A famil to Vomo Island Resort, managed by Sofitel, turned into a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experience recently when a special group of event managers and clients from across Australia and New Zealand were given the opportunity to release Vomo’s first captivity-bred Hawksbill turtle into the wild. The turtle – nicknamed ‘George’ by the island’s staff and Vomo turtle carer Wise – was the first of many one-year-old turtles rescued and raised on Vomo by its resident Fijian community. The five-star resort developed its Hawksbill Breeding Program in order to assist the struggling local turtle population achieve a better survival rate. The turtles have since become a popular feature for guests visiting the resort.
Above: Back – Renee Turley, Lisa Willson, Arron Money, Elliot Maher, Debbie Reneman guests of Emma McDonald (Eventi Management). Front – Jennie Burt (Air Pacific), Wise (Vomo’s Turtle “nanny”), Jane Reese (sales manager - Sofitel Vomo Island Resort).
After pumping millions of dollars into refurbishing a number of their New Zealand properties, Millennium Hotels & Resorts announced at an industry function at Sydney’s Tattersalls Club at the end of August that there are still several multi-million dollar upgrades on the cards for the second half of 2006 and beyond. One such refurbishment will see the Kingsgate Hotel Oriental Bay, Wellington becoming a four-star Copthorne Hotel as part of a NZ$10 million ‘top to toe’ program planned for early 2007. Other scheduled constructions include updates to bathrooms in all rooms of the Kingsgate Hotel Te Anau, the addition of 28 guest rooms and eight one-bedroom suites to the Kingsgate Hotel Autolodge, Paihia, and the addition of guest rooms to the Copthorne Hotel and Resort, Bay of Islands in 2007.
SKYCITY Catering & Events has successfully been appointed as preferred caterer to the Auckland Museum. The new Roof Top - Lion Foundation Events Centre is due to open on January 1, 2007. For details on this new centre contact Monique Gibson, catering and events manager off-site on +64 9 363 6243 or monique.gibson@skycity.co.nz
After a long and fruitful time of creating events in Fiji, Hannafords has set up shop in the popular Pacific Island destination. Carolyn Ah Koy will represent Hannafords Asia Pacific in Fiji, bringing with her a wealth of experience from both the travel and accommodation sectors of tourism. She will be available in Fiji for sales presentations and site inspections. Inspired by the climate, land and the Fijian culture, events have been designed by Hannafords in rainforests, sugar cane fields, beaches and Fijian villages – all within 30 minutes from the major five-star hotels. Events have also been designed so that most of the lighting, sound, props, theming and infrastructure is resourced from Fiji.
Less than 12 months since opening and The Sofitel Fiji has already played host to more than 100 events. This is not only good news for the resort but for Fiji as a whole which continues to be a popular destination for meetings and incentives, thanks in part to its safety as a travel destination.
Representation company, Destination Mark-eting Services has announced the addition of Connections Tourism Management, Mauritius to its portfolio. Mauritius is described as “the perfect conference and incentive destination” with no specific rainy season. It offers top of the range resorts with impeccable service, excellent meeting and conference facilities, and breathtaking views of some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Perth also make Mauritius an easily accessible destination.
Senior Vice President sales and marketing for Jin Jiang International Hotel Management Company (Jin Jiang Hotels), Michael Mead, has announced the first phase of its new online distribution strategy, a new corporate website www.jinjianghotels.com, has been launched. The site features more than 70 hotels and 24,000 rooms, across all star-rated categories throughout China. With online booking capacity and in four languages, the company has a strong desire to increase its share of the international market.
MEETINGS 2007, New Zealand’s only annual trade event for the MICE industry, is being held on July 25 and 26 at SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre. To secure hotel accommodation around this event call SKYCITY Grand Hotel or SKYCITY Hotel on +64 9 363 6000. The five-star, 316-room SKYCITY Grand Hotel is located directly above the SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre, and the four plus star, 344-room SKYCITY Hotel is located across the road.
The Singapore Tourism Board is committing S$170 million to finance a new business events incentive scheme to attract more events to Singapore. Called “BE in Singapore” this scheme aims to empower the industry to attract, bid for and grow a sustainable volume of strategic business events for Singapore. As part of the project the STB will embark on a three-year global marketing and advertising campaign for the MICE industry. The funds have been made available from the Government’s S$2 billion Tourism Development Fund.
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