Vanuatu, establishing a wet lease (ACMI) agreement as the carriers take an important step in improving synergies and
Rethink tourism approach, Cook Islands Opposition leader says
Cook Islands Opposition leader Tina Browne has called on the Government to rethink its approach to tourism. Browne in her response to the Speech from the Throne, delivered in Parliament on Tuesday last week, said
Over 11,000 travellers visited Samoa in February
A total of 11,411 travellers visited Samoa in February of this year, which according to the Samoa Bureau of Statistics (SBS) is a decrease of 34.4 percent over the previous month of January, 2023. However, the latest
U.S. military providing cushion to Palau’s tourism
With efforts underway to boost its tourism-dependent market, Palau’s economy is seeing a glimmer of hope after emerging from more than two years of the Covid-19 pandemic. Last year, Palau visitor arrivals more than
Solomon Airlines assists cyclone recovery, Fiji Airways’ advanced aircraft
Solomon Airlines Chief Executive Officer Gus Kraus has confirmed the national carrier has sent a De Havilland Twin Otter aircraft and operating crew, to assist Vanuatu’s recovery efforts following the devastation
Tourism is a vital sector of Vanuatu’s economy: Seremaiah
Vanuatu’s Minister of Tourism, Trade, Commerce and Ni-Vanuatu Business, Matai Seremaiah, has welcomed the reinstatement of Virgin Australia Airline’s scheduled services to Vanuatu after its last flight on 15
Investing for tourism growth
The rebound in Fiji tourism has again exposed a vulnerability that an upcoming tourism investment summit seeks to address; the shortage of rooms to meet projected arrivals. Citing Fiji Airways’ forecasts and new route
Sigatoka River Safari: The power of relationships
When Jay Whyte was 13, he befriended a guard at the Shangri-La Fijian Resort in Sigatoka, who introduced the Australian visitor and his family to an authentic Fijian experience up in the green terrain of Navosa. It was
Noumea beaches closed due to shark attacks
Beachgoers in New Caledonia have protested against the closure of Noumea’s swimming beaches until the end of the year. The mayor took the decision ten days ago because of a spate of shark attacks, including the
Air Vanuatu’s new fleet of eight airplanes
Air Vanuatu’s new fleet will consist of two Boeing aircraft, two additional ATR aircraft, and four Twin Otter planes, to service the country both internationally and domestically. Prime Minister Ishmael
Virgin Australia makes its long-awaited return to Samoa
Samoa’s harbourside capital of Apia is once again on the departures board for Virgin Australia, as the airline’s twice-weekly flight from Sydney returns to the sky from today, with Brisbane primed to restart on
Asiana to launch weekly flights to Saipan
Less than two weeks after ending service to the destination, Asiana Airlines has announced they will be re-launching direct flights from Seoul to the Marianas next month. According to the airlines official
Fuel problems results in cancellation of Air Kiribati flights
The Kiribati Oil Company Limited (KOIL) has said it has plenty of JetA1 fuel but it has not been approved or passed for use by aircraft. KOIL made the comments regarding the cancellation of Air Kiribati flights. The
Air Niugini needs to re-fleet
With less than 20 aircraft currently in operations, the country’s national airline company seriously needs to look at re-fleeting. The recent incident of passengers being injured during a flight involving an Air
Palau joins world leaders in shift towards sustainable marine tourism
Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr joined global leaders in support of a shift towards sustainable coastal and marine tourism to protect the ocean and the livelihoods of those who directly rely on it. In a joint
Honouring the water: Vanuatu’s water drummers
In the land where there are hundreds of indigenous languages, one stands out, the unique language of women’s water drumming, or Ëtëtung. Sandy Sur, manager of the Leweton Culture Village & Magical Water
IHG set to open new hotel in Palau
IHG Hotels & Resorts on Monday signed a management agreement with Palau Coral Club to open a new hotel on Malakal Island. The proposed Hotel Indigo Palau is targeted for opening either in late 2024 or early 2025.
New Pacific air route lands in Palau
There is excitement in the air in Palau as the first flight of a weekly service from Australia kicks off. Palau’s President Surangel Whipps Jr said flights connecting Brisbane to Palau through PNG began on
Guam, Saipan anticipate surge in travel demand from Japan
Slowing reemerging from their Covid-triggered hiatus, Japanese travelers are getting ready to board the plane again, with Guam and Saipan on top of their destination list this summer. The promising summer travel demand
Air Kiribati to purchase Twin Otter in a US$6.5 million deal
The Kiribati Government Tuesday signed a US$6.5million deal with AEVEX Aerospace – IKHANA Aircraft Services for the purchase of a Twin Otter (MSN 718). Kiribati Minister for Information, Communication,
Pacific Islands Economic Outlook 2023
After two long years of COVID-19 and the tourniquet it applied to the lifeblood of Pacific economies— connectivity and tourism — what can our region expect in 2023? The United Nations predicts the global economy
Cook Islands tourists stranded as backlog of flights continues
A backlog of flights is likely to remain for at least another week in Rarotonga, as the Auckland floods disrupt travel plans for thousands of visitors, with some people having to rebook for the end of the week. Cook
