Diveplanit Travel to Showcase the Best of Australia and the South Pacific Diving at Scuba.Digita

Diveplanit Travel has partnered with Scuba.Digital, the world's No. 1 online dive show, to help share our knowledge of diving in Australia, South East Asia and the South Pacific.

This is an opportunity for divers around the world to get answers to all their dive travel questions, in person from dive industry professionals.

Scuba.Digital is the new standard in dive shows. Meet exhibitors online and hear about their dive resorts, liveaboards and equipment, just like you normally would at a stand in a large noisy Dive Expo.

There are also several interesting sessions/presentations where you can learn about everything from wreck diving and technical diving to marine conservation, free diving and underwater photography. Participate comfortably from your kitchen table, office or even your hammock. All you need is a browser… and WiFi of course.

With three days of live presentations on the main stage, networking throughout the event and hundreds of exhibitor booths and sessions, Scuba.Digital is the place to catch up on the world of diving. Meet face to face with exhibitors, discuss options for your next trip, find out about new equipment and meet with other divers.

Of course, like all travel expos, there will be exclusive Show Specials for dive resorts and liveaboards throughout Asia and the South Pacific. Subscribe to Diveplanit for regular updates on exclusive Show Specials.

Diveplanit Director Simon Mallender is excited about the opportunity to meet with divers from around the world in this virtual environment.

“Just like a physical Expo, it allows us to showcase our expertise, present our specials and have the same face to face discussions, where we can gain a deeper understanding of our customers and what they really want out of their diving holiday.

“The virtual environment is especially convenient for boutique companies such as ours – as it can be difficult for us to spare the time away from our desks to travel to a dive show.”

Marketing Director Deborah Dickson-Smith has collated a selection of exclusive dive travel offers that showcase the best of Australia and the South Pacific to the world.

“We have a wide range of unbeatable special offers, for places ranging from Fiji's premier dive resort Volivoli Beach Resort, to little-known hidden gems such as Christmas and Cocos Keeling Islands and the Solomon Islands. We've also got unbeatable deals for the world's most famous WWII wreck, the SS President Coolidge in Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu, diving with Vanuatu's best story tellers.

“No-one knows the South Pacific diving world as well as we do.”

Tourism organisations and operators interested in promoting dive travel to this global audience are encouraged to contact Diveplanit Travel or the team at Scuba.Digital.

You only need one ticket to get access to the full 3 days of Scuba.Digital and by getting a ticket you are automatically entered into the show prize draw.

Learn more and purchase Early Bird $10 tickets at Scuba.Digital

About Diveplanit
Diveplanit Travel is a specialist scuba diving travel agency and wholesaler. It's founders, Deborah Dickson-Smith and Simon Mallender, are scuba divers and passionate ocean advocates, whose main mission in life is to encourage more people to see first-hand how incredible the underwater world really is, and hopefully care more about looking after it.

In 2018, the fast-growing company acquired established dive travel wholesaler and agency Diversion Dive Travel. Diversion Dive Travel has been taking care of divers' travel needs for 23 years and have personal knowledge of all the dive resorts and liveaboards they recommend to customers, either from personal experience or from feedback gleaned from their many returning customers.

Specialising in tailor-made diving holidays – the Diveplanit Travel team pride themselves on finding the best travel combination for each client, taking care of everything along the way, from airfares and accommodation to dive equipment and transfers.

Diveplanit Travel is a Platinum Partner of the Australian Marine Conservation Society, donating a percentage of profits each year and helping to promote the admirable campaigns the society undertakes.

The team also spends time volunteering with a number of marine conservation action groups, taking part in beach clean-ups with Tangaroa Blue, helping scientists on the Reef Restoration project on Fitzroy Island, and undertaking marine life surveys for the NSW-based Underwater Research Group

Website: www.theholidayandtravelmagazineblogspot.com.au
Website: Deborah Dickson-Smith

Crystal Serenity’s 2023 Voyages Open for Booking

Crystal Serenity

The latest deployment from the World’s Most Awarded Luxury Cruise Line features exploration of the Black Sea, Dalmatian Coast, South Pacific, Africa, New England & Canada, Caribbean and more

Global travellers can now look ahead to a world of luxury voyages aboard the award-winning Crystal Serenity, with Crystal Cruises recently opening her 2023 itineraries for bookings. In 2023, the ship will sail individual voyages of seven to 23 nights, as well as a full World Cruise offered with 140-, 128- and 119-night options, and combination sailings of up to 100 nights without repeating ports.

“At a time when so many travellers are eager to return to exploring and seeking out new experiences and cultures, we’re happy to offer more than three full years of global itineraries to inspire their next journeys,” said Carmen Roig, Crystal’s senior vice president of marketing and sales. “The anticipation of an incredible vacation is one of the best parts of travel – the wonder about places one has never seen or the way that favourite destinations pull at the heart to return. The 2023 voyages planned for Crystal Serenity encompass all of this and are designed to inspire that sense of joyful anticipation for our guests.”

Highlights of Crystal Serenity’s 2023 deployment include:
Wild Kingdoms & Exotic Discoveries World Cruise, embarking 11 January 2023 – 140 nights in total from Miami, with alternative disembarkation options in Venice and Athens for 128- and 119-night itineraries, respectively. The epic voyage visits 73 destinations in all, including five maiden ports and 19 overnights across 40 countries on six continents – with a focus on the world’s greatest wonders and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Destinations range from the South Pacific and Papua New Guinea to Myanmar, the Seychelles, African safaris and Egypt’s ancient wonders.

