p26 air Nov6 3/11/09 16:55 Page 26
Air
Chris Gray
020 7921 8003
cgray@ttglive.com
For the latest news about flights, airlines and airports, visit ttglive.com/air
Flight times between the UK and Fiji are being cut as the islands’ tourism board launches a series of
Fijian culture, surfing and nature-themed promotions to rebuild visitor numbers. Chris Gray reports
CAMPAIGN.
Visitors returning
after a tough year
VISITOR number to Fiji are starting to rise after
a “perfect storm” of a year that saw arrivals drop
25% at the start of the year.
Jane West, Fiji Tourism UK and Ireland spokes-
woman, said the drop was a result of flooding
in January and the islands becoming more
expensive because of currency fluctuations.
The Fiji government devalued the currency by
20% in April, and had run promotions in
Australia since. In July visitors numbers were
only 10% down on the year before.
West said the government had now recognised
the importance of tourism to the islands’ economy.
The industry employs 80,000 of a population of
850,000, and Air Pacific is the largest employer.
Air Pacific slashes
She also said the government will run a new
promotion in the UK. The UK provided 56,000
visitors this year, against an expected 60,000.
The planned promotions aimed to overcome
UK-Fiji flight time
the off-putting effect the distance to Fiji could
have on UK tourists, West added
“UK holidaymakers have a lot of choice so to
persuade even one person to travel that far is
FLIGHT times between the UK and Fiji via Asia lead-in UK-Fiji return fares of £799 inclusive. important, because when they do make the
will be cut by 10 hours when Air Pacific starts a The flight operates a codeshare with Cathay choice the satisfaction is second to none.”
direct service between Hong Kong and the Pacific on the London-Hong Kong leg, and also
islands next month. has interline agreements allowing through-
The airline, which sells 80% of its business ticketing with British Airways, Virgin Atlantic,
through the trade and pays commission, will KLM and Emirates.
operate the twice-weekly route from December 3. The service will be operated by a Boeing 767
Martin White, Air Pacific executive general on Thursdays and Saturdays, leaving Hong Kong
manager, said it was the only carrier offering a at 17:05 at arriving at Nadi airport in Fiji at 07:05.
direct service between Hong Kong and Fiji as It is targeting round-the-world travellers,
other airlines flew via New Zealand or Australia. backpackers, upmarket “flashpackers” and the
Flying time will be about 21 hours, 10 hours weddings and honeymoons market. Fiji Facts
faster than other Hong Kong routes and about It has a two-class with full cabin service and 85% Tourist satisfaction rating
two hours faster than going via Los Angeles. The special fares for children as will as onboard 33% Increase in air capacity this year
best connection at Hong Kong will be just over activity kits to keep them occupied. 1 million Targeted visitor numbers for 2016
three hours. Air Pacific also offers connections to the outer 10,000 Number of beds on the island
White travelled to London from Fiji to launch islands from Nadi on it s domestic carried pacific 23 Number of years in the last
the service with Fiji Tourism. Sun that can be booked through a GDS or online 25 that Air Pacific was profitable
He said the quicker flying time would help at airpacific.com. 80% Proportion of Air Pacific’s sales
persuade British visitors to make the effort to The airline is working closely with Fiji Tourism through the trade
visit the islands, rather than stopping at similar and White said he aimed to create more aware- 8 Number of 787 Dreamliners on
but closer destinations such as the Maldives. ness of the islands’ range of attractions including order by Air Pacific
Air Pacific is starting the service with surfing, rainforest, mountains and Fijian culture.
26 06.11.2009
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