World Bank may include ICT in Vanua Levu tourism initiative
The success of boosting tourism demand in Vanua Levu will depend on its ability to manage essential tourism-related services, of which ICT is an important element, said the World Bank as work gets underway to develop
Fiji’s tourism comeback
But concerns remain over Pacific-wide labour shortages Travellers now want authentic and immersive vacation experiences, an analyst from international consulting firm Twenty31, told the recent Fiji Tourism Expo. Oliver
From Farm to Table to Memory
Hidden inside the golf course on Denarau is a burgeoning farm. Fiji National University graduate Shahil Ram has been managing the plot for the Marriott group for a year, and despite suffering a slight setback because of
Unplugging at Namosi Eco Retreat
Sustainability was the buzzword at the Fiji Tourism Exchange, and some of the industry’s quiet pioneers were glad to hear it. “The only way to survive the pandemic was through sustainability. The only way
Fiji Tourism Expo: ‘the eyes of the world are on this industry like never before’ says President
“Is it a wedding,” asked two curious guests as they watched several hundred people walk through the grounds of the Sheraton Resort to the beachfront last night. It was not nuptials, but the opening of the Fiji
Cook Islands tourism industry desperate for workers
Although travel restrictions are loosening, Cook Islands tourism operators are struggling to find staff. Pre-departure testing for international arrivals is no longer be required and direct flights from countries other
Colin Philp: Conservationist, businessman, sailor
By Netani Rika Just before Christmas, 20 Fijian children spent a week of the school holidays learning how to sail in the waters of Laucala Bay. Under the watchful eyes of the Uto Ni Yalo Trust volunteers, they learned
Fiji Reopens with Hope for Gradual Normalcy, Despite Omicron
“It’s a happy day for us,” Fiji Airports acting CEO Isei Tudreu said during a news conference in Nadi, as the nation officially reopened to international travel today. Moments later, with Flight FJ914
Tap into “environmentally conscious” tourists: Pacific report
A recently released report is recommending that Pacific destinations tap into environmentally conscious tourists when rebuilding their tourism sectors. This was part of recommendations in a recently released
Visiting gentle Yasur
By Len Garae. Photos: Kersom Richard The closure of borders has seen many Pacific islanders explore their own backyards. For more than one hundred of Vanuatu’s senior public servants, this year’s National Week of
Fiji ready to welcome international tourists
Fiji tourism operators are deep in preparations to welcome international visitors back to the tourism-dependent nation. Fiji has announced the opening of borders to Australia, New Zealand, United States of America,
Wish you were here: Pacific islands travel destinations inch towards reopening
Just a few months ago, whether travellers to the Pacific would need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 was still a matter of debate. But that discussion has moved as quickly as the Delta variant, and it now seems fait
Wish you were here: Tourism inches closer to relaunch
Just a few months ago, whether travellers to the Pacific would need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 was still a matter of debate. But that discussion has moved as quickly as the Delta variant, and it now seems fait
Tourists trickle into Micronesia
By Bernadette Carreon Palau’s cautious return to tourism this year is being closely watched by its neighbours as it has had to respond to fluctuating case numbers in its tourism source markets. Palau slowly reopened
COVID behind Fiji economy’s ‘severe recession’, but ratings agency predicts economy to start recovering next year
COVID-related restrictions and a relatively large fiscal deficit has prompted S&P Global to lower its rating of the Fiji economy from BB-minus to B+, although it expects the Fiji economy to recover next year.
We need art now more than ever
The cultural and creative sectors are among the most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. For many artists in Fiji, this means many are relying on one meal a day and doing what they can to plant and grow food for
No progress on Fiji bubble until COVID is controlled: Australia
Australia’s Minister for International Development and the Pacific says Australia will want to see COVID cases under control in Fiji before any commitment can be made on a travel bubble. When Fiji’s Minister for
Economist says Guam’s economic future remains unpredictable
Guam’s post-lockdown economic activity may have returned to “some semblance of normalcy or some notion of what it was before,” but unpredictable variables are clouding the long-term outlook for the island, Bank of
Cook Is revises policies to ease labour gaps
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration rolled out changes to its immigration policies on Monday in a bid to ease labour skills shortages in the Cook Islands. Easing health checks for workers wanting to come in
“We have been lagging behind quite poorly”
In 2020 as shops and markets all over the world were forced to close due to the coronavirus, people shopped from home, with e-commerce seeing exponential growth in many markets. And the trend will continue. Online
ADB predicts modest growth for Pacific economies this year
The Asian Development Bank expects Pacific Island economies to return to positive growth this year, although at different rates, and with a great deal riding on successful vaccine roll-outs. Pacific economies contracted
Palau travel bubble hits a snag
By Bernadette H. Carreon The travel bubble between Taiwan and Palau is in danger of popping following low interest from Taiwanese tourists to take a holiday from a year of COVID-19 border restrictions.