A connoisseur’s collection of the Black Sea, Mediterranean and Western Europe, embarking 10 May through 16 September 2023 – Layer upon layer of rich artistic and cultural heritage waiting to be explored in Italy, Greece, Spain and Portugal, plus sojourns through the Black Sea calling in Bulgaria, Romania, Georgia and Turkey; along the Dalmatian Coast to Croatia and Montenegro; the romantic ports of Iberia.

Autumn beauty in New England & Canada, embarking 27 September through 28 October 2023 – When the famed foliage of the region reaches peak brilliance, these sailings explore bastions of American history in places like Newport and Bar Harbor, the majestic forests and wilderness trails that cloak the coastline, and the contrasting big city life found in Manhattan, Boston and Québec City.

Caribbean island escapes, embarking 5 November through 22 December 2023 – For the ultimate luxury retreat, sailing from one sun-kissed shore surrounded by turquoise waters to another, each with its own culture, character and warm hospitality. Boutique ports like St. John, St. Barts, Antigua, St. Kitts, St. Maarten and others offer travellers a balance of chic shops, quaint villages and opportunities to stay active outdoors, while the reefs of Honduras and Belize call are perfect for snorkelling and diving.

With 30 years of cruising to the far reaches of the world, Crystal has a long tradition of implementing and maintaining the highest health and safety policies at sea. While the fleet is paused, the Crystal team is developing new procedures and policies that will support all public health and regulatory requirements and ensure that guests’ vacations continue to be not only relaxing and pleasurable but safe and healthy. Details of these new measures and initiatives will be announced soon.

Additionally, the inherent design of Crystal ships maximizes personal and public space, offering plenty of options for those who choose to keep a healthy distance during their voyage. All Crystal ships across the fleet including Ocean, River, Yacht and Expedition offer nearly double the space per person than ships of a similar size, which is among the highest space ratios in the industry and will be further augmented through the new measures we will be implementing. Further, Crystal Endeavor and Crystal’s River ships are all-suite, featuring all-balcony suites and most staterooms on our two Ocean ships feature private verandas for fresh airflow.

The safety of guests and crew members is Crystal’s number one priority and the fleet will resume service only when the company’s expert team and global health and government authorities indicate that it is safe to do so.

Crystal Serenity

About Crystal
Only the world-renowned Crystal Experience offers an unwavering, unparalleled standard of excellence and luxury across four distinct cruising options: Crystal Cruises, the World’s Most Awarded Luxury Cruise Line; Crystal River Cruises, the World’s Most Luxurious River Cruise Line; Crystal Yacht Cruises, offering boutique luxury and bold adventure in the world’s most elite harbours; and Crystal Expedition Cruises, taking Crystal’s acclaimed elegance to the farthest reaches of the world. Crystal has been recognized with top honours in the Condé Nast TravelerReaders’ Choice Awards for a record 26 years including, in 2019, for Best Medium-Ship Cruise Line for Crystal Cruises, Best Small-Ship Cruise Line for Crystal Yacht Cruises and Best River Cruise Line for Crystal River Cruises. Crystal was also voted “World’s Best” by the readers of Travel + Leisure for 23 years; and won “Cruise Line of the Year” and “Most Luxurious Guest Experience” by Virtuoso for 2018 & 2019. 

For more information and for Crystal reservations, visit crystalcruises.com.au, call 1300 059 263 (AU) or 0800 600 108 (NZ).

Join the hundreds of thousands who subscribe to the Crystal Insider blog, follow Crystal Cruises’ Facebook page; @crystalcruises on Twitter and Instagram; @crystalrivercruises on Instagram; and engage in the conversation with #crystalcruises, #crystalrivercruises and #WhereLuxuryisPersonal.

Take off with Eclipse Travel's new Close to Home adventures

Travel specialist Eclipse Travel has fuelled a range of new tours for take-off throughout Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.

The Close to Home range showcases the favourite destinations and experiences of the company's passionate and experienced staff.

With long-haul travel likely to remain off-limits for the remainder of 2020, Eclipse Travel director Matt McMillan said there had never been a better time to explore our own backyard.

“Clients have been asking for our staff picks for years and we have loved helping them,” he said.

“We decided to launch a program that not only leverages the extensive knowledge of the Eclipse Travel team, but allows our clients to continue travelling with a company they know and trust.”

The Close to Home adventures feature a range of tailor-made packages, small-group tours and small-ship expedition cruises throughout Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific islands.

The entire Eclipse Travel team was involved in the selection and design of each experience, with a focus on curating a selection of adventures that Australians may not have considered before.

Travellers can choose to explore the wilderness of the Kimberley onboard a stylish cruise, trek through New Zealand's south island or immerse themselves in the incredible cultures of Papua New Guinea.

Additional adventures will be added in the coming months, with clients able to select multiple trips and destinations.

Mr McMillan said there was no doubt 2020 had been one of the most challenging for the tourism industry.

“We have used the travel standstill as an opportunity to diversify our offering and fast-track some of our longer term business plans,” he said.

“We're excited for people to start exploring our wonderful country and those of our neighbours, while supporting local businesses.”

Eclipse Travel has also introduced a new flexible booking policy, which allows clients to change their travel dates free of charge or transfer their deposit to another tour, for any COVID-19 related cancellation.

