NEWSPAGE 20 April
2011

(Photo: Getty Images)

NEW ZEALAND: Ocean odyssey begins for Pacific vakas

(Photos: Savali News)

SAMOA: Tanoa Tusitala officially opens
Source: Savali News

On Friday afternoon (April 16, 2011), the Reddy Group of Fiji officially opened the newest addition to their Tanoa Hotel Group chain in a gathering that included the Head of State, Prime Minister and Cabinet, Diplomatic Corps, the local business community and friends and family.

The Tanoa Hotel Group, with an established presence in Fiji, New Zealand and Vanuatu, purchased the Sogi property from the Kitano Corporation of Japan. The hotel, affectionately and widely known as ‘the Tusitala’, had been neglected for many years whilst the Kitano Corporation sought interested buyers.

The Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, also the new head of Tourism in the country, delivered the official address in front of a capacity crowd in the new conference wing.

“The Government built the original Tusitala Hotel in 1974, and of course wanted it to succeed… but unfortunately it kept running in the red and simply couldn’t sustain itself, eventually leading to the Kitano acquisition of the property.”

“The Reddy Group has diligently kept to plans for refurbishment, and with their reputation as providers of quality accommodation in the South Pacific, our shortage of hotels that offer deluxe accommodation have been improved.”

The Prime Minister talked of the Government’s strong focus on the tourism sector, with the main objective of creating and supporting more businesses where Samoans can find gainful employment.

“Tourism is multi-faceted and cannot be developed alone. It can only be achieved through a network of people working together - Tourism is everyone’s business.”

Chairman of the Reddy Group, Mr Y.P. Reddy talked of the trials and tribulations faced since day one of the change-over in ownership.

“It has been an epic two years and the many challenges we faced transforming the old hotel in to Tanoa Tusitala, started with the initial thoughts that ran through my head as I surveyed the property for the first time - I knew people would think I was crazy for taking on such a task.”

Mr Reddy described his determination to refurbish the old buildings, especially the distinctive falesamoa which have become landmarks in a fast developing township.

September 2009 presented the first major setback, when a fire razed the main falesamoa and caused significant damage to smaller structures and adjoining buildings.

“It would have been cheaper not to rebuild the fales, but I did not want to take away from the ‘character’ of the area. The old, main fale was a thing of beauty in its unique traditional design.”

The Tanoa Tusitala opened for business after completion of the first phase last year.

“We took in our first guests in July 2010, with limited facilities on offer - today we have opened our new main restaurant and conference centre.”

“I am so very pleased with the progress of our personnel,” he added, announcing that his group has employed 150 local staff in the construction and running of the hotel, with plans to increase this number with future expansion.

These include third-phase plans to open a Health and Wellbeing Centre, with spa facilities to meet a growing demand from local and overseas markets.

The celebration included a cultural mix of entertainment from Fijian, Indian and Samoan influences.

Tanoa Tusitala Hotel is situated on the Mulinuu Peninsula, offering 95 rooms and suites set amongst 15 acres overlooking Apia Harbor.

Photo Captions:

Photo 1 - The newest addition to the the Reddy Group's Tanoa Hotel Group chain, Tanoa Tusitala.

Photo 2 - Head of State, His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi accompanied by Mr Y.P. Reddy and wife Vimla.
 

AUSTRALIA: Kokoda upgrade reassures Australian travellers
Source: Travel Weekly

Upgrades to the Kokoