October 2008 Feature
Tropical Touchdown in Fiji
By Ann & Tom Burgess
Visitors to Fiji will hear the traditional Fijian greeting — “Bula” – once they touch down in this beautiful and friendly country. While all South Pacific islands are noted for warmth and hospitality, the Fijians go just one step further to make sure their guests are made welcome, and that their visit is a happy one. Fiji is a group of islands located north of New Zealand, that is a genuine tropical paradise. Accommodations vary from high-end luxury resorts, to very basic hostels.
Let clients know that there are three official languages: English, Fijian and Hindi and not to worry, all Fijians speak English. Fiji is a multi-cultural society. About half the people are indigenous Melanesians, and about 45% are East Indians, descendents of those brought in to work the sugar cane fields in the 1880’s. These diverse cultures are woven by British customs, a holdover from colonial days.
Most visitors will only see Viti Levu, the main island, but they will miss most of what Fiji has to offer. With over 300 islands in the Fijian Archipelago, there are many with excellent beaches, reefs and resorts. Beqa, Mamanuca, Vanua Levu, Taveuni and Yasawa are just of few of the islands that have superior beaches and reefs. However, moving around the islands requires good planning. The Fiji Tourist Bureau website, is an excellent resource for information to the hotels, transportation, activities and touring options.
What to Do & Where to Stay
Besides water sports, golf is also popular here, as Fiji is the home of top professional golfer Vijay Singh. Sightseeing, hiking, tennis, fishing, sailing and horseback riding are other activities readily available to tourists. No trip to Fiji would be complete without a visit to a Fijian village; many hotels arrange visits to them. A special Fijian treat not to be missed is the lovo. This is the local island version of a luau and many hotels, such as the Shangri-la Fijian, will contract a local village to host an under-the-stars feast.
Spa experiences are also blossoming in Fiji. Your clients will certainly enjoy a visit to a spa such as Pure Fiji, which not only has a wide range of treatments but creates their own coconut-based products on site. And don’t forget this is THE place for your clients to quaff Fiji Water, a Hollywood staple of dieting fashionistas.
Denarau Island Resort is a major resort area very close to Nadi. Sheraton, Westin, Hilton, Radisson and Sofitel all have large resort hotels here. The property also has condos, a golf and racquet club, restaurants, shopping, a full range of water sport activities, and a marina where you can catch a fast catamaran to the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands. The beaches are not the best here, but its proximity to the airport makes it a good place to start a vacation before venturing to Fiji’s other islands. Visit www.denarau.com
With about 450 rooms, Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort & Spa is the largest resort hotel in Fiji. It occupies an entire small 100 acre island on the south or “Coral Coast” of Viti Levu. Its clear lagoon has the best beaches and reefs on Viti Levu. The Fijian has a full range of amenities, including tennis and a nine-hole golf course. Chi, a new Spa, opened in 2007, features a full range of services. Visit www.shangri-la.com
Royal Davui Island Fiji is located on Beqa Island. This full service facility luxury resort has only sixteen units. Beqa Island is world famous for its scuba diving, with several good sites that feature both hard and soft corals. The surfing is also excellent here, but only for experienced surfers. Visit www.royaldavui.com
Malolo Island Fiji is one of the resorts in the Mamanuca Islands that caters to families and is particularly well-suited to small children. The facility also has babysitting and laundry services. Visit www.maloloisland.com
Turtle Island resort is in the Yasawa Islands, and is considered to be the most beautiful in Fiji. It was the location for filming The Blue Lagoon, starring Brooke Shields. Rates include meals and activities, such as scuba diving. Children are not allowed except for holidays.Visit www.turtlefiji.com
Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort is possibly the “greenest” resort in Fiji, this property is set on Savusavu Bay on the island of Vanua Levu. The resort has a great educational program for children and many environmentally oriented activities. Visit www.fijiresort.com
Matangi Island Resort is family-owned and operated on Matangi Island, just northeast of Taveuni Island. Catering mainly to scuba divers, this resort is very close to some of the best dive locations in the world. It also offers many other water sport activities, but does not allow children under 12 years of age. Visit www.matangiisland.com
Getting There and Getting Around
Air Pacific (www.airpacific.com), Fiji’s national carrier flies from Los Angeles six times a week, from Honolulu three times a week and from Vancouver twice a week. Air New Zealand and Qantas also have regular flights most days of the week from Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Fiji has a very good transportation system, including airlines, rental cars, taxies, ferries and buses. Most major rental car companies are represented, but remind clients that in Fiji they drive on the left. Good air-conditioned buses are available for airport transfers to and from hotels. Local buses are basic, but frequent and inexpensive. Taxis are available, but few are metered. The government issues fixed rates, but visitors should ask the cost before departing.