Details about the Close to Home range can be found at www.eclipsetravel.com.au/close-to-home.

Website: eclipsetravel.com.au

2019 Pacific Games Beneficial for Samoa Tourism

The opening of the 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa on the weekend was a showcase of the rich Samoan culture and heritage and heralds the start of two weeks of intensive competition by the best sports people in the region said SPTO Chief Executive, Christopher Cocker.

“The Organising Committee, Government and people of Samoa are to be commended for what I believe is one of the best Pacific Games opening Ceremony. I heard that it has been labelled as well as the miracle Pacific Games because the rain stopped just before the opening ceremony started. Thank you Samoa for bringing the Pacific people together and making us all proud at the opening ceremony! ” said Mr. Cocker.

Mr. Cocker said Samoa has made each country delegation welcome and gone the extra mile to ensure that the Games is a “Plastics free” event, “This augurs well with the role Pacific people play in the protection of the Blue Pacific which is a pillar of our common identity.”

With more than 3000 athletes participating in 26 various sports, Mr. Cocker said the Pacific Games is a boom for the Samoan economy, “As the Games not only celebrates athleticism and sportsmanship of our Pacific people but highlights the rising importance of sports tourism for our region as another means to enhancing economic prosperity, especially for the host country.”

Mr. Cocker said the hike in visitors, over the two weeks of the Pacific Games will certainly boost the local commerce and tourism businesses in Samoa with athletes, support teams and their families looking to immerse in the Samoan shopping, cuisine, cultural and hospitality experience.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for Samoa to put on great showcase for visitors from the Pacific and abroad which I am certain they will accomplish very well. I take this opportunity to wish all the athletes the best in their various events and also to enjoy the hospitality of beautiful Samoa,” said Mr. Cocker.

Website: www.spto.org/

Regional Tourism Sector Achieves 3.16 Million Visitor Arrivals in 2018

“2018 was a favorable year for the regional tourism sector with a total of 3.16 million visitor arrivals during the year. Of this, air arrivals were 2.14 million in 2018, 1.6% above 2017 while sea arrivals, mainly cruise (day visitors) were 1.02 million,” said SPTO Chief Executive Officer, Chris Cocker. These figures were released by the South Pacific Tourism Organisation in its 2018 Annual Visitor Arrivals Report.

The Report also noted that Pacific tourism receipts or visitor spending in destinations contributed US$3.8 billion or 11.1% to the region's GDP and generated 131,010 jobs placing the tourism sector as a key driver of economic growth and employment creation for the Pacific Islands.

Highlights of the 2018 Annual Visitor Arrivals Report include:

• In terms of air arrivals, Fiji continues as a popular destination, accounting for 40.7%, French Polynesia 10.1%, Cook Islands 7.9%, Samoa 7.8%, Papua New Guinea (PNG) 5.7%, New Caledonia 5.6%, Vanuatu 5.4% and Palau at 5.0%.
• For total visitor arrivals (both air and cruise), Fiji led with 33.1%, New Caledonia followed at 18.1% whilst Vanuatu was third at 11.1%.
• Air arrivals by key source markets rose by 13.5% with Europe, USA and New Zealand leading growth at 11.7%, 8.9% and 4.4%, respectively in 2018.
• Australia and New Zealand continued to dominate tourist arrivals at 50.7%. USA followed at 10.5%, Europe 9.7%, Other Asia 7.7% and Pacific Islands at 7.1% share.
• 9% of tourists were in the region for leisure whilst visiting friends and relatives (VFR) represented 13.9% and business 12.1%.
• National tourism budgets for Pacific Island Countries in 2018 were US$105.75 million. Of this, marketing and promotion accounted for 56.7 of the total budget.

The 2018 Annual Visitor Arrivals Report is an annual SPTO publication for member countries and private sector members. The Report provides detailed analysis on tourist arrivals by destinations, source markets, air and cruise arrivals and earnings. Figures are derived from reports provided by the National Statistics Offices and the National Tourism Offices of SPTO member countries.

The report is available to SPTO member countries and private sector members. For access to the report, please contact membership@spto.org.

Website: www.spto.org/

SPTO to Attend AgriTourism Policy Workshop in Samoa

The South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) will attend the Samoa AgriTourism Policy Setting Workshop in Apia next week.

The main aim of the workshop is to promote the sustainable use of local food by the tourism industry through strengthened inter-sectoral policies.

Resource persons will share their experiences on strengthening linkages between agriculture, trade and tourism to support sustainable local businesses.

The workshop will be attended by policy makers, government officials, private sector delegates, chefs and actors from the hospitality sector, civil society, academia and international and regional partners.

The three-day workshop will feature presentations, panel discussions and field trips.

SPTO's Investment Specialist Kelera Cavuilati will serve as panelist on a discussion on “Policy Forum: Regional perspective on opportunities/ experiences to support Agritourism development and investment”.

The panel will discuss the current policies and frameworks in support of agriculture and tourism which also promote the private sector development in the Pacific both at commercial and small-scale levels. It will build upon the recommendations of the 2nd Pacific Agribusiness Forum held in Apia in August.

The workshop is organised by the Government of Samoa and Brussels-based Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) in collaboration with Pacific Islands Private Sector Organisation.

The Samoa AgriTourism Policy Setting Workshop will be held at the Samoa Convention Centre.

