News

The Pacific Asia Travel Association has predicted, that even in the base case scenario, visitor numbers to the region will still be below 2019 levels in two years’ time. The finds are included in the just-released Asia Pacific Visitor Forecasts 2021-2023 report. The document includes three growth prospects for international visitor arrivals […]

More than 100 million jobs could return to the global tourism sector during 2021, as the world recovers from the crippling Covid-19 pandemic. That is according to the latest research from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). A strong summer of travel is expected as the sector begins its […]

Samoa is taking a major step towards strengthening travel bubble relations with a new virtual exchange program, and is seeking collaboration from Kiwi businesses. The Samoa Tourism Authority (STA) has launched the ​South Pacific Tourism Virtual Exchange Program ​and is calling on fellow New Zealand tourism and hospitality specialists and […]

Both Etihad and Emirates will become the first airlines globally to trial the new travel pass from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). This mobile app will help travelers to ensure their pre-travel test and/or vaccination records meet the needs of the destination to which they are traveling. Click HERE […]

The Global Tourism Crisis Committee has met for the first time in 2021. Organized by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the cross-sector body met in Madrid during the 113th session of the UNWTO Executive Council to advance solid plans to restart tourism. The meeting focused on the integration of vaccines into a […]

Change was needed in the travel industry, even before the pandemic took place. Here’s what 2020 taught us about sustainable tourism and travel for 2021. With 2020 basically putting a halt to all but essential travel, and hotels, monuments, airlines, museums and restaurants trying to reinvent themselves, repurpose their spaces […]

The coronavirus pandemic has devastated medical tourism, but pent-up demand remains for affordable treatment in foreign lands. On a cold February morning last year, as she lay curled up in a fetal position on her kitchen floor, Melissa Jackson called her manager at a New Jersey beauty salon to ask […]

To further protect New Zealand from COVID-19, the Government is extending pre-departure testing to all passengers to New Zealand except from Australia, Antarctica and most Pacific Islands, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said today. “The change will come into force for all flights arriving in New Zealand after 11:59pm (NZT) on Monday […]

Saga announces all customers on its cruises and holidays will need Covid jabs Firm says travellers must have had both shots at least a fortnight before travel It is the first cruise line to make vaccinations compulsory for its holidaymakers Saga says it plans to resume river cruises, escorted tours and […]

The cruise industry is slowly recovering after a year of virtually no sailing, and cruise operators have been announcing their plans for restarts. Cruise Industry News has gathered everything we currently know about the following 10 lines’ plans, representing various niche, premium and regional brands.  Ponant Ponant is planning to recommence operations in […]

With high hopes weighing on a two-way travel bubble between Cook Islands and New Zealand by March 31, local accommodation providers are ready to welcome visitors to the island paradise of Rarotonga. Local resorts are gearing up for the much-anticipated two-way travel bubble with New Zealand expected to be implemented […]

Air New Zealand will be operating daily return flights to Rarotonga from March 28 in anticipation of the two-way travel bubble between Cook Islands and New Zealand. The announcement came as part of the airline’s Covid-19 international schedule through to June 30 2021. Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council president Liana […]

For Virginia Cabral the chance to finally meet 7-month-old granddaughter Maria Virginia was sweet. Straight through the Auckland International Airport on the first quarantine-free flight from the Cook Islands she got to meet the baby for the first time. Cabral was also reunited with her other granddaughter Mahina who she […]

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has called on the federal government to reconsider the long-term suspension of international travel, saying a Pacific bubble should be established this year. Ms Berejiklian’s push for a faster approach to international travel during the pandemic comes after Australia’s Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly this week […]

Solomon Islands has avoided the worst of the COVID-19 crisis, but new research shows it could take it and other Pacific countries years to vaccinate the majority of their populations. With only 17 coronavirus cases detected from returning nationals at quarantine centres, and no community transmission in Solomon Islands, the […]

A new shipment of Covid-19 vaccines has arrived in American Samoa, 7800 doses of the Pfizer vaccine. Our correspondent said it’s the intention of health authorities to complete 10,000 vaccinations before the first repatriation flight from Honolulu on January 29. Dr Francine Amoa, chair of the Covid Vaccine Working Group […]

Sofitel Fiji has now come to the end of its multimillion-dollar renovation program and the resort is looking stunning! We are delighted to share with you some of the special local offers we currently have as follows – 1)     Day Pool Pass “Day Pool Pass”Come and enjoy a day at […]

The Executive Council of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has expressed its continued support for Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. Meeting in Madrid, its members nominated him to continue leading the United Nations specialized agency for four more years. At the end of the 113th session of the Executive Council, held as a […]

HAPPY NEW YEAR!Take advantage of your January returnee rates from $125 per night. We would love to welcome you back to your Denarau home and enjoy our special discounted rates just for you, our valued returnees over the below dates: 20th – 31st January 2021……  ROOM ONLY RATES EXCLUDING BREAKFAST, INCLUSIVE OF […]

A United Nations-backed team is touring Bougainville’s outer islands this month, conducting climate change vulnerability assessments. Focussing on remote communities at high risk of climate impacts, the Building Resilience to Climate Change team has already visited a number of islands and atolls in the Papua New Guinea Autonomous Region. The […]