Developing Your Expertise
Agents have a chance to learn more about Fiji by joining the Matai Fiji Specialist program, a destination loyalty program for travel agents selling Fiji that is designed to develop and guide Fiji travel specialists who have the passion and the desire to build Fiji as a holiday and business destination. The program is now available to U.S. agents.
For more information, contact the Fiji Visitors Bureau, 800-932-3454; E-Mail infodesk@bulafiji-americas.com; www.bulafijinow.com
February 2008 COVER Feature
Smile,You’re on Fiji
by Dannielle Hayes
My first trip to Fiji almost 20 years ago was in the wake of a coup, and despite the lack of tourists, the Fijians greeted us with wide welcoming smiles. I recall a full orchestra playing for a handful of guests at the then Regent Hotel and a thunderous rainstorm pelting the rooftop of the old Grand Pacific in Suva, reminding me of Somerset Maugham’s short story Rain. Today, a few coups later, the Fijians are still smiling and rightly so. Fiji has grown from a traveler’s stopover to Australia and New Zealand to a world-class destination, a paradise where anything is possible.
More than 300 islands make up this fabulous archipelago floating in the South Pacific blue, though most of them are uninhabited. The largest island, Vitu Levu boasts much of the resort development like the Coral Coast, Pacific Harbor, and the Nadi area including Denarau Island. To the north, the second and third largest islands, Vanua Levu and Taveuni are known for their smaller more intimate resorts with spectacular diving reefs. The Kadavu Group, Fiji’s fourth largest, lies about 60 miles south of Vitu Levu and is also great for divers. The Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands are peppered with backpacker resorts as well as a number of five-star properties. The outer islands including the Lau Group midway between Fiji and Tonga offer a back to nature experience only for the most adventurous.
For Lovers, Partners, Adults Only
For honeymooners and lovers, young or old, there is nothing like the new Likuliku Lagoon Resort (www. likulikulagoon.com), with Fiji’s first over-water bungalows. Meaning “sheltered or calm waters” in the local Malolo dialect, Likuliku has forty-six bures, ten suspended over the magnificent lagoon and the others lining the pristine beachfront, some with private plunge pools.
The heart of this adult-only luxury resort is a traditional Fijian canoe house which houses the Fijiana restaurant, lounge bar, private function room, guest lounge, wine cellar and wireless “hotspot” access. A gymnasium, day spa and infinity pool enhance the magic of Likuliku, which can be reached by fast-cat service from Denarau, helicopter, floatplane or speedboat.
Another tropical island paradise ideal for honeymoons is the five-star Royal Davui Resort (www.royaldavui.com) with 16 luxury villas. Accessed by helicopter or floatplane from Nadi or fast launch from Pacific Harbor, the Royal Davui villas feature separate living areas, dining decks and plunge pools from where you might spot dolphins and turtles below.
On Vanua Levu, the villa at the five-star Jean Michel Cousteau Resort and Spa (www.fijiresort.com) is one of Fiji’s most romantic. Set amid the palms on Coral point, the villa boasts a waterfall, spa pool, indoor and outdoor shower, his and hers vanities, internet and king-size bed with hot Indian silks off-setting the natural stone, marble and wood tones. An outdoor day bed overlooks the private plunge pool, dining area, beach and living/dining bure with kitchenette where the couple may have the chef prepare that special dinner for two. This elegant villa has just been named “Fiji’s Leading Suite” and the resort, “Fiji’s Leading Boutique Resort” by the 2007 World Travel Awards.
The award-winning Cousteau Resort, managed by Passport Resorts has just opened an ocean front spa bure along with two spa packages, Tropical Treat and Pacific Paradise. In keeping with their environment-friendly and socially responsible practices, the resort uses natural ingredients in the spa treatment and restaurant, and supports a number of health clinics in the nearby community of Savusavu.