Based in Suva, SPTO works with 16 Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste to market and develop tourism in the South Pacific region.

http://www.spto.org/

SPTO Welcomes Miss Pacific Islands 2016

The South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) says national and regional pageants give recognition to young Pacific Island women and their contributions to regional affairs across diverse fields.

SPTO Chief Executive Officer Chris Cocker said this when his team welcomed and hosted Miss Pacific Islands 2016, Anne Christine Dunn to a luncheon at the SPTO office in Suva today. Dunn, who is also Miss Fiji 2016 was recently crowned the overall winner at the 30th Miss Pacific Islands pageant last week in Apia, Samoa.

Samoa hosted the weeklong pageant with Samoa Tourism Authority (STA) serving as the event's secretariat. The pageant's return to the Polynesian island nation was a fitting one given that the Samoan Government established and hosted the Pacific's first ever pageant 30 years ago.

Established as the Miss South Pacific Islands Pageant in 1987, the pageant was officially renamed and re-launched in 2014 as the 'Miss Pacific Islands Pageant' in order to reflect participation from the broader Pacific region.

Eight Pacific Island beauties from American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Samoa competed in this year's event.

He added, “Events such as Miss Pacific Islands uniquely promote the region and its holiday destinations as well as encourage the Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) market. The Pacific's tourism assets are its people, environment and culture; and pageants serve as a unique platform to celebrate these assets.”

SPTO, as the leading regional body for tourism promotion, will continue to support national and regional pageants that celebrate cultural diversity, promote our idyllic Pacific destinations, and contribute to foreign exchange earnings of the host country by attracting overseas-based Pacific Islanders to return to the region to attend and be part of such events.

http://www.spto.org/

Tonga – Is so hot right now for Aussie travellers!

Affectionately called the ‘Friendly Islands’, the Kingdom of Tonga has been tipped as the new, New Caledonia by leading assistance provider, Allianz Global Assistance (AGA).

Tonga is a treasure trove of authentic island culture, history and natural beauty. Known for its whale watching, diving and snorkelling – it’s no surprise that Aussies are flocking to the south pacific nation for tropical getaways.

AGA data shows that the number of Australian travellers heading to Tonga has quadrupled in the last two years – with August, September and December proving to be the most popular months to visit.

Allianz Global Assistance General Manager Travel & Medical, John White said, “With more than 170 islands, travellers will never run out of exotic beaches to explore in Tonga. Given its year-round summer climate and close proximity to Australia, it’s a great destination for Aussies choosing to escape the Australian winter or even head there for their summer break.

“Although Tonga enjoys a relatively low crime rate and practices strict Christian beliefs, visitors should still be vigilant when walking at night as like any destination, tourists can be a target. Vaccinations are also needed before departing and travellers should be cautious not to offend the religious locals.”

Tips for visitors to the Kingdom of Tonga:

Theft

Petty crime and theft occurs in Tonga so be sure to secure all valuables and avoid flashing expensive or desirable items. We also recommend using caution when walking at night, travelling in groups if possible and avoiding desolate areas.

Vaccines

Make sure you are up-to-date on routine vaccines before heading to Tonga. This includes measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, varicella (chickenpox), the polio vaccine, as well as the the yearly flu shot.
The hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for all travellers aged over one. It should be given two – four weeks before departure. A booster should be given six-12 months later to ensure long-term immunity.
The typhoid vaccine is also recommended for travellers staying with friends or relatives in small cities or rural areas, or those with an adventurous appetite.
Be sure to ask your doctor what vaccines and medicines you need based on where you are going, how long you are staying and what you’ll be doing.

Health and Safety

When walking on the beaches of Tonga, keep an eye out for sharp coral. Sometimes it’s hard to spot as its buried in the white sand. While swimming, it’s a good idea to wear sandals in the water. The jellyfish aren’t easy to see but they sting!

Culture

While casual wear is acceptable, it is respectable to wear modest clothes in towns and rural areas. Beachwear should be confined to the beach and travellers should respect the locals. It is illegal for men and women to go shirtless in public. Travellers should also remember that Sunday is regarded as a sacred day.

Travel Insurance

Invest in comprehensive travel insurance before you embark on your trip – Always take a copy or two of your insurance policy details and ensure emergency contact numbers are accessible throughout the trip so you can act quickly if something goes wrong.

SPTO Launches Niue Fishing Holiday Incentive

The secret's out! The South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) today launches an exclusive, eight-night fishing holiday incentive in Niue.

Described as a “fisherman's secret paradise,” Niue is one of the world's largest coral atolls but also one of its smallest countries. It offers world-class fishing with different types of fishing experiences on offer.

Black, blue and striped Marlin; Skipjack and Yellowfin Tuna; red Bass, Mahimahi, Sailfish, Wahoo and Giant Trevally, amongst many others, are commonly encountered in Niue's waters.

The incentive is targeted specifically at travel specialists who sell fishing travel packages or those with fishing licences and certifications themselves.

To qualify, agents simply have to complete the South Pacific Specialist Programme, an on-line training module that teaches them how to sell South Pacific holidays. The closing date for the competition is 15 December 2016. To register and complete the South Pacific Specialist training, visit www.southpacificspecialist.org (for English) or www.southpacificspecialist.org/cn (for Chinese).

Fishing in the Pacific islands region is one of five niche areas covered in the training, which helps travel agents develop and enhance their knowledge on the unique tourism products and services that are available throughout the tropical South Pacific.

The online programme is also aimed at helping travel agents increase their confidence and ability to sell the South Pacific with passion and loyalty.

