The people have spoken! The world’s largest online travel community, tripadvisor has released results from its 2010 Travelers’ Choice survey and named Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji in the Top 3 of family resorts in the South Pacific.

Up against resorts from around Australia, Fiji and other South Pacific islands, Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji’s Top 3 placement was based on over 380 online guest reviews.

“The tripadvisor award is a fantastic accolade for us given it was based on unsolicited comments from guests who took the time to write reviews of their stays,” said Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji’s General Manager, Peter Hopgood.

“We value each and every guest review which enables us to build on our 5-star standing that is underpinned by a truly authentic Fijian experience,” he said.

Located just under an hour’s drive south of Nadi, Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji is popular with families based on its wide range of children’s activities that allows parents some ‘time out’.

The resort’s Little Riggers and Beach Riggers Kids Club caters for both littlies and older kids, and also has a dedicated babysitting service.

“To be recognised by guests is humbling and a great endorsement of the time and dedication we put into delivering an authentic Fijian experience,” Mr Hopgood added.
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GIVE ME A SMILE

Fiji’s National Airline, Air Pacific, today unveiled its new brand showcasing the airline’s new tag-line “The World’s Friendliest Airline”. In the coming weeks, advertising featuring the airlines’ employees portraying the Fijian spirit will launch. Air Pacific and its regional airline Pacific Sun are uniquely capable of this positioning due primarily to the wonderful reputation of the Fiji islands and their people.

Managing Director and CEO John Campbell said, “Our entire team at Air Pacific are excited about this new positioning. We come from the world’s friendliest place and this gives us the confidence to call ourselves the world’s friendliest airline. Thousands of travelers visit Fiji every year and experience the warmth and friendliness of our people. As Fiji’s international airline we deliver that genuine warmth with passion and pride. Our motivation is to offer the best of Fiji to all our guests. For Fiji customers traveling abroad you do not leave Fiji until you step off our aircraft and for everyone coming into Fiji, you are at home the moment you step on board and our crew welcome you with a friendly Fijian “Bula!”

Air Pacific’s new positioning complements Tourism Fiji’s “Fiji Me” brand which will be used extensively in overseas marketing campaigns to showcase the diversity of the Fiji experience and reinforce the special beauty of Fiji, our people.

The launch of Air Pacific’s and Pacific Sun’s new brand follows a number of initiatives targeted at providing greater value for customers

GREAT HOLIDAY SPECIALS FOR AUSSIES
Tourism Fiji has fired the first shots in its campaign to attract a record breaking 300,000 Australians to Fiji in 2010.

The national tourist office has combined resources with Air Pacific, key Fiji wholesalers and retailers to launch a new round of inclusive holiday packages via a three-week east coast capital city TV advertising campaign launched on 17 January.

The specials also include special children’s rates.

Wholesaler partners include Specialist Holidays, Jetset, Qantas Holidays and Travelworld.

Properties featured in the campaign are located on the Coral Coast, Denarau and the Pacific Coast and in the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands.

Valid for sale until 14 February with travel validity running from 01 February – 31 March, lead in prices for the packages are as follows:

Ex-Brisbane

$975 per person twin share for six nights based on a pay only three nights offer inclusive of return economy airfares, all accommodation, transfers and daily breakfast.

$99 per child under 12 inclusive of airfares, all accommodation, all meals and activities.

Ex-Melbourne

$999 per person twin share for six nights based on a pay only three nights offer inclusive of return economy airfares, all accommodation, transfers and daily breakfast.

$99 per child under 12 inclusive of airfares, all accommodation, all meals and activities.

Ex- Sydney

$865* per person twin share based on a four-day stay complete with return economy airfares, all accommodation, all meals and transfers.

$199* per child under 12 inclusive of airfares, all accommodation, all meals and activities.

As an extra bonus for Brisbane and Melbourne departures, all adult travellers also receive a FJD750 per person, bar, spa and/or hotel activity credit.

Tourism Fiji Regional Director Australia Paresh Pant said the main thrust of the campaign, while designed to motivate both travellers and trade, was intended to draw further attention to the incredible value Fiji continues to offer to Australian travellers.

FIJI TOURISM . ITS ALL ABOUT ME
FIJI ME VIDEO

MARRY ME. FIJI WEDDINGS AND HONEYMOONS

Fiji is an ideal place for weddings and honeymoons says Hong Kong’s wedding planner – Gloria Mak.

Mak who is the business director of Veronalex International Co. Ltd visited Fiji last week to see what Fiji has to offer for overseas honeymooners and people who are planning to get married in Fiji.

Mak says with the aggressive promotion they planning to do will see at least five hundred couples coming to Fiji from Hong Kong every year.

“And so when we were developing products for overseas markets actually the first destination I thought was Fiji and also from the news thing that direct flights (Air Pacific) are going to be launched in December, I decided to come over and with our efforts and promotions more people will know about Fiji, more people will be interested in coming for honeymoon and their weddings.”

Mak believes Fiji has something very different to offer to the people of Honk Kong.

“Even if there are old chapels in Fiji, they have different characteristics and am sure it will suit a large part of Hong Kong market – many different tastes, so yes I am hoping that with corporation from all these resorts and also the chapels, we are hoping that we can promote as many Hong Kong people as possible to come to Fiji as overseas wedding destinations.”
Her visits to resorts include

Mana Island,          

Sofitel Fiji,

Intercontinental Resort,

 Paradise Resort,

Outrigger Resort

Radisson Resort.

“Fiji is an ideal destination for Hong Kong citizens just like Australia. Many couples would like to come over to relax on the sandy beaches, the reefs, the sea, and the sunshine because it is something people don’t get in Hong Kong,” Ms Mak said. “Fiji is similar to Maldives, which is a very popular holiday destination.”

She says the direct flight launched by Air Pacific last year is a plus for the people of Hong Kong as their present wedding destinations Greece and Maldives has become too common for them.

Passengers already booked on 3, 4 and 7 night Captain Cook Cruises in Fiji are in for a rare treat with their cruise to take place on the MV Reef Endeavour. With the MV Reef Escape undergoing extensive refurbishment the MV Reef Endeavour set sail for Fiji on Sunday morning as part of the plan by Captain Cook Cruises to exceed passenger’s expectations.

The Reef Endeavour departed White Bay, Port Jackson, Sydney on Sunday 10 January and is expected to reach Fiji on Monday 18 January. The Reef Endeavour has an extensive crew of Australians, Fijians and an English Captain.

Captain Cook Cruises made the decision to employ the Reef Endeavour to Fiji after the MV Reef Escape sustained damage during Cyclone Mick in December and wanted to continue servicing its passengers.

“The Reef Endeavour will take over our normal Fiji cruise schedule from Saturday 6th February 2010.” Explains Nick Hortle, Captain Cook Cruises, CEO.

“We wanted to bring the Reef Endeavour to Fiji so we could meet customer’s expectations, continue offering our popular Fiji cruise itinerary and most importantly ensure passengers did not have to cancel any Fiji cruises booked with us throughout 2010.“Continues Mr Hortle.

The Reef Endeavour will operate until the Reef Escape’s refurbishment is completed.

The MV Reef Endeavour was previously in service on the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland. It is a larger vessel than the Reef Escape, accommodating 150 passengers but like the Reef Escape was purposely built and originally designed to navigate shallow waters making her the ideal ship to provide the same ‘up close and intimate’ cruise and cultural experience of Fiji’s Yasawa Islands.

The Reef Endeavour also offers similar cruise facilities including Tabua Stateroom, stateroom and cabin accommodation, swimming pool, two spas, sports deck, mini gym, sauna, glass bottom boat, cocktail bar, dining saloon, lounge area, library and a gift shop.