The Travel Bug 29

Issue 29 - July 2007

Vanuatu TV Stories Travel Video Award Nomination

WeShow.com has announced that two videos on Vanuatu by Vanuatu.tv have been selected among millions on the internet to be one of the ten best travel videos of the month in the USA. Click here to view the top ten videos! Vanuatu.tv is an internet based TV station dedicated to bringing Vanuatu customs, tourism and business via professionally produced television programming via the Internet. Vanuatu.tv is also a private sector member of south-pacific.travel. Visit their website www.vanuatu.tv for more information. (Source: south-pacific.travel)

Kokoda Trail Lures Aussie Travellers

The challenges of walking the war time Kokoda Track continues to lure more tourists with a record 900 tourists walking the 96 kilometre track in April. They were dominated by young Australians, many of them appreciating more the historical significance of the track in the defence of their country and now walking in the footsteps of their heroes. The beaches of Gallipoli is thousands of miles away and many Australians now find Kokoda a more rewarding experience as 400 of the trekkers attended the ANZAC Day services at the picturesque Bomana War Memorial outside Port Moresby. Another 300 attended a moving service at Isurava Memorial along the track as the first light of dawn pierced through the mist covered valleys. As at April some 1200 trekkers have walked the Kokoda Track. (Source: PNGTPA Newsletter Issue 3 – June 2007)

The Pacific at Shanghai World Expo 2010

A delegation of Pacific representatives recently met with World Expo 2010 Organisers to discuss the participation of the Pacific Islands at the event. The Pacific Islands representatives were Peter Dawkins (ICT and Planning Manager of south-pacific.travel), Glynis Miller (Trade Commission Liaison Officer of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat) and Rohan Ellis (Trade Representative of the Pacific Islands Forum Trade Office, Beijing). The Pacific delegation proposed plans of the possibility of a joint Pacific Pavilion at the World Expo 2010 representing the Pacific Islands states with south-pacific.travel and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat as the main facilitators and coordinators. The Deputy Director of Shanghai World Expo 2010, Professor Zhou Hanmin, thanked the Pacific representatives for the inspiring and ambitious concept, however also noted that there are a number of technical issues that need to be addressed surrounding the proposed regional participation due to the governance of World Expos by BIE, the international organisation that oversees world expos. south-pacific.travel’s ICT and Planning Manager Peter Dawkins said “the Shanghai organisers assured us of their fullest support for an impressive display by the Pacific at the World Expo in 2010. At the moment we are considering a large shared space for the Pacific of around 6,000 square metres that will feature a large lagoon containing islands for each country interconnected by bridges and canoe rides. World Expo 2010 is a major promotional opportunity for the Pacific as we expect Chinese tourist arrivals to the Pacific will be gathering steam by this time”. (Source: south-pacific.travel)

Air New Zealand Code Share with Shanghai Airlines

Air New Zealand has announced it will commence reciprocal codeshare flights with Shanghai Airlines effective from 1 July 2007. The agreement will see Shanghai Airlines codeshare on Air New Zealand’s services between Shanghai and Auckland and selected New Zealand domestic services. In return Air New Zealand will code-share on selected Shanghai Airlines Domestic China services that operate from Pudong Airport in Shanghai. Air New Zealand Group General Manger International Airline Ed Sims said that Air New Zealand was very pleased to have reached agreement with Shanghai Airlines, which will join the Star Alliance in December 2007. Mr Sims says the code share, which follows news earlier this week that Air New Zealand will commence reciprocal codeshare flights with Air China from 1 July 2007, will open up both the Chinese and New Zealand markets to a greater audience. Mr Sims says Air New Zealand continues to enjoy strong uptake on its new direct route between Auckland and Shanghai. The airline currently operates three times weekly services to Shanghai increasing to five times weekly from 29 October 2007. (Source: Air New Zealand Media Release 19/06/2007)

China 2008 Tourism Outlook

China is fast becoming one of the world’s most dynamic tourism market, and with the upcoming 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2010 Shanghai Expo, the industry is projected to witness further growth. Now there is an opportunity to further explore what this dynamic market has to offer at the China Tourism Outlook 2008 (CTO2008). CTO2008 is set to provide a unique platform for intellectual discourse in order to answer these questions and to discuss other pressing issues regarding the travel and tourism industry in China in particular, and the world in general. Senior government officials from CTA and CNTA will be present to address the latest regulatory issues on development of China travel industry. Through various sessions such as keynote presentation, case study, interactive panel discussion, one on one business meeting and the cocktail party, participants will hear the perspectives of leading tourism executives from each geographical sub-region. (Source: south-pacific.travel)

The Hunt for Big Fish in PNG

American Larry Dahlberg has hooked every big fish imaginable in every corner of the world but there was one mighty fish he hadn't tried yet - the Niugini Bass. So mid-April he travelled from theUnited States to Baia Wilderness Lodge in West New Britain to lure in that one fish that has captured his imagination for all these years. A friend who visited Papua New Guinea 11 years ago had told him about this tough fish that snaps lines with such power and ferocity. "I am very excited about this trip because Niugini Bass is supposed to be one of the toughest fish in the world and I am here to find out," said Dahlberg. He has been to 77 countries and caught every big fish "you ever heard of and many you never heard of". Dahlberg who begun his love affair with fishing as a 11 year old started The Hunt for Big Fish in 1991 and its television segment has about 1 million viewers in the US every week. "I love fishing, big fish make my heart beat faster," he says with excitement. (Source: PNGTPA Newsletter Issue 3 – June 2007)

Investment Partnership Opportunity in Fiji

Namuka Bay Lagoon Resort is located on a white sandy beach and at present there are four bures and three units. The resort will be going under construction from September to add 40 bed units for backpackers, a restaurant and a Dining room plus budget 5 double and 2 single units. After October the resort will be building 10 twin bungalows and after 6 months an extension would be made for another 30 double units and will go for a 3 ½ star level with all luxuries and a swimming pool. Namuka Bay Lagoon Resort is looking for an investor who can invest and operate the resort and the terms and conditions of operation are negotiable. Namuka Bay Lagoon Resort also have 3 blocks of land with 3 titles precisely 9 acres 12 acres and 31 acres. For further information and for the view of the resort please log on to their website: www.namukabaylagoon.com.fj or e-mail: touristinfofj@connect.com.fj (Source: south-pacific.travel)