At present, there are 488 certified South Pacific Specialist agents across the globe mainly from Australia, Canada, China, Europe, India, United Kingdom and United States.

The eight-night Niue Fishing package being launched is offered in partnership with Niue Tourism. The prize is inclusive of eight night's accommodation with full buffet breakfast, island tours, fishing excursions, meet and greet and tranfers courtesy of Scenic Matavai Resort, Toamana Leeward Tours, Teresa Fishing Charters, Buccaneer Adventures Niue Dive and Fish Niue Charters.

Niue Tourism CEO, Felicity Bollen says 'We look forward to hosting the winner of the South Pacific Specialist Programme and showing them the unique beauty of our incredible island. We can have you fishing and diving less than 15 minutes from the shore in 100 meters of some of the clearest water in the world'. The country has several professional operators running established, safe and reliable fishing charters.

In launching the competition, SPTO chief executive officer Chris Cocker said: “Niue and other Pacific Islands countries offer unique fishing tourism experiences and a few are also on the global fishing tourism list of “must fish” locations.”

He added: “There are many species of fish in our Pacific Islands countries that are an attraction for those tourists who are looking to fish during their holidays and those who are seeking a holiday purely to fish.”

Based in Suva, SPTO works with 16 Pacific island countries and Timor Leste to market and develop tourism in the South Pacific region.

About SPTO

Established in 1983 as the Tourism Council of the South Pacific, the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) is the mandated organisation representing Tourism in the region. Its 18 Government members are American Samoa, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Marshall Islands, New Caledonia, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and the People's Republic of China. In addition to government members, the South Pacific Tourism Organisation enlists a private sector membership base.

'South Pacific Islands' Launches in China

The South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) launched the new regional destination brand 'South Pacific Islands' at Asia's largest professional travel show last week.

“The launch of the new brand at China International Travel Mart (CITM) in Shanghai helped raise greater awareness of the South Pacific among key stakeholders in the Asian tourism sector and spread the key brand message of Ours is Yours,” said SPTO chief executive officer Chris Cocker. “This should help to solidify an identity for the South Pacific in China and drive increased tourism arrivals from this important emerging market to the Pacific Islands.”

Held yearly in Shanghai or Kunming, CITM is widely attended by the international travel industry with participants from all sectors including international and domestic tourist organisations, travel agencies, hotels, airlines and related travel companies.

CITM is organised by China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), which is a non-Pacific Island member of SPTO. CNTA is supported the South Pacific's participation at CITM through the provision of eight complimentary booths for national tourism organisations and private sector partners from Fiji, French Polynesia, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, and Vanuatu.

SPTO used the CITM platform to raise further awareness among Chinese travel agents of its online South Pacific Specialist Chinese training programme.

Prior to CITM, a VIP luncheon was held in Beijing to present the new brand to top-tier travel agencies and media. SPTO is assisted by Pacific Islands Trade & Invest Beijing office and Travel Link Marketing on the events in Beijing and Shanghai.

Based in Suva, SPTO works with 16 Pacific island countries and Timor Leste to market and develop tourism in the South Pacific region.

SPTO

Established in 1983 as the Tourism Council of the South Pacific, the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) is the mandated organisation representing Tourism in the region. Its 18 Government members are American Samoa, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Marshall Islands, New Caledonia, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and the People's Republic of China. In addition to government members, the South Pacific Tourism Organisation enlists a private sector membership base.

New Brand for South Pacific Tourism

Cook Islands Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism Henry Puna officially launched a new brand and identity for promoting South Pacific tourism globally after it was approved at the 26th Council of Tourism Ministers Meeting in Rarotonga, Cook Islands today.

Organised by the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), the region's peak tourism development and marketing body, the council meeting was attended by tourism ministers and government representatives from 13 Pacific island countries and China.

The new brand draws heavily on Pacific Islands' cultural elements, in particular weaving. Individual letters in South Pacific Islands and SPTO have been taken apart, then strung back together like the strands in a woven mat.

A simple corporate monogram for SPTO with a natural colour palette of beiges and browns drawn from traditional craft will be used for high-level communications.

On the other hand, all consumer facing communications will draw from a vibrant palette that's inspired by the vivid colours found in Pacific arts and culture as well as the region's lush natural environment.

A new consumer-facing slogan “Ours is yours” accompanies the new brand. It evokes the welcoming nature of Pacific peoples and the Pacific spirit of sharing, in particular the unique cultures and pristine natural environments that our island countries share with visitors from around the world.

In launching the new brand, Mr Puna said: “The South Pacific Islands are incredibly diverse and range from coral atolls to volcanic islands. They're also home to a rich variety of cultures. The new brand for South Pacific tourism has found a simple yet effective way to connect our island countries through our shared heritage of weaving. At the same time, it's a resolutely modern identity, one that will help propel South Pacific tourism forward in the increasingly globalised world”.

The creative agency behind the new identity FutureBrand has been responsible for a number of highly successful brand launches including Fiji Airways and Tahiti's destination brand in recent times.

SPTO led the brand development over a two year period in close consultation with SPTO's 18 member countries. The current South Pacific Tourism brand has been in use since the late 90s and has been in need of overhaul for some time as is standard industry practice.

A full roll out of the new brand and identity will commence in the coming weeks and months.