The Cousteau also offers an active family program at their Bula Club or snorkeling together with Fiji’s first marine biologist, Johnny Singh. Daily adventures for families and couples to the Saturday market, rainforest nature walks, and cultural visits are led by Niumaia Kavika, the native “medicine man” who tells many wonderful Fijian legends. Guests can reach the Cousteau Resort by either Sun Air or Air Fiji from the Nadi Airport to Savusavu. Right now the Cousteau is offering a family special so that the first 2 children age 12 and under stay and eat free. Plus the resort offers 2 free nights, so the family stays for seven nights and pays for five. This offer is valid through March 15 and again from April 26 through May 2008.
For more family fun, Tia’s Treehouse at Malolo Island Resort (www.malolo island.com) is where it all happens for junior guests. Easily reached from Nadi International Airport by seaplane or fast catamaran, the intimate 4-star Malolo is one of the few resorts owned by a Fijian family. Comprised of just 49 bures, all with ocean views and steps from the sandy beach, the resort has three restaurants including a beach bar, a large buffet-style restaurant and Tree Tops for fine dining. There are two swimming pools, one for families, the other for adults only, as is the new Talei Lounge with internet connections. Tia’s Treehouse is complimentary for children 4-12 years and their nature-based excursions aim to educate children in the Fijian way of life, including Fijian language lessons.
Along Vitu Levu’s Coral Coast, there are a number of large hotel properties accommodating all ages. The Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort (www.shangri-la.com) located on Yanuca Island but connected to the mainland by a concourse, is surrounded by white sand beaches, blue lagoons and swaying palms. The Fijian has 436 guest rooms with family facilities and suites, as well as six new beach bures for couples only that include private golf buggy and butler service. There is a wedding chapel, a new spa facility called Chi and no less than five restaurants and three bars to tempt guests’ appetites.
Closer to Nadi International Airport on Denarau Island, is Accor Asia Pacific’s 296-room Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa (www.sofitelfiji.com.fj) features special family rooms, conference area for 720 guests , banquet facilities for 640 guests, a charming wedding chapel, and the Mandara Spa, one of Fiji’s best. For the ultimate in privacy, Sofitel’s Vomo Island Resort (www.vomofiji.com) is a 15-minute flight from Denarau Harbor and boasts 29 luxurious beachfront and hillside villas, perfect for honeymooners.
Cruise Voyages
For those who love to explore some of the lesser known Fijian islands, consider a voyage aboard Blue Lagoon Cruises or the Tui Tai. Blue Lagoon (www.bluelagooncruises .com) offers a wide variety of luxury boutique cruises ranging from a three -day/two-night Fiji Island Club Cruise to a seven-Day Live Aboard Dive Cruise to a seven-day/six-night Historical and Cultural Dateline Cruise. The latter trip ventures off the beaten track to the international dateline and the northeast tip of the Fijian Islands, so guests experience three different cultures; Melanesian, Micronesian and Polynesian. There are only three of these special cruises per year led by a professor of Pacific history. Blue Lagoon also offers combo packages in cooperation with Likuliku, Malolo and Navutu Stars Resorts and special romance packages for weddings, honeymoons and anniversaries.
In a more relaxed style, the Tui Tai (www.tuitai.com) is a 140-foot schooner ferry with a complete makeover using traditional furnishings and local hardwoods. Based in Savusavu on Vanua Levu, the Tui Tai has 12 spacious double staterooms, sundeck and indoor bars, dining area, spa, daybeds and delicious fresh cuisine. “Romancing the Stone” is their special 10-night honeymoon package.
Activities Beyond Romance
Fiji is famous for things to do and see. Visitors can snorkel over shallow reefs close to shore or scuba dive in some of the world’s most spectacular underwater reserves with over 1000 species of fish and coral. How about a trek in the tropical rainforests or exploring limestone caves?
Swimming or rafting in crystal clear rivers is perfect on a hot day or maybe a safari into the highlands to visit remote villages to partake in a traditional kava ceremony with the local chief. From the Coral Coast and Nadi hotels, families or agents can book a day trip with Adventures in Paradise (www.adventuresinparadisefiji.com). This small Fiji-owned company offers two fantastic tours, one to visit a legendary waterfall and the other to visit the awesome Naihehe Caves. Both tours are excellent and include AC hotel transfers, a visit to the village chief with kava ceremony, tour guides, lunch, beer, soft drinks and water. Children under five years are free and wholesale rates per adult from Nadi resorts are $67 and from Coral Coast resorts rates are $56.
There is also Suva, Fiji’s capital city to explore with maybe some shopping for local crafts. But whatever your clients choose to do or wherever they choose to stay on this island paradise, I guarantee that they’ll be greeted with a big Fijian “Bula” welcome and a wide pearly-white smile -- what could be better for business.
