Industry News

Tourism Fiji proudly announced their membership with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) last month, which establishes and manages global sustainability standards in order to protect and sustain the  world’s natural and cultural resources. By joining the GSTC, Tourism Fiji and its industry partners have made a  commitment to work towards a more sustainable future for the islands. With a variety of initiatives aimed at  promoting awareness, driving positive impact and encouraging visitor participation, the industry is committed to  safeguarding Fiji's invaluable natural resources for future generations through these collaborative endeavors. Home to a pristine natural environment, including some of the world’s largest coral reefs and a unique living culture,  Fiji recognises the importance of sustainability and community engagement. Tourism Fiji is championing sustainable  tourism practices that reduce the environmental impact of tourism by reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions,  promoting energy efficiency, and conserving water and natural resources. Resorts and tour operators across Fiji are  helping to future-proof the industry by greening their operations and supporting conservation and community  initiatives. “We are proud to be among leading tourism destinations and companies around the world who have banded  together to create a better future for travelers and local communities,” said the CEO of Tourism Fiji, Brent Hill. “We  believe that sustainable tourism is the way forward and are committed to working with our industry partners to  make this a reality.” Fiji’s resorts and tourism businesses are spearheading significant sustainability efforts that range from installing  renewable energy sources like solar, going plastic free, reducing and managing waste and wastewater, to planting  organic gardens and offsetting carbon footprint through mangrove planting. Other resorts and businesses are  helping to preserve Fiji’s endangered and endemic species like iguanas and turtles, and conserving large swathes of  reefs, forests and islands in protected areas.   Fiji’s resorts and tourism operators have launched an array of sustainability initiatives ahead of Earth Day (April 22)  including:  Nanuku Resort’s Batiwai Project Improves Local Marine Ecosystem From coral planting, reef conservation and shore protection activities to cultural activities such as traditional Meke  dancing and Kava nights, Nanuku Resort aims to lead the way in sustainable luxury through its sustainability program,  the Batiwai Project. The Batiwai Project features targeted initiatives that not only improve the local marine  ecosystem but also maintain the resort’s minimal environmental footprint and enhance the livelihood of resort staff  and local communities, all while protecting the natural settings and surroundings. Since the program started, Nanuku  has transplanted 10,620 mangroves along the Wainiyabia-Culanuku corridor and has planted and transplanted  around 600 coral fragments in the nursery and around the house reef. Savasi Island Introduces Coral Reef Conservation Experience Savasi Island Resort offers a new 'Snorkeling & Coral Reef Conservation Experience’ with Matthew Norman and Sara  Carlson from Ocean Ventures, a sustainability focused couple with a wealth of experience in the diving industry and  a passion for preserving the marine environment. During this fascinating snorkeling trip to remote and pristine  Natewa Bay, guests tour a coral nursery and participate in a unique hands-on coral nursery experience, contributing  to the local community and marine conservation efforts in a meaningful and measurable way.  VOMO Welcomes Fijian Marine Biologist Laisenia Rokoua Leading the way in its endeavor to ensure the preservation of its beautiful habitat in the South Pacific, VOMO Island  Fiji has committed to sustainability with its year-round eco-friendly practices. The sustainability-minded luxury resort  has built a freshwater bottling plant that provides guests with pure drinking water in sealed reusable glass bottles.  VOMO also recently welcomed Fijian marine biologist, Laisenia Rokoua, to join the team, leading guest excursions  to plant coral and educate travelers on the surrounding ecosystem. This last year Rokoua has helped foster three  baby turtles that washed onto VOMO’s shores, ensuring they are healthy before returning them to the sea.  Wakaya Club & Spa Goes Crazy for Coconuts This Earth Day As one of the world’s most luxurious resorts, Wakaya Club & Spa is leading the way in their endeavor to ensure the  preservation of their beautiful habitat in the South Pacific, making a lasting impression, with less impact. This Earth  Day, guests at Wakaya can partake in a hands-on traditional weaving session and make their own Coconut Frond  Hats, Beach Baskets or Sasas (Fijian broom) using the branches from the tree. With sustainability and conservation  at the heart of Wakaya’s ethos, the property offers opportunities for travelers to engage with local Fijian experts  such as Luke Gordon of The Manta Trust to learn about the island’s initiatives to help conserve and sustain their  environments. To keep one of the world’s most stunning marine wildernesses intact, the Wakaya Marine Reserve is  known to house an array of Pacific coral fish, Hawksbill turtles, green back turtles, reef and hammerhead sharks.  Within this area Wakaya provides protection to over 16,000 square kilometers of marine life and rehomes numerous  species, including clams, until they reach a certain size.  Captain Cook Cruises Encourages Guests to ‘Buy A Bottle, Plant a Reef’ Captain Cook Cruises Fiji plans to embrace the 2023 Earth Day theme, Invest in Our Planet, with two new exciting  initiatives for guests to participate in. Guests who join their Day Sail to Tivua Private Island on April 22, 2023 will  have the opportunity to participate in two programs that aim to contribute to conservation efforts above and below  the ocean: ‘Plant a Palm’ and ‘Buy a Bottle, Build a Reef’. Guests will enjoy allocated time on their Day Sail experience  to plant coconut trees and seedlings to help create a lively habitat above the ocean or plant coral frags to preserve  the 500 acres of coral reef that surround the island.  Intercontinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa Offers Array of Sustainability Practices From protecting coral reefs to providing a safe haven for bees, Intercontinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa is committed  to sustainability through a variety of eco-conscious programs, including their new Community Care Fund program,  ongoing Coral Reef Restoration Project, Rise Beyond The Reef partnership, the Honeybee Project, and Food Waste  Management program. For more information on Fiji, visit: www.fiji.com.fj 

From music concerts with regional superstars, to spectacular nightly fireworks displays, residents and visitors are invited to ‘Feel Eid in Qatar’ this year, with a varied and family-friendly roster of events and activities.Qatar Tourism, in partnership with Qatar Airways, announces an exciting calendar of lively and family-friendly events to mark the joyous occasion of Eid, as part of its ‘Feel Eid in Qatar’ campaign (April 21 – 23). Ranging from spectacular music concerts with the region’s most revered artists, to fun-filled children’s shows, residents and visitors are sure to find something to suit their preferences amongst the action-packed weekend of activities.In addition, residents and visitors searching for an Eid staycation or holiday will find plenty of options among Qatar’s varied and world-class collection of hotels. Offers on Eid can be found on Qatar Tourism’s page visitqatar.com/eid. Moreover, leading entertainment venues will take part in various Eid festivities, such as Lusail Winter Wonderland, which will re-open during Eid for families to enjoy.Commenting on the line-up of Eid festivities, Sheikha Hessa Al-Thani, Head of Marketing and Planning at Qatar Tourism said: “Following the triumphant success of our ‘Feel Winter in Qatar’ campaign, Qatar’s tourism sector has seen an incredible start to the year and we are delighted to maintain this positive momentum with our exciting programme of activity for Eid 2023 celebrations. We invite our residents to enjoy the festivities taking place in the country and regional neighbours to visit and feel the true spirit of Eid in Qatar this year.” Three Nights of the Region’s Best MusicApril 21 – 23, Al Mayassa Theatre, QNCC21:00 start time; 20:00 doors openUnder Qatar Tourism’s flagship programme, ‘Qatar Live,’ this Eid will see some of the region’s most popular artists perform a unique tribute to Arabic music.Starting on Friday (April 21), Tamer Hosny will perform his medley of much-loved hits. Paired up with the electrifying DJ Rouge, the night is set to enthral local audiences with bespoke sets and energising live music. Tickets can be purchased here.Iconic artists Marwan Khoury and Najwa Karam lead the line-up for Saturday (April 22), which will celebrate the country’s significant contributions to regional music. Tickets can be purchased here.And finally, Sunday (April 23) will bring a lively celebration of Khaliji music. A trio of the genre’s most popular artists will perform their hits live to audiences at the beautiful Al Mayassa Theatre, including Qatar’s very own Fahad Al Kubaisi, recent winner of Saudi Idol – Hames –, and Emirati singer Balqees, who made her mark on the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ Official Soundtrack with ‘Light The Sky.’ Tickets can be purchased here. Daily Spectacular Fireworks ShowEvery evening, Doha CornicheAt 21:00 throughout the weekend, the skies of Doha will light up with a dazzling firework show along the Corniche. Fun-filled Activities Across the CountryThroughout Eid, various locationsAll around Doha, Eid celebrations will be taking place. The much-loved kids’ show, “Shaun the Sheep” is heading to Doha for three days at the Lusail Multipurpose Hall. At the same time, Asia Town will come to life with a Sports Festival and live stage shows by popular artists. With an array of entertainment options for all ages, Qatar’s Eid 2023 festivities promises to be a truly unforgettable experience.For more inspiration on what to do and where to go during Eid, Qatar Tourism has launched a ‘Qatar Calendar Eid Edition,’ a special edition of its monthly Qatar Calendar featuring a curated round-up of the most exciting offers and festivities taking place throughout the country during this exceptional time of year. Follow @qatarcalendar on Facebook and Instagram for more. Photo credits: Qatar Tourism

Tourism Fiji rolls out a refreshed take on their renowned ‘happiness’ brand platform, just over a year on from borders reopening to tourists. The new brand platform, ‘Where happiness comes naturally’ is a meaningful evolution that pays homage to Fiji’s local people, stunning natural environments, rich culture, and the authentic experiences on offer, encouraging travellers to discover a side to Fiji they may not have known existed. A recent study into sustainable travel revealed that 66 per cent of travellers want to have authentic experiences representative of the local culture. Tourism Fiji is tapping into this growing consumer desire for meaningful travel that creates a connection to culture and communities. Brent Hill, Chief Executive Officer, Tourism Fiji, commented, “For over a decade our tourism brand platform, ‘Where Happiness Finds You’ has attracted people from all over the world.” “During the peak of the pandemic, visitor numbers fell to almost 30,000 annually. As our borders closed and tourist numbers declined, Fijians showed that they are resilient and resourceful by carrying a strong sense of community and entrepreneurialism. Our visitor numbers have since been steadily growing, reaching 102.5 per cent of pre-pandemic numbers in December 2022.” “With short booking windows becoming the norm, we wanted to roll out ‘Where happiness comes naturally’ to capture that demand and welcome even more visitors back to Fiji in 2023, showing them a side of the country that they may not have experienced. We are a small island nation with a lot of happiness to offer, and this new brand platform showcases the vibrant and diverse cultures and traditions that exist within Fiji.” As part of the brand evolution, Tourism Fiji has announced five new travel pillars that it will develop and promote to tourists; Natural Environment, Adventurous Experiences, Community Connections, Recharge and Reconnect, and Food and Drink. These demonstrate a core range of authentic experiences visitors can have in Fiji, such as: Natural Environment – explore the wonders of Fiji that have formed over thousands of years and connect with nature; Talanoa Treks’ 2 – 5-night hikes let people discover a different side to Fiji only accessible on foot. Adventurous Experiences – for those seeking adrenaline-filled drift adventures, experience the Rainbow Reef – an underwater paradise discovered by Jacques Cousteau and known as the soft coral capital of the world. Community Connections – take part in a traditional Kava drinking ceremony that dates to 3 millennia ago. The botanical marvel has been used in Fiji as a form of welcome at traditional social gatherings, and in cultural and religious ceremonies. Recharge and Reconnect – soothe the soul with a dip in the Sabeto Mud Pool and Hot Springs. The therapeutic experience offers a natural remedy to help replenish the mind, body, and spirit. Food and Drink – splurge on a personalised chef experience at luxury resort Kokomo with local female Head Chef, Caroline Oakley, renowned for her ‘cooking with heart and soul’ approach to food. The rollout also includes a new logo that fuses modern and bold typography with the traditional Fijian art form of masi. It has been designed by Tourism Fiji’s global brand and creative agency Host/Havas, in collaboration with third-generation masi artist Wati Maraiwai Talavutu. She commented, “Being given the opportunity to create a new logo that celebrates our heritage and showcases our traditions to the world has been an incredible experience. I’m proud to be a part of this new campaign that honours Fiji and the happiness we live and breathe every day.” To showcase the new brand platform, Tourism Fiji captured its vibrant Fijian spirit using renowned National Geographic photographer Matthieu Paley.

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has renewed their leadership of the One Planet network - 10YFP Sustainable Tourism programme. With a shared commitment to promoting sustainable tourism practices, the programme has been working to drive positive change in the industry for many years. This renewed partnership represents a significant step forward in efforts to create more sustainable tourism. The One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme aims to accelerate sustainable consumption and production (SCP) in tourism policies and practices to address the challenges of pollution, biodiversity loss and climate change. It promotes knowledge sharing and networking opportunities to define collective priorities and identify solutions. Through its work, the One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme sets the SCP agenda in the tourism sector to advance the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 12 and also delivers progress under connected goals, such as SDG13, SDG14 and SDG15, respectively on climate action and the protection of marine and terrestrial ecosystems. To learn more about the programme, visit the official website https://www.oneplanetnetwork.org/programmes/sustainable-tourism

Abu Dhabi’s budget carrier Wizz Air is launching flights to Maldives starting from $87 as they further expand their coverage to recover from air travel loss. Flights will be offered four times a week to Male’ which is the main international airport in the Maldives. Wizz Air is also launching daily flights to their fifth destination in the Gulf, Kuwait, starting at AED99. “We are excited to announce two new Wizz Air Abu Dhabi routes, which reaffirm our commitment to supporting the UAE’s travel and tourism industry by connecting its capital with many popular holiday destinations regionally and globally,” said Wizz Air’s development officer, Owain Jones. The airline is hoping to receive their 5th airbus plane in October, which will expand their connectivity and capacity to recover from the pandemic.