About SPTO

Established in 1983 as the Tourism Council of the South Pacific, the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) is the mandated organisation representing Tourism in the region. Its 18 Government members are American Samoa, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Marshall Islands, New Caledonia, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and the People's Republic of China. In addition to government members, the South Pacific Tourism Organisation enlists a private sector membership base.

Fiji's Olympic Win Is Marketing Gold for South Pacific Tourism

“Fiji's historic Olympic win at Rugby 7s is pure marketing gold for South Pacific tourism,” said Chris Cocker, Chief Executive Officer of South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO).

“Given that the Rio Olympics is watched the world over and has an estimated reach of 3.6 billion viewers, the publicity it has garnered is priceless,” he said.

“It has made a great deal more people sit up and take note not only of Fiji but the South Pacific region as a whole.”

On Friday, Fiji beat Britain 43-7 to claim the country's first ever Olympic gold medal since it started competing in the Games in 1956.

Four years ago, Fiji's Iliesa Delana won the country's first ever Paralympics gold medal in the men's high jump event in London in 2012.

He came back to Fiji a hero and went on to become the country's Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports, a position he currently holds.

Fiji's Olympic win at Rugby 7s was doubly significant given that this year marks the first time that rugby has been reintroduced at the Olympics since 1924.

Within minutes of the win, Fiji quickly became a viral social media sensation.

The country went on to become the number one trending item on Twitter, and the most searched item on Google for the day.

Only a week prior, another Pacific Island nation stole the show at the Games' opening ceremony.

Tonga's 32-year old flag bearer Pita Nikolas Taufatofua grabbed the world's attention when he came out extremely 'oiled' and bare-chested, dressed in nothing but a tapa (Tongan bark cloth).

Taufatofua quickly became a sensation on Twitter and other social media platforms.

One tweet read: "Pita Taufatofua just increased tourism to #Tonga just by walking out into the stadium... What a guy!"

During the week, he has gone on to appear on a number of popular American news and variety shows watched by millions.

“Fiji's outstanding win and Tonga's scene stealing flag bearer have helped raise a tremendous amount of global interest in the region, which our national tourism organisations now need to capitalise on,” said Cocker.

“Using these Olympic heroes as tourism brand ambassadors could help maximise destination marketing and development campaigns to increase awareness of the Pacific as a holiday destination.”

He added that the region could build on the momentum gained from the Olympics to boost the profile of upcoming sporting events such as the Fiji International, an annual golfing event held since 2014, and the 2019 South Pacific Games to be held in Nuku'alofa, Tonga.

The publicity could also be used to attract more international sporting events such as the recent Super Rugby game held in Suva in July to this part of the world, he added.

“The Olympic win and attention is tremendous,” added Cocker. “What matters now is what we do with that attention.”

Based in Suva, SPTO works with 17 Pacific island countries to market and develop tourism in South Pacific region.

www.spto.org/

Samoa's tourism destination is safe for all travelers.

That's the word from the Samoa Tourism Authority in Apia, following widespread media coverage about natural disasters hitting Pacific destinations.

“Our sympathies go out to the families and victims of the two super cyclones that hit Vanuatu last year and Fiji this year. At the same time we would like to clarify that Samoa was not affected by these disasters, nor the forecasted cyclone that threatened us last weekend,” Samoa Tourism Authority Marketing & Promotions Manager Dwayne Bentley said.

“Samoa was preparing for the worst with Cyclone Amos and given the misfortunes suffered by our brothers and sisters in Vanuatu and Fiji, we knew we were going to face similar circumstances.

“Fortunately for us the cyclone caused very minimal to no damage, no lives were lost and our tourism industry remained unscathed.”

South Pacific Tourism Organisation Acting Chief Executive Alisi Lutu said they were glad that Samoa managed to escape the effects of a natural disaster and assured travelers it was safe to travel to Samoa.

“Many times we have had people accidently roping in all Pacific Island nations into one not understanding how far apart our island nations are located, separated by vast masses of ocean hence the need for such clarity.

“We will continue to reinforce this message through our communications to our visitors, media and travel partners she said.

For more information, contact:
Robert Matau
South Pacific Tourism Organisation
rmatau@spto.org

BSP to Sponsor 2016 South Pacific Tourism Exchange

BSP has partnered with the South Pacific Tourism Exchange (SPTE) as the major sponsor for a regional event to be held at Australia's Gold Coast in May.

The three-year sponsorship will ensure that the region's premier tourism exchange can cater for 160 tourism operators from the 16 member states of the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) as well as tourism wholesale buyers and agents from around the world.

The two-day event will be hosted at Australia's iconic Sea World Resort Convention Centre from 20th – 21st May.

SPTO Chief Executive, Ilisoni Vuidreketi, said the SPTO is pleased to partner with BSP to host the 3rd annual SPTE that gets bigger and better every year.

“This three-year partnership will enable us to ensure that all our 16 member countries from the region are well represented at an international arena to showcase the best of what the South Pacific has to offer,” Vuidreketi added.

“Through this sponsorship from BSP, we will be able to target the best tourism wholesalers, travel agents and tourism buyers from around the world to meet, network and do business with our members at this one stop shop,” he continued.

“We believe that this partnership is timely as BSP is extending its financial reach in the region, we at SPTO are also seeking innovative ways to continuously market and promote our 16 member countries in the Pacific,” Vuidreketi added.

BSP Country Manager Fiji, Kevin McCarthy, said “We are proud to support this initiative by the South Pacific Tourism Organization to develop the region's Tourism market in its 16 member countries.”

“We recognize that Tourism plays an integral role in local island economies already and it holds potential to contribute even more to GDP and national growth. We are encouraged by the opportunities it offers budding entrepreneurs who provide niche experiences in their localities. These form the “engine room for growth” in local island economies which we also serve.”

“This Tourism Exchange will nurture a regional and global co-operation amongst industry stakeholders and as the leading financial services provider in the South Pacific, this partnership places us in the right place at the right time to offer our services and advice. It makes sense that we should support this initiative.”

“We wish SPTO and all the exhibitors the best at SPTE in the Gold Coast and look forward to supporting you all with financial advice.”

SPTO Collaborates with Travel Link Media of China

The South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) and its 17 member countries continue to seek ways to increase tourist arrivals from China, as Chinese travelers continue to have the highest growth of outbound travelers in the world.

The SPTO has thus teamed up with Chinese travel media experts Travel Link Media (TLM) to market its activities in China this year.

Travel Link Marketing is an integrated marketing company in Beijing that specializes in connecting tourism organisations with marketing their products and services to the Chinese travel industry via advertising, social media networking, public relations and event management services.

TLM will work with the SPTO to market the China Outbound Travel & Tourism Market (COTTM) in Beijing in April, the China International Travel Mart (CITM), Shanghai, the South Pacific China Roadshow, the SPTO's South Pacific Specialist Programme and the South Pacific Tourism Exchange (SPTE) which is being held at the Gold Coast, Australia in May, where 8 top Chinese travel agents have been confirmed to participate through TLM.

SPTO Marketing Manager Alisi Lutu said SPTO engaged the services of TLM in 2015 and have noted an increase in Chinese travel agents participation at its roadshows.

“We are pleased to be able to work with TLM to grow our Chinese market and we are particularly pleased with the quality of Chinese buyers at the SPTE which will be held in May this year at the Gold Coast.'

SPTO Chief Executive Ilisoni Vuidreketi said TLM provides a vital link towards increasing visitor arrivals into the Pacific from China.

“There is a concerted effort from SPTO and our 17 Pacific island member states to increase visitor arrivals from China and TLM provides a vital link with prospective visitors as they understand their own market.”

“The SPTO and our member countries also have an excellent working relationship with Pacific Islands Trade and Invest in Beijing, who have been instrumental in collaborating with us to market the Pacific Islands in China. We believe that these strategic partnerships with PIT&I and now TLM position us well to be able to fully enhance our marketing presence in China.”

SPTO Pledges Support for Developmental Womens Programmes

The South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) today pledged to include more developmental women's programmes in its work in the region.

SPTO Chief Executive Ilisoni Vuidreketi made the pledges at a morning tea to mark International Women's Day.

“Women play an integral part in the Pacific tourism sector and we look forward to collaborating with organisations that work towards improving the lives of women in their homes and work force.”

“Today the SPTO pledges to ensure continued parity in its recruitment of staff where we encourage women to apply for vacant positions at SPTO. We also pledge to include more developmental programmes for women in the work that we do with our 17 Pacific Island member states to strengthen the socio-economic development of women in the tourism sector.”

Mr. Vuidreketi added that 65% of staff at SPTO are women and the current work of the SPTO seeks gender balance in its various training and development initiatives.

“Last but not the least we pledge to collaborate with regional implementing organisations such as UN Women and CROP agencies on programmes that will benefit women in tourism.”

The CEO was responding to a presentation on women made by Preeya Ieli of UN Women who was invited to speak to the staff at a special morning tea organized to commemorate International Women's Day.

Ms. Ieli thanked the SPTO for making the pledges to work towards more parity for women in the Pacific particularly in the tourism sector.

Hawai'i Tourism Launches First Consumer Brand Campaign for Australia

Hawai'i Tourism Oceania has launched its first ever consumer brand campaign, spreading aloha direct to Australian travellers.

The dedicated digital brand campaign aims to build greater awareness of the different Hawaiian Islands and encourage visitors to spend more time, and travel more widely within the destination.

Hawai'i Tourism Oceania Country Manager Australia, Kerri Anderson, said that paradise was more than a picture postcard scene.

“It's a state of mind that starts with 'aloha', the spirit of the Hawaiian Islands that shines through in the welcoming smiles, friendly gestures and stories of Hawai'i handed down from generation to generation.

“With the help of popular culture, most Australians have some level of familiarity with Hawai'i and those who have been love the destination - in fact almost 45 percent of Australians who visit go back.

“This campaign showcases the depth and breadth of experiences across the neighbour islands beyond sun, surf and sand by highlighting the dramatic geographical diversity, and also the great food, culture, history and range of experiences on each island. Where else in the world can you be relaxing on the beach in the morning, hiking to waterfalls by lunchtime and watching the sunset and stargazing from a snow-capped peak in the evening?”

Ms Anderson said she was not surprised that the recently announced 2015 Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index rated Hawaiian residents as having the highest overall well-being of any state in the United States.

“Hawai'i is the happiest state in the US, and that is not only due to the natural beauty of the Hawaiian Islands but the all-encompassing welcoming warmth and love shown by the people of Hawai'i that epitomises the Aloha Spirit,” she said.

“Enjoyment, love, laughter and happiness are all very high on the priority list in Hawai'i and people who have travelled to the islands will understand this which is why they return again and again.”

