south pacific
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“Fiji Airways fares can be combined with flights to the Far East (through Hong Kong) and the USA (through LA and Honolulu). The Air New Zealand direct flight from Los Angeles to the Cook Islands continues to be popular with travellers to NZ as a great place to stop off”
JONATHAN DITTE, PRODUCT MANAGER, JETSET
Major cruise lines make ever-more
frequent visits, with Rarotonga and Tonga both investing in new cruise ship berths. Fiji is the main destination, however, with Captain Cook Cruises operating a major programme around the islands including new discovery cruises. In Fiji, you can also go up-river with Sigatoka
STILTED DREAMS IN SAMOA BY DAVE RICHARDSON “One of the most memorable experiences anywhere on my travels was waking up in a small hotel in Samoa one Sunday morning to hear chickens clucking and the sweet voices of a congregation singing hymns. Everyone goes to church in Samoa and they range from simple shacks to gilded palaces. The other island passion is rugby. Natural attractions are everywhere from pure white beaches and azure seas with coral reefs, to green mountains and clear streams.
But there is history too, and be sure to
see Robert Louis Stevenson’s home near Apia, even if you don’t climb the hill to his grave. Be sure to cross from the main island, Upolu, to Savaii, which is actually bigger but less developed. The ferry trip is part of the experience and the people everywhere are genuinely charming. Stay in a luxury resort but also stay in a beach ‘fale’ – simple accommodation on stilts, right above the sand.”
River Cruises to discover remote villages. Paul Gauguin Cruises has launched a 68-page 2015 brochure with some new itineraries. The most popular include a seven-night Tahiti and the Society Islands cruise; 10-night Society Islands and Tuamotus; 11-night Cook Islands and Society Islands; 14-night Marquesas, Tuamotus and Society Islands; and 12- and 13-night Fiji, Tonga, Cook and Society Islands itineraries. The main appeal of most islands is sea,
sand, watersports and relaxation, with accommodation ranging from luxury resorts to simple accommodation right on the beach. This is certainly true of Samoa, made up of
two main islands, but the cultural aspect is very important here as in many South Pacifi c nations. You get the opportunity not only to watch folklore shows but to go into villages and learn about the clan-based way of life. The Sell Samoa training programme by Travel Uni has had over 750 agents signed up over the last year. Alison Cryer, UK and Europe Director of the Samoa Tourism Authority, says: “Nothing beats fi rst- hand experience when it comes to programming and selling a destination, and we feel this is an incremental part of further promoting Samoa.” Tahiti stands out as a different destination
due to its French heritage, with Tahiti Tourisme launching a new global brand identity. Thomas Rebergue, its Chief Marketing Offi cer, says: “As well as increasing visitor arrivals, it is good to note
sellingtravel.co.uk
that the average length of stay has also increased to 12.3 nights compared to 10.7 a year ago.” Another very different South Pacifi c destination is
Papua New Guinea, a much larger country than any of the others and occupying 50% of the land mass of New Guinea, the other half being in Indonesia. Once virtually closed to tourists, it is now
welcoming cruise and other visitors wanting to experience an unknown destination renowned for its bio-diversity. Niche operators are offering bird watching, diving and surfi ng, and it is easily accessible from northern Australia. One of the least known South Pacifi c destinations
– but fully geared up for small-scale tourism and all the better for being undiscovered – is the Solomon Islands, an archipelago to the east of Papua New Guinea. Access is simple via Brisbane, as it takes less than three hours to reach the capital, Honiara, by Solomon Airlines Airbus A320, with full on-board service.
Top: all the colours of the rainbow in Papua New Guinea Above: beachside accommodation in Samoa
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