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
Tourism
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
Tourism continues to buoy Fiji’s economy, but inflation still 5.2%
The Reserve Bank of Fiji says the country’s economy continues to buck international trends on the back of a “marked recovery in tourism.” In November 2022, more than 560,700 international visitors arrived in Fiji,
Owen soars high with Solomon Airlines
Solomon Airlines has promoted one of its female pilots to Captain the national carrier’s largest domestic aircraft – Dash 8. Lyndah Tito Owen was Dash 8 First Officer before officially receiving her Captain’s
Cook Islands tourism industry faces spectre of fewer visitors
Cook Islands Tourism operators are preparing for a quiet few months, as visitor numbers drop as predicted. In November there were 10,278 visitors to the Cook Islands, a drop of about 24 per cent compared to October
Kiribati government looking to get flights back in the air
Kiribati’s transport boss says his ministry aims to re-establish air service connections in the Line Islands. The Minister of Information, Communication and Transport, Tekeeua Tarati, said part of the work is to
Honolulu-Rarotonga flight to commence in May 2023
Tourism operators now have the North American market in their sights, with the first airfares of the Honolulu-Rarotonga flight going online this week. The flights, in partnership with Hawaiian Airlines, will cost
Palau businesses likely to participate in military tourism
For the first time, the U.S. MWR (Military Morale Welfare & Recreational Centre) has reached out to Palau businesses to discuss opportunities to participate in military tourism. The Joint Region Marianas Warfighter
One year on: Fiji’s tourism sector ‘exceeding expectations’
Fiji’s tourism sector leaders are celebrating the one-year anniversary of Fiji’s reopening to tourists, having seen over half a million tourists visit the nation since December 1, 2021. Covid-19 ravaged Fiji’s
New Australia-Palau Connector flight to start December
A new flight connecting Australia to Palau will start this December 13, 2022, announced the Australian government. The flight dubbed “Australia-Palau Connector” is a flight route between Brisbane, Port Moresby,
Nauru Airlines resumes biweekly flights to the FSM
The government of Australia is subsidising biweekly flights on Nauru Airlines to help connect the North and South Pacific, said President David Panuelo of the Federated States of Micronesia. The inaugural
Palau: More flights announced, Taiwan to assist tourism promotions
More flights to Palau are coming this November, with United Airlines (UA) adding two more flights a week, revealed Peter Polloi, Director General of Civil Aviation at Palau National Aviation Administration. UA’s
Samoa PM says hotels’ auction a ‘hard decision’
The foreclosure of several local hotels by the Development Bank of Samoa due to ‘historical debts’ was a hard decision the Samoan Government says had to be made. The financial situation faced by the local
Kiribati welcomes resumed airline service
The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) has welcomed the announcement by Nauru Airlines to resume its Island Hopper Service from October 16. This service last operated in March 2020, prior to the COVID-19 international
Guiding tourism in the Pacific Islands
Tourism to the Pacific Islands stopped dead in the water during the pandemic. With visitors now returning, AUT is helping destinations make better decisions on building back. The University’s New Zealand Tourism
Samoa economy in ‘historical-high’ recession
Samoa has recorded a historical-high recession in the FY2021 with the country’s border closure resulting in a sharp contraction of tourism, says the World Bank. In its 2022 Economic Update for the Pacific Islands
Fiji Tourism looks north
As Fiji reopens to the world, Tourism Fiji’s top priority is securing new markets. “We were very serious about what we were doing over there,” says Tourism Fiji CEO Brent Hill about Fiji Airways’ recent
‘Everyone’s business’ – Vanuatu reopens to tourists
Vanuatu reopened to tourists on July 1, but there is still some work to do to reopen properties that have been shuttered for two years and fill frontline tourism positions. Virgin Australia says it will resume its
Cook Islands at FEMM: tourism and crisis recovery finance
Islands Business reporter Sera Tikotikovatu-Sefeti has been talking to Pacific Islands ministers and officials at the Forum Economic Ministers Meeting in Vanuatu about their economic priorities and regional
Kiribati: First commercial flight since border lockdown
Kiribati was in celebration mode last Thursday as the island gathered at Bonriki International Airport to welcome the country’s first commercial flight, two and a half years since the island nation’s COVID-19
Air Vanuatu to resolve schedule within two months
With its plans to recruit more ni-Vanuatu pilots, the national flag carrier’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Atu Finau, says the current situation of amended schedules on reduced flights is expected to be resolved
After 865 days, Samoa reopens to tourists
Samoa reopens to international tourists again, 865 days after closing borders due to COVID-19. Tuitaga Nathan Bucknall, manager of the Taumeasina Island Resort near Apia, said it’s been a long time
‘It’s good to be back’ – Tonga border reopens
With hugs and tears, families were reunited at Tonga’s Fua’amotu International Airport, after arriving on an Air New Zealand, the first flight as Tonga re-opened its international border on Monday. Most of