Ms Anderson said the “Paradise begins with Aloha” digital campaign took visitors on a virtual tour of the Hawaiian Islands, curating their own dream trip by selecting the experiences that appealed to them across the four main islands of of O'ahu, Maui (incorporating the islands of Lāna'i and Moloka'i), Kaua'i and Hawai'i, the Big Island.

Encompassing everything from hiking the crater rim trail that circles the summit of Kilauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes on Hawai'i, the Big Island; to taking a helicopter flight to see the spectacular waterfalls, forests and canyons on Kauai Island; absorbing the history, culture and thriving food and arts scene in downtown Honolulu and experiencing sunrise in the clouds at the top of Haleakala crater on Maui. After selecting their itinerary they will then be in the running to win a dream trip for four people including airfares and accommodation.

Flight Centre was also chosen as a retail partner to provide a range of compelling deals.

“The campaign also aims to push visitation during off-peak periods throughout the year,” Ms Anderson said.

“We have just recorded our third consecutive record-breaking year of visitor growth and Australia is Hawai'i's third largest international market so our aim is to keep these numbers growing, for both first time and repeat visitors.”

To view the microsite please visit: http://www.experiencealoha.com.au/

Happy Chinese New Year from SPTO

The South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) would like to extend its best wishes for a happy and prosperous Chinese New Year to all Chinese nationals and disaspora.

SPTO Chief Executive Ilisoni Vuidreketi said the Chinese New Year remains one of the most auspicious occasions in Chinese communities as it is the beginning of the lunar calendar year.

“As we celebrate Chinese New Year we are reminded about the increasing trend of Chinese visitor arrivals into our 17 Pacific Island member countries as China remains the largest emerging market for our region.”

“In the third quarter of 2015, 39,918 Chinese tourists visited the region, indicating a 77.9% from the same period in 2014. This positive growth has been consistent over the last 5 years and we are excited about the future prospects of this growth.”

“Our Pacific region usually records a peak in Chinese visitor arrivals during this period as Chinese travel to welcome the New Year with family and friends, however this is traditionally a low visitor arrival season for the region. This trend, we believe will be further heightened by the Rosie Tours and Fiji Airways direct chartered flights from China in 2016.”

“These private sector driven initiatives compliment the marketing and promotional campaigns of the National Tourism Offices in the Pacific region that are working to increase Chinese visitor arrivals to our islands. We congratulate Rosie Tours and Fiji Airways for their continued initiatives to push the Chinese market and we look forward to more such private sector partnerships. ”

Kiribati Has Potential as Game Fishing Haven

A recent study conducted by the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) revealed that the idyllic island of Kiribati has the potential to become top fishing tourism destinations.

A fact finding mission funded by the European Union was carried out in Kiribati to seek the potential viability and readiness of Kiribati as a fishing destination for Australian visitors.

The initiative was launched as part of the cyclone Pam rehabilitation assistance for Kiribati.

Stefan Hansson, General Manager of Fishabout, a fishing travel specialist agency in Australia, visited Kiribati and conducted an exploratory survey on Abaiang, Nonouti islands and Tarawa.

Hasson's visit found that Kiribati is an excellent fishing destination with the potential to offer many styles of travel fishing products, including bluewater, marlin, one fish and fly fishing, particularly on the outer islands. However, safety standards and product quality will have to be improved.

Christmas Island, is the only island on Kiribati renowned for its fishing tourism and has a more developed fishing tour operation.

SPTO Chief Executive Ilisoni Vuidreketi said, “We are pleased to be able to offer travelers to Kiribati an insight into one of the best fishing spots in the world and we believe that this will help tourists that love to fish, choose the island as a future fishing holiday destination.”

“Our assistance is also aimed at assisting the Kiribati National Tourism Office with preliminary data that will enable them to look into a feasible tourism product and markets best suited for Kiribati and its visitors”.

“Fishing tourism is a niche market and Kiribati offers the more astute tourists looking to spend their holiday fishing, a great adventure in one of the Pacific's smallest and most remote islands.”

www.spto.org

Discover Ten 'Off the Beaten Track' Things to Do in Tuvalu

Tuvalu is considered one of the smaller 'off the beaten track' type destinations in the South Pacific and a recent traveler's blog published by the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) offers travelers an insight into 'ten things to do' on timeless Tuvalu.

The traveler's blog is a result of a travel familiarization initiative funded by the European Union to facilitate the production of travel blogs and articles to assist the tourism industry in Tuvalu recover following the severe tropical cyclone Pam, which struck Tuvalu in March 2015.

Australian travel writer Louise Southerden visited Tuvalu and captured in the traveler's blog some interesting discoveries about her visit to one of the most remote nations in the world.

SPTO Chief Executive, Ilisoni Vuidreketi, said the articles written by Louise Southerden of Australia provide wonderful insights into travel in Tuvalu.

“We thought it best to send a travel writer to Tuvalu to experience for herself the different tourism activities on the ground because we have noted that travelers enjoy stories based on real time experiences.”

“The blog on 'Ten things to do in Tuvalu' is a well written piece that provides an 'off the beaten track' experience that one would only find in Tuvalu and that's what makes this timeless paradise unique.”

“We are pleased to be able to offer travelers to Tuvalu an insight into what they can find and do and we believe that this will help tourists choose the island as one of the must-see and visit island destinations in the world.”

The traveler's blog can be found at www.spto.org/blogs/item/4261-10-things-to-do-in-tuvalu