Just four days ago, visitors and residents of Australia's favourite tourist destination, Fiji, were taking shelter in the midst of Tropical Cyclone Evan.
On Tuesday, Nadi International Airport re-opened and airlines, led by Fiji's national carrier Air Pacific, restarted operations.
Now all airline flight schedules are back to normal.
Now, after two days of massive clean-up efforts, many, if not most, of Fiji's resorts and hotels have re-opened or will re-open by this weekend. As a result, with the airport now fully operational, airlines flying, and sunny blue skies and a light breeze present, Fiji expects to be ready for the many tourists due to arrive this weekend in Nadi to celebrate Christmas and New Year's.
In support of this country-wide effort, Tourism Fiji would like to note that as of today:
Health
There were no major injuries or worse as a result of Tropical Cyclone Evan.
The Fijian Ministry of Health Department reports there have been no reports of Typhoid, Dengue Fever, or other health hazards anywhere in the country.
Utilities
Electricity, water, and telecommunications services are being restored to much of the main island of Viti Levu by tomorrow and most of the outer islands expect to be restored within the next 48 hours.
Evacuation Centres
Approximately 11,000 Fijians were accommodated in evacuation centres last night where they were provided with abundant water and food supplies as the Fijian Government works towards returning them to their homes -- following needed repairs or re-building.
Airports & Airlines
Nadi International Airport is fully operational and all flights in & out of Fiji have resumed.
Fiji's outer island airports are also fully operational.
Roads & Ground Transportation
All main highways as well as all resort/hotel roads are open to traffic, and ferry services have resumed to Fiji's outer islands.
98% of all hotel & resort transfer operators are operational and have resumed services.
Resorts & Hotels
Apart from the Westin at Denarau Island (which will be closed for roof & air conditioning repairs), all resorts on Denarau Island are open and should be operating normally by tomorrow.
Coral Coast hotels and resorts - all fully operational.
Taveuni, Savusavu & the Northern Region of Fiji - all resorts & hotels are fully operational
Suva and Pacific Harbor - all resorts & hotels are fully operational
Nadi hotels - all are operational except for some reduction in rooms at Novotel, Tanoa
Apartments, and Trans International (which has a damaged roof)
Hotels near Nadi - First Landing - normal operations; Anchorage Beach Resort has a reduction in rooms; and Fiji Orchid will be closed for several months.
Island resorts off Nadi - resorts that are open & operational include but are not limited to:
Lomani, Plantation, Tokoriki, Viwa
Island resorts off Nadi that are closed temporarily are:
Matamanoa Island Resort - re-opening tomorrow 21 December
Blue Lagoon Beach Resort - re-opening tomorrow 21 December
Musket Cove - re-opening 22 December
Mana Island Resort - re-opening 24 December
Navutu Stars - re-opening 24 December
Amanuca Island Resort - re-opening 25 December
Beachcomber Island - re-opening 28 December
Treasure Island- re-opening 28 December
Bounty Island - re-opening 28 December
Vomo Island Resort - re-opening 29 December
Yasawa Island Resort - re-opening 01 March 2013
Castaway Island - re-opening 01 April 2013
Likuliku - re-opening 01 April 2013
Malolo Island resorts - re-opening 01 April 2013
Funky Fish Resort - re-opening in July 2013
Visitors Thus Far
Since Cyclone Evan, more than 4,614 passengers have already flown into Nadi to visit, return home, or to celebrate Christmas and New Year's.
Waivers, Change Policies & Further Resort Updates
Air Pacific has introduced a waiver policy which allows travellers booked on flights to re-schedule without penalty (or change in fares) up to 31 March 2013 if they do so by Monday, December 24, 2012.
Most hotels and resorts have similar policies (check websites for actual policies).
Holiday-makers intending to visit Fiji should check with their resort's website for updates. Should communications issues have affected that website, please visit www.fijime.com
"Tourism is the mainstay of Fiji's economy and everyone here is working hard to make certain that Fiji's resorts, hotels, and tour operators are back in business," said Dave Pflieger, Chairman of Tourism Fiji.
"Fijians everywhere depend on tourism for jobs and income for their families, and we would urge visitors who have plans to come to Fiji to catch your flight and continue to come and visit our stunning 333 islands, as we celebrate the Festive Christmas holiday season," said Elizabeth Powell, Permanent Secretary for Tourism.
No comments:
Post a Comment