Getting There
American travelers arrive to Nadi International Airport on Vitu Levu aboard either Air Pacific, (www.airpacific.com), which has four non-stop flights out of Los Angeles or Air New Zealand, (www.airnew zealand.com) which flies once weekly from Los Angeles. Flight time is ten hours from Los Angeles to Fiji, but once you arrive and relax into Fiji time you’ll wonder why you hadn’t explored these islands before. Romantic honeymoons, family fun vacations, golf, diving or surfing tours, island cruising, incentive travel, conferencing facilities Fiji has them all.
For more information, contact the Fiji Islands Visitors Bureau call 310-568-1616; fax 310-670-2318; E-mail: infodesk@bulafiji-americas.com; or visit www.fijime.com, www.bulafijinow.com
Exclusive interview with Ili Matatolu February 2008 Cover Feature.
Interview with Ili Matatolu,
Fiji Islands Visitors Bureau, Regional Director
The 333 islands that comprise Fiji continue to have an elan because of its beauty, remoteness and image of the definitive “get away from it all” destination. Ili Matatolu advises agents on getting their clients to experience paradise on earth.
Why should travel agents send their clients to your destination?
This is a truly relaxing destination for all ages and experiences, a great value for money with one U.S. dollar buying FJD 1.55, a wide range of accommodations and vacation experiences, adventure travel options, and daily flights from LA…not to mention 300 islands from which to choose.
Are there any new attractions for travel agents to pitch to their clients?
Among the latest options and attractions are: whitewater rafting down Navua River with Rivers Fiji, Jet skiiing in what we call our adventure capital -- Pacific Harbour, kite surfing in Nananuira; surfing the Frigate's Passage, diving at the world's third largest reef ecosystem in the Great Astrolabe Reef in Kadavu, or visiting our cultured black pearl farm in Savusavu. Culturally, clients can spend a full day at the Arts Village in Pacific Harbour to discover more about Fijian culture and legends.
Any new accommodations?
We have brand new properties like the Radisson Resort Fiji Denarau Island, over-the-water bungalow Likuliku Lagoon Resort on Malolo Island in the Mamanucas, Fiji Beach Resort and Spa managed by Hilton; Pure Fiji Spa in the heart of Suva ( Fiji's capital city) or the Bebe Spa at the Outrigger Reef Fiji Resort and Spa.
Any new air service to report on?
Daily service is available from Los Angeles with codeshare between Air Pacific and Air New Zealand
What do you consider your destination's best selling point?
It is the most relaxed destination with the friendliest people in the world – and that is not an exaggeration.
How can travel agents learn more about your destination?
Agents can join our Destination Loyalty Program called the Fiji Matai Program where agents can gain in-depth knowledge on Fiji and boost their sales and revenue by registering for our program at http://www.bulafijinow.com/mataiagent/testingcenter.asp
Can you give us a description of clients that visit your country?
About 80% of our visitors are from the west coast while the numbers from the East coast are growing; only 9% of our visitors are families, but this segment is also growing. The majority of our arrivals are couples, 71% for rest and relaxation, 14% weddings and honeymoon with dive market providing 9% of U.S. traffic.
Tell us about some of your new marketing campaigns for 2008?
Consolidating our efforts to the west coast using the 80:20 principle, focusing on our key segments of weddings and honeymoon, dive, luxury/leisure market - our branding will be driven by our new FIJI ME brand positioning across our communications strategy.
We will also focus on public relations to assist our marketing goals - also looking at Web 2.0 like podcasting to reach more consumers and make use of market trends in particular how consumers are accessing information
How many Americans visited in 2007 compared to 2006 and what are your goals for the next five years?
We had a target of 71,000 from North America - our provisional stats for 2007 are not yet available, but don’t think we achieved that for several reasons including our budgets and resources and the overall slowing down of the economy. Our goal for 2008 is to maximize our opportunities from this market in line with our available resources - in particular, focusing on smart partnerships.
Any trends agents should watch?
We are seeing a wider range of luxury, adventure experiences and international award-winning resorts to open in Fiji like Marriott, InterContinental, and Accor.
What is the impression you would like visitors to take home?
That Fiji delivered and exceeded their expectations of a truly relaxing and life changing holiday experience and they will definitely return with family and friends as its so accessible from the west coast.
Visit www.FijiMe.com