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It comes as no surprise that one destination that fared better than most during the global financial crisis was Fiji. A particular hit with the Australian and New Zealand markets, interest in Fiji is also growing from other international markets. Indeed, according to a recent Pacific Asia Travel Association study, tourists from South Africa to Fiji will grow by an amazing 58 per cent within the next two years.
For Australians and New Zealanders, Fiji continues to be a relatively affordable home away from home not only with the general travel market but the business events sector. For many it is a repeat destination thanks to its high level of safety, great accommodation, affordability and, of course, its people whose gentle nature fit so well in a resort-style destination.
Those who haven’t been to Fiji for a while would be surprised at the changes that have been undertaken, particularly close to the airport in the Denarau Island area.
Just minutes from the airport at Nadi, Denarau Island is the largest integrated resort in the South Pacific offering a variety of accommodation in premier resorts and activities including golf and water-based pursuits, particularly centred around the marina.
While it does not offer the pristine water found further south along the so-called Coral Coast, some of the resorts’ stunning pools are enough to keep water lovers entertained for days.
One of the new key properties on Denarau is the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa which offers the largest conference facilities in Fiji, capable of seating up to 794 guests. The Grand Ballroom can host up to 640 guests for dinner, and there are eight additional break-out rooms.
In early May the Sofitel launched a new café called La Parisienne, a sidewalk French-style café, open seven days a week between 7am and 7pm and serving up simple, light and fast food. The café offers great coffee, café style breakfasts, simple yet stylish lunches and a delicatessen perfect for those in transit or on the go.
La Parisienne has been created to complement Sofitel’s other dining and bar options which include the award-winning Salt restaurant for informal a la carte, Lagoon buffet restaurant, Breeze Bar, Latitude 17 cocktail bar and formal signature dining restaurant ‘V’.
The new café comes after the successful launch of Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa’s other new addition – the world’s first dedicated Pure Fiji concept store – in January. Devoted entirely to Pure Fiji, the concept store displays and sells the brand’s luxurious line of personal and pampering products which extend to skin, hair and body care.
Famous for offering a variety of fragrances such as frangipani, starfruit, coconut, mango, passion flower, white gingerlily, and pineapple, Pure Fiji has also launched a new fragrance – coconut milk and honey – and has created an exclusive orange blossom fragrance unique to the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa to use throughout public spaces within the hotel and as in room amenities.
An international success story, Pure Fiji is the only cosmetic manufacturing company in the South Pacific and passionately advocates pure natural products while respecting the people, culture and environment. Still a family run business, Pure Fiji’s sustainable manufacturing practices help support seven villages and funds schools, health care, nutrition and basic infrastructure for hundreds of people in rural Fiji. To learn more about the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa visit www.sofitelfiji.com.fj.
One company also doing great things in the convention and incentive travel business is Sigatoka River Safari which, as the name suggests, gives participants a unique river safari; something that is clearly different to the seaside opportunities available in Fiji.
Sigatoka River Safari normally caters for a maximum of 70 passengers daily across morning and afternoon tours, however, earlier this year it pulled out all the stops to cater for a group of 280 delegates.
Sigatoka River Safari’s Jay Whyte said the large group was a real buzz for the team despite the larger than average size.
“We simply split everyone into groups of 35 and staggered four tours throughout the day over two days. Each group went to a different village, so four villages were visited each day instead of two,” he said.
The adventure began when the delegates were picked up from their resort and transferred to Sigatoka town. After a quick shop, they boarded mini buses that took them on a bumpy ride to the Sigatoka River.
They then rode along the Sigatoka River in a custom built jet-boat. Each group had their own driver and guide who told stories of the history, customs and legends of the Fijian people and area as the boat made its way along the river.
Once the jet-boat reached its destined village, passengers were greeted by a representative of the village, taken on a tour of the village and visited the chief’s bure where they took part in a kava ceremony and were treated to a traditional Fijian lunch.
The village visit ended with traditional Fijian singing and dancing with the Fijian children before passengers boarded the jet boats for a thrilling ride back down the river.
To learn more visit www.sigatokariver.com.
Captain Cook Cruises’ small cruise ship, MV Reef Endeavour, has recently replaced the MV Reef Escape in Fiji and now accommodates all three, four and seven night Fiji islands cruises offering larger capacity and more facilities for passengers and making her the perfect choice for companies looking at combining a cruise into their next Fijian meeting or incentive reward.
Captain Cook Cruises made the decision to deploy the MV Reef Endeavour, which was previously in service on the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, to Fiji to meet the growing demands of the MICE market.
“We wanted to bring the Reef Endeavour to Fiji so we could meet customers’ expectations and continue offering our popular Fiji cruise itinerary as a meeting, conference and incentive venue for larger groups,” explains Nicole Friedler, director of sales, charters and events for Captain Cook Cruises.
At 73 metres in length and 3000 tonnes the MV Reef Endeavour is a larger ship than the MV Reef Escape accommodating 150 passengers. Like the Reef Escape it was purpose-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 more cruise facilities including two spas on the sun deck, a mini gym as well as a swimming pool, sauna, day spa, glass bottom boat, cocktail bar, dining saloon, lounge area, library, gift shop and choice of accommodation.
Reef Endeavour boasts fantastic conference facilities, featuring a reef room that can accommodate 60 delegates. Larger groups can utilise the dining room and Lizard Lounge for their meetings.
To learn more email charters@captaincook.com.au or visit www.captaincook.com.au.
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