The Travel Bug 26

Issue 26 - April 2007

Vanuatu’s Paradise Pleasure Tours Explores South West Bay

Paradise Pleasure Tours in Vanuatu would like to let everyone coming to Vanuatu know that they are offering a very exiting tour. South West Bay is an area from Malekula, where the dancers are originated. You don't have to fly to Malekula to watch this dance. We will perform at Bamboo nakamal in Port Vila. The South West Bay custom dance is one of the most popular custom dances in Vanuatu." So here is an ideal opportunity for visitors to watch this popular custom dance at a very low fee. Paradise Pleasure Tours have friendly guides, who will let you know more about other ceremonies. For more information or direct bookings, contact them on Phone:+678 56936 or email: kaitipk@yahoo.com.au

Support for Solomon Islands after Earthquake

A powerful earthquake measuring 8.1 on the Richter scale followed by a strong tsunami struck Gizo the capital of Western Province and other areas in Western and Choiseul provinces in the Solomon Islands on 2 March 2007 at about 0730am. Properties, buildings and homes were devastated in these affected areas. Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands, 350km away was unharmed. The tourism facilities and infrastructure in Gizo experienced minor damages. Telecommunication has been normal in addition to hotel and accommodation operations being open for business. Gizo airport was today reopened and flights have resumed with relief supplies being flown in from overseas and other parts of the Solomon Islands. Two private sector members located in Western Province, Sanbis Resort and Uepi Island Resort both escaped major damage. All Scuba dive gear is in top condition at Sanbis Resort and all operations at Uepi Island Resort are normal. General Manager of the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau (SIVB), Mr Michael Tokuru said “SIVB is hopeful that the high level of assistance from Government, business houses, aid donors and local and overseas friends will enable the tourism industry and the country to recover from the devastation within a relatively short-period of time”. (Source: south-pacific.travel)

Vanuatu Institute of Technology Vacancies

The Vanuatu Institute of Technology (VIT) is looking for dynamic and highly motivated individuals to join the team at the new Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure Training Centre (HTLTC) which will be opened in April 2007. Suitably qualified persons are invited to apply for the following positions:
1. Deputy Training Centre Manager
2. Trainer in Culinary Arts and Pastry
Successful applicants should be available to start work immediately. For further details and to apply, interested persons should contact Christel at 26830 or lessa@vanuatu.com.vu to collect an information pack. A competitive remuneration package is being offered to the right candidate. Previous applicants must re-apply if they wish to be considered.

Surfing Growth in PNG

PNG Prime Minister Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare was pleasantly surprised at the growth of the surfing movement in Papua New Guinea. Opening the 2007 PNG National Surfing Titles in Vanimo on Feb 15, Sir Michael said after 20 years, PNG surfing has developed against all odds and has proven that it should be supported by both the industry and the government as a sport and a niche tourism product for the country. Surfing Association of PNG President Andy Abel said the inaugural titles attended by about 200 surfers was the result of 20 years of dedication and hard work. The World Bank also presented SAPNG with its Strategic Development Master Plan which was developed with input from all SAPNG affiliated clubs around the country and will guide the development of surfing as a sport in parallel with surf tourism. (Source: PNGTPA Monthly Newsletter Issue 02 – March 2007)

Samoa Converts Fishing Vessel into Floating Restaurant

Construction work is now underway with the new Yachting Marina at Matautu Beach fronts, SPA has now tendered out the conversion of one of its fishing vessel, Vaamooia I, to be turned into a floating oceanic restaurant to be moored alongside the marina. The dining craft will be a centerpiece for the multimillion dollar "Marina" development set to be completed by August in time for the South Pacific Games. Minister for SPA, Hon, Tuisugaletaua Sofara Aveau says that SPA engineers had conducted structural studies of the vessel and have concluded that it is most ideal for the proposed project. He also stated that these 2 projects signal another milestone in the development of Apia and a step forward in the country's growing tourism industry. (Source: Samoa Tourism Authority Newsletter - 01/03/2007)

South Pacific Village Shines at Berlin 2007

The South Pacific Village at the recent ITB 2007 in Berlin, Germany has been rated a huge success by the countries that participated and the private sector partners of the countries. There were more that 30 different companies and properties represented at the Show. There were 7 countries altogether exhibiting under the South Pacific Islands banner. south-pacific.travel represented the member countries that could not attend as well as its private sector members. Although there is room for further improvements to the South Pacific Village, the participants at the 2007 show have generally expressed satisfaction with the key aspects of the ‘Village’ such as stand location, stand space, stand design, decoration and the general business network they have established during the show. south-pacific.travel will be working closely with all its member countries again towards a better and improved South Pacific presence at ITB 2008. (Source: south-pacific.travel)

Air New Zealand ‘grabaseat’ LA fares gone in 55 minutes

The first long-haul destination offered through Air New Zealand grabaseat was sold out in under an hour, with New Zealanders snapping up the 220 ludicrously low $496 return fares to Los Angeles. The Los Angeles fare went live on the grabaseat page of the airnz.co.nz website this morning, causing a flurry of online activity. Air New Zealand’s grabaseat was launched in July 2006 with more than 4000 domestic fares sold in the first week. Since then grabaseat has been extended to include Australia, the Pacific Islands and now, for the first time, a long-haul destination. Air New Zealand General Manager Marketing Steve Bayliss says the airline is delighted by the response to today’s offer. “LA is one of our most popular destinations and we know Kiwis and their families love to holiday there.” Air New Zealand grabaseat is designed to make travel more accessible to Kiwis by offering fares well below the airline’s every day low fare prices. Mr Bayliss says that traffic to www.airnewzealand.co.nz has more than doubled since the grabaseat initiative was launched. The Los Angeles fare had a maximum stay of five days, and Mr Bayliss said the initiative would help the airline assess the appetite from holidaymakers for short visits to long-haul destinations. One of the great features of grabaseat is that once online, Kiwis are able to view a seat countdown, in real time, for each route, so they instantly know if special fares are still available. For more information and to seek out a grabaseat deal visit: www.airnewzealand.co.nz (Source: Air New Zealand Media Release 30/03/2007)