The Travel Bug 21

Issue 21 - November 2006

Nomads Moorings Hotel Update - Vanuatu

“Quite simply Nomads is melding together the world’s happiest travellers to the country voted the World’s happiest*”, says Nomads founder Richard McLeod. Richard together with Fiji’s largest hotel developers the Reddy Group and Gold Coast developers Ernie and Justin Johnson will open a hotel situated on Port Vila Harbour that will appeal to a wide range of intrepid travellers. Nomads is an experienced travel provider in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. Travel around the islands of Vanuatu with Nomads and you will feel like you have traveled to a multitude of different countries and cultures. The rooms at the new hotel are modern, ranging from deluxe queens, budget doubles and budget family rooms to 4 share and 6 share rooms for backpackers and adventure travel groups or students. All have private bathrooms. Socialise in the new Moo’s Bar + Grill or the famous Traders Nightclub. For more information contact Richard McLeod – richard@nomadsworld.com (Source: Nomads Moorings Hotel Vanuatu Press Release)

New ESTA Committee for Santo, Vanuatu

The Espiritu Santo Tourism Association has a new executive committee since September 2006. The Vanuatu Tourism industry welcomes onboard the following newly elected ESTA committee members: Chairperson - Jennifer Spry, Vice Chair - Phill Jones, Secretary - Mal Davis, Treasurer - David Carmen, Luke Tokar and Timmy Rovu. Espiritu Santo - "A Unique & Special place in the Land of the Holy Spirit". (Source: Vanuatu Tourism Tribal Drum Newsletter September/October 2006)

Aussies Take Fiji Ocean Swim Titles

In what turned out to be a battle of the Champions, 2004 World 25Km Open Water Swimming Champion, Brendan Capel edged current World 25Km Champion, Josh Santacaterina in both the 3km and 10Km events held off Mana Island Resort last weekend as part of the Fiji Ocean Swim Festival weekend. In the 3Km event held on Saturday in the clear waters off Mana's magnificent North Reef, the pair took an early lead swimming stroke for stroke for much of the way. With around 700m to go, Brendan upped the pace slightly and edged away from Josh to win in 35 Minutes 17 Seconds and Josh second in 35:46. Meanwhile around 250m back there was also a battle on for 3rd & 4th place with Ben Cambell-McDonald from New Zealand and Australia's Brett Tyack neck and neck until the final 50 metres to the beach where Ben put in a big effort and ran up the beach to finish 3rd and Brett 4th.The Women's race was dominated by Australian Open Water Swim Team member, Shelley Clark who won in 39:03 with Charmian Frend 2nd in 45:47 and Francoise Corier 3rd in 50:42. The 1.5Km event held on the same day featured Shelley's fellow Australian Team mate Trudee Hutchinson, who is recovering from a shoulder injury and opted to swim the shorter event. Trudee took out the 1.5Km with Fiji's Luke McGrath 2nd, Randall Barry 3rd and Australia's Zach Lohman 4th overall. Second and third females home were Fiji's Charrissa Panuve and Matelita Buadromo. A new addition to the Fiji Ocean Swim Festival Weekend this year was a 10Km race for individuals and Teams of 5 swimmers. The individual course started with a 1Km loop off Mana's North Beach and Reef followed by an anti-clockwise circuit around Mana Island and finishing with another 2Km loop off the North Reef. The Teams Course was a 2Km circuit set off the North Reef. See www.pacificswims.com soon for a report and results and details of next years Fiji Ocean Swim Festival. Also see www.oceanswims.com for a report and pictures of the event. (Source: South Pacific Sports Promotions 26/10/2006)

Surfing Titles in January 2007 - PNG

The Papua New Guinea National Surfing Titles is being confirmed for January 10 - 15 2007 in Vanimo. Vanimo Surf Club will jointly host the titles with Sunset Surf Club at Lido Beach. Both clubs and nearby Yako Village have built beach bungalows with bush materials to give both local and international surfers a true village experience when surfing there. The titles will be used to select PNG's elite squad to the Pacific Games in Samoa in 2007. Surfers will represent Kavieng, Wewak, Port Moresby & the two host clubs of Vanimo and Sunset. (Source: PNGTPA Monthly Newsletter Issue 28 – October 2006)

Miss South Pacific Pageant Tickets on Sale (Samoa)

Tickets for the Miss South Pacific Pageant is now available from the STA Samoan Fale. It cost ST$30.00 per person with corporate tables selling at ST$1000.00 per 10 seat table and it will include free drinks and food and of course stage side seating. The venue for the pageant will be at the newly completed Aquatic Centre at the Tuanaimato Sports Complex. The seating for the night will be based on the first come first serve basis. Get yourself a ticket now to avoid last minute disappointments. For more information please contact the STA on phone 63540 and ask for Manager Marketing and Promotions, Sala Pio Tagiilima. (Source: Samoa Tourism Authority Newsletter October 2006)

PATA to Launch Chinese-language Forecasts at CITM

Pacific Asia Travel Association’s (PATA) first Mandarin-language Asia Pacific Tourism Forecasts report, published by PATA member China Travel & Tourism Press, will be launched during a media briefing at China International Travel Market 2006 (CITM2006). China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) Chairman Mr Shao Qiwei has invited PATA President and CEO Mr Peter de Jong to the event as a VIP guest. Visit PATA booth #5D09 -10 in Hall W5 to meet PATA China (PRC) Representative Ms Kate Chang and PATA Assistant Director-Membership Services Ms Nooch Homrossukhon. CITM will take place at Shanghai New International Expo Centre, November 16-19. Jointly organised by the CNTA, the Shanghai Municipality and the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China, the event is now the largest travel show in Asia in terms of the number of participants and stands. (Source: News@PATA 25/10/2006)