SOUTH PACIFIC


“Papua New Guinea is a paradise for divers. It has 17,000kms of coastline and sits in the Coral Triangle, said to be the oldest reef system. The reef is home to the biggest diversity of tropical fish and coral in the world”


STEVE HARTRIDGE, EDITOR, SELLING LONG HAUL Audley Travel, agrees. French


Polynesia is iconic, with top quality resorts and chic spas serving up everything clients imagine,” she says. “Alternatively, the Cook Islands has some great new retreats and Fiji offers across-the-board variety.” Tourism from the UK, together with cruise ports of call, is focused on these three main island groups, each which has hundreds of outer islands or atolls demanding exploration. Papua New Guinea, located a thousand miles or so north of Australia, is making a push in the UK as it raises awareness of a unique culture derived from over a thousand different tribal groups. PNG’s visitor attractions centre around a huge pristine wilderness which supports a dazzling array of wildlife, including more than 7,000 species of birds. To bird-watching add trekking, diving, fi shing, surfi ng, rafting, kayaking and cycling. Tour operators featuring Papua


New Guinea include Audley Travel (audleytravel.com), Cox and Kings (coxandkings.co.uk) and Scott Dunn (scottdunn.com).


Main picture: cruising is a great way to see several Pacifi c islands Left, clockwise from top left: the Cook Islands; Tahiti, Samoa; Fiji


Several UK operators also feature the less developed Samoa and Tonga; itineraries to other island groups can be tailor-made on request. The Fiji-based South Pacifi c


Tourism Organisation (spto.org) offers agents a comprehensive overview of many of the islands, including the Marshall Islands (secluded islands and unbeatable diving and fi shing), Solomons (unhurried and untouched with a rustic charm) and Vanuatu (active volcanoes and the world’s most accessible war shipwreck). Online training on 14 South Pacifi c destinations is available at the above web address. Qualifi ed South Pacifi c Specialists get priority invitations for fam trips and UK workshops and entry to a free South Pacifi c holiday prize draw.


What’s new Airlines: Air Pacifi c has been


re-named Fiji Airways, reverting to its original name from the late 1950s, in conjunction with the launch of new in-fl ight product, staff uniforms and delivery of A330-220 aircraft. Stefan Pilcher has been appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Offi cer from this month (September). He formerly held senior posts with Jazeera Airways, Virgin Blue and Thomas Cook. Air Tahiti Nui is to increase its


www.sellinglonghaul.com September 2013 51


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