News

Across the world – including here in the Pacific region – countries are now beginning to look at how to ease travel restrictions that were put in place to limit the spread of COVID-19. As vaccines roll out, international travel begins to resume between Australia and New Zealand and discussions of a ‘Pacific […]

The New Zealand government is looking to hold talks with Pacific counterparts about how to distribute Covid-19 vaccines in the region. Medical authorities in New Zealand have already approved the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine for use to immunise people 16 years and older. “We’ll be really looking to have conversations with […]

Fiji is continuing to push for a travel bubble between its major tourist markets Australia and New Zealand. Fiji’s borders have been closed since last March and with New Zealand and Australia still battling Covid-19 cases at home, the wait may be longer. But the government said Fiji had proven […]

THE WORLD TRAVEL & TOURISM COUNCIL (WTTC) IS CALLING FOR GOVERNMENTS TO ABANDON THE CONCEPT OF ‘HIGH-RISK COUNTRIES’ AND INSTEAD FOCUS ON INDIVIDUAL TRAVELLERS. As the world continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, the WTTC said governments should redefine their whole approach to risk assessment to revive international travel. […]

The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) has contracted Rosie Holidays to conduct training programmes for selected Small Island States and Territories (SIST) in the region. Focused on Inbound Travel Management and Small and Micro Enterprise Business Recovery, the trainings are part of a joint CROP programme on capacity building for Small […]

In response to the widespread and significant impacts of COVID-19 on the Pacific tourism industry, The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) has launched SPTO Jobslink. The initiative aims to bridge the gap between unemployed tourism workers and employers throughout the region, via a free and easy to use website. The SPTO […]

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati’s (TAK) 2020 Quarter 4 Tourism Review Report is now available in the Resource Centre of TAK’s corporate website. The report contains domestic travel data and highlights maritime and air travel numbers, quarantine and repatriation information and domestic tourism supply for Kiribati. The report highlights a […]

“Many people are already actively planning their next big trip,” said one travel expert. “And it is not too early to book for 2022, especially with trip protection.” As the pace of Covid-19 vaccinations is ramping up, so is consumer confidence — and with it, a surge in travel bookings […]

Speaking in Parliament, Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said the Global Tourism Crisis Committee had called for a vaccine passport. Sayed-Khaiyum said the passport should serve as an essential travel document to help restart global tourism. He said it was also important that every eligible Fijian registered for vaccination. The minister said […]

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings suspended all voyages embarking through May 31. This applies to Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises embarking through May 31. Passengers are asked to contact their travel advisor or the cruise line for more information. (Source; Sea Trade Cruise news 16 February […]

Top names in expedition cruising are booked for Seatrade Cruise Virtual’s Expedition Cruising keynote session on March 8. They include Sven-Olof Lindblad, CEO, Lindblad Expeditions; Geoffrey Kent, founder and co-chairman, Abercrombie & Kent Group of Companies; Roberto Martinoli, president and CEO, Silversea Cruises; Asta Lassesen, CEO, Hurtigruten Expeditions; and Hervé Bellaiche, chief sales, marketing and […]

Blue Lagoon Cruises is excited to offer three amazing new cruise itineraries, especially for Fiji Locals to explore some of the remote regions and destinations that we wouldn’t normally visit.  Our new 7 night cruise will depart from Port Denarau and for the first time, we will be offering 2 departures from Suva […]

The President of P&O Cruises Australia, Sture Myrmell, has specially thanked Ni Vanuatu crew member, Serah Taravaki, who is today being reunited with family and friends after completing international arrival quarantine, for her selfless efforts in helping to get many of her seafarer colleagues home. Ms Taravaki could have gone home […]

The United Nations International Maritime Organization (IMO), with the funding support of Norway, and in partnership with the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), will implement a Global Programme entitled GloLitter Partnerships (GLP) Project which aims to assist developing countries prevent and reduce marine plastic litter from the maritime transport […]

When the coronavirus pandemic took hold in India, there were fears it would sink the fragile health system of the world’s second-most populous country. Infections climbed dramatically for months and at one point India looked like it might overtake the United States as the country with the highest case toll. But infections […]

The  SPTO has provided financial support to representatives from the national tourism offices of the Cook Islands, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Vanuatu and the Republic of the Marshall Islands to undertake a month long training offered by the GSTC. The GSTC Sustainable Tourism Training Program (STTP) offers practical insights and effective […]

The Samoa Tourism Authority (STA) continues to implement the SAT$1million Phase II of the Government Stimulus Package for Tourism and Hospitality, in conducting a capacity building and development programme through training courses. As the leading implementing agency, the Authority has been working in partnership with the National University of Samoa […]

In the past week over 1000 stakeholders have registered on the Solevaka platform, to contribute to the regional Sustainable Tourism Policy Framework, currently being developed by the appointed consultants TRC Tourism for the Pacific Tourism Organisation, in partnership with New Zealand Foreign Affairs & Trade (NZMFAT) and the United Nations […]

After a year without cruises, passengers are eager to get back out on the high seas. After Oceania Cruises’s 180-day World Cruise for 2023 became available for booking on Jan. 27, the trip sold out in less than one day. “The response to our epic 2023 around the world voyage clearly illustrates […]

Flights from Fiji, New Zealand and Australia to Tonga have been postponed to next month due to managed quarantine period changes. The flights were scheduled for February the 25th, but have now been moved to March the 3rd. Matangi Tonga reports the new rule requires repatriated passengers to be in managed […]