News

The Government of Kiribati has officially declared a further extension of its border closure in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Government advises that this extension will remain effective until the end of February 2021 where it will be further reviewed. Special approval is required for humanitarian flights to […]

Tourism Solomons CEO Josefa ‘Jo’ Tuamoto, the board of directors and  tourism industry leaders, both in the Solomon Islands and the United States have paid tribute to Robert (Bob) Reynolds, the founder of  Solomon Islands WWII specialist tour operator Valor Tours, who passed away on 07 January aged 99 years […]

The Government will roll out the third phase of the repatriation exercise next week. Director General (DG) of Health, Russel Tamata said the third phase anticipated to end in March will also be the final repatriation exercise. But he added that this will be reconfirmed, as lot of Ni-Vanuatu are also […]

The newly appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Air Vanuatu, ‘Atu Finau, told Daily Post yesterday in an exclusive interview that the priority of the airline currently is to formulate a recovery plan. That is the first major task given to the new CEO on his first week in office […]

You may know that blue carbon is the carbon that is captured and stored by coastal ecosystems, but how much do you actually know about it? For instance did you know… There are three main types of blue carbon ecosystems: mangroves, seagrass, and salt marshes. Mangroves can store up to […]

There are now more than 2000 Samoans wanting to return home and more are expected to register in the coming weeks. The Samoa Observer reports the numbers were confirmed by the Chairman of the National Emergency Operations Centre, Agafili Shem Leo, at a press conference on Thursday. “The Committee can confirm that […]

The upmarket iconic Sinalei Reef Resort and Spa in Samoa has announced it is closing down. Manager Sose Annandale told the Samoa Observer she is heartbroken but determined to stay optimistic about the 24 year-old resort’s future. “It’s heart-breaking really, especially when you see the number of livelihoods impacted.” “We are down […]

A number of cruise ships are sailing globally in January as the industry continues its restart, in a staggered phased-in approach with an emphasis on regional start-ups. Here are the cruise ships currently back in service or planning restarts in January: Cruise Line: Dream CruisesShip: Explorer DreamCapacity (at 100% Occupancy): 1,856Built: 1999Homeport: Keelung (Taiwan)Itinerary: One- to […]

New Caledonia Tourism has announced it will partner with agency Nouvelle Vague Marketing to represent the destination in Australia and New Zealand. Translating to ‘French New Wave’, Nouvelle Vague is headed up by tourism industry specialist Caroline Brunel. With more than 20 years’ experience in destination marketing (including 5 years […]

It feels like a lifetime ago that locals in tourist-saturated areas complained of cramped infrastructure and unwelcome intrusion into their local culture. And when travel resumes, hopefully later this year after vaccinations weave their protective shield, a new and more sustainable travel industry must await. Increasingly, travellers are seeking out experiences […]

The high costs of airfares have been a challenge to domestic travel and tourism. According to the Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA) Chief executive officer Eric Mossman, that in spite of the ill effects that the pandemic has brought to the country, this has allowed them to reassess and see where […]

Colonia, Yap. January 5, 2021. The remote island of Yap in the Federated States of Micronesia is among the few places in the world that remains free of Covid-19 thanks to its ocean border and a strict travel ban that has kept its residents safe. Nonetheless, Yap has been affected, […]

TOURISM DECLARES A CLIMATE EMERGENCY The Chamber has made a Declaration and becomes a member of Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency   https://www.tourismdeclares.com. The Committee will be working on this project commencing late January 2021.  Members are encouraged to help with this project so just let Committee know if you are […]

Greetings from New Caledonia. It’s safe to say that 2020 has been a very challenging year, and 2021 will be certainly again. In order to protect the local population and to avoid the widespread of the Covid-19 virus, our Caledonian government has taken the decision to maintain our borders closed […]

The Australian government has warned travellers to not get excited about overseas travel despite Qantas putting international tickets on sale from July 1, saying there’s no guarantee they will be able fly as long as Australia’s international borders stay shut. Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Michael McCormack said the […]

Starting Thursday, people will be able to fly with Air New Zealand from Aotearoa to Brisbane and not have to quarantine on arrival. The announcement comes after Queensland’s Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced in December the state was reopening its borders to Kiwis following them being shut due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, […]

It’s not a tsunami, but wave season deals are starting to flood in, from cruise lines big and small. Given the current circumstances, it’s been debated whether there will be a 2021 wave season. Alex Sharpe, president and CEO of Signature Travel Network, expects a wave but not a traditional […]

New Cruise Lines International Association research shows two out of three cruisers are willing to cruise within a year and 58% of international vacationers, who have never cruised, likely to do so in the next few years. This is part of CLIA’s newly released 2021 State of the Cruise Industry Outlook. […]

Each of French Polynesia’s Society Islands has their own distinct aesthetic. Tahiti has deep mountain valleys. Moorea’s visitors often note its lurid, craggy peaks and picturesque bays. Bora Bora has the iconic Mount Otemanu rising from the center of a brilliantly hued blue lagoon. Huahine, roughly in the center of […]

Opinion: Sven Lindblad, CEO, Lindblad Expeditions An article in the New York Times on August 27 bore the headline “Move Over Sustainable Travel, Regenerative Travel Has Arrived.” It got a lot of attention, rightfully so, as it was a very meaningful article. The first two paragraphs were telling. “Once accounting […]