Fiji tourism business briefs: Rydges, latest projections
EVT will operate new Rydges Resort The future Rydges Wailoaloa being developed by owners Hari Punja & Sons at Wailoaloa Beach is expected to open in late 2026, approvals and construction permitting. When it is
Nauru Airlines upgrades its fleet
Nauru Airlines has upgraded its fleet with a new 189-seat passenger aircraft. The blessing of the aircraft took place last week at the airline’s hangar in Brisbane, conducted by Rev David Deluckner, who is also a
Fiji Business Briefs: Visa pilot, Rosie goes electric, more hotels, FHL results
Fiji to pilot outsourcing of some passport and visa services Fiji’s Cabinet has given green light for the piloting of outsourcing of some passport and visa services. The initiative will establish application centres
Fiji tourism industry celebrates leaders and innovators at annual awards
The Sheraton Fiji Golf Resort and Spa sparkled with glamour and excitement as the venue of the 2023 ANZ Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards on Saturday night. The event, attended by 700 tourism operators and
ANT Bicycles Tonga: The first bicycle rental shop in the Kingdom
Visitors to Tonga have a new way of exploring Tongatapu thanks to Alamoni and Taniela Takeifanga. They are the proud owners of ANT Bicycles Tonga, the first family-owned bicycle rental business in the heart of
Fiji Business Briefs: Fiji Airways charter, Kontiki results
Fiji Airways defends Israel charter flight arrangements Fiji Airways says it has adhered to ethical business practices in the running of last year’s charter flights to Israel, but has admitted the charterer has missed
U.S. to end CNMI’s visa-waiver programme for Chinese travellers
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has proposed the prescreening of Chinese travellers before coming to the CNMI as part of a transition plan leading to the eventual termination of the visa waiver programme for
The 2024 Pacific Forecast: A Turn for the Worse?
It’s 2024. Heading towards the halfway mark of this decade, the Pacific’s landscape is vastly different from four years ago, gripped in a steadily escalating set of challenges that may well define what the next
SPTE 2024: A Pacific Gateway to Global Markets
Calling all tourism-related professionals from the Pacific, brace yourself for an unparalleled opportunity that will transform your travel business! The South Pacific Tourism Exchange (SPTE) 2024, organised by the
A solution that goes back to “Meritous Earth”
It’s a fact. Plastic straws are harmful to the environment, and awareness over the harm they cause has been described as a “lightbulb moment” for the move away from single-use plastics. Terra Merita has an
Pacific faces new battle: plastic addiction
It’s a familiar story. While Pacific negotiators recently emerged disappointed but resolute over the result of the climate change negotiations in Dubai, they are also engaged on a new front; a treaty to govern the
Hotel groups want unique visa for Chinese tourists
The two largest businesses groups in the Commonwealth of Northern Marianas (CNMI) are pleading for the administration of Governor Arnold I. Palacios and other local officials to support the creation and implementation
Fiji Business Briefs: ANZ survey, Drua sponsorship deal, Raine & Horne reopens
ANZ business survey: Turnover up, profitability down ANZ’s Fiji Business Survey for Q3 2023 has reported a positive upturn in turnover, with 42% of surveyed firms noting higher demand compared to the previous quarter.
Samoa wanted Chinese tourists – it got a dreamer and grifters instead
When the first direct tourist flight from China to Samoa landed in the Pacific Island country in late May, it was the culmination of years of effort to tap into the potentially lucrative Chinese market. Top Samoan
Fiji Airways announces payload limitations
Fiji Airways says flights to three Pacific Island countries will operate with reduced seating capacities due to prevailing seasonal weather conditions in the region. The airline says some guests and checked bags may not
China Southern Airlines to make inaugural flight
China Southern Airlines will make its inaugural flight from Guangzhou to Port Moresby in December 2023. Minister for Transport and Civil Aviation and Member for Namatanai Open, Walter D. Schnaubelt said during his
Nauru Airlines new Island Hopper service connecting Palau to Australia
Nauru Airlines, the national airline of Nauru, announced the launch of its new Island Hopper Service connecting Palau to Brisbane, Australia. The inaugural flight will depart Brisbane on Thursday, 30 November 2023, and
CNMI tourism is in ‘desperate mode’
The Commonwealth of Northern Marianas (CNMI)‘s only industry, tourism, is in a “desperate mode,” according to the officers of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association of NMI. In a meeting with members
Alii Palau Airline’s inaugural flight opens a new gateway to Palau
After several delays, the Alii Palau Airline’s first flight to Palau became a reality Thursday last week. At 6:40 AM on Thanksgiving Day, 23 November 2023, Drukair, a Royal Bhutan Airline, chartered by Alii Palau
Niue Impresses and Flights increase
The tourism industry in Niue is celebrating the news that Air New Zealand is re-introducing a twice weekly service departing Auckland on a Tuesday and Saturday from 2 April 2024. Demand for the destination has continued
RBF ups Fiji economic growth projection
The Reserve Bank of Fiji has upwardly revised Fiji’s 2023 economic growth forecast to 8.2%. The RBF had earlier said Fiji’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) would grow by 8%. RBF Governor and Chair of the
Pacific Tourism Organisation Attends China International Travel Mart (CITM) 2023
To enhance regional collaboration and tap into the booming Chinese tourism market, the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) led and coordinated the Pacific’s presence at the 24th China International Travel Mart
China announces direct flights to Port Moresby
A direct flight between Port Moresby and Guangzhou in southern China will start next month. Deputy director general of the Chinese foreign affairs commission in Guangdong province Cang Feng confirmed this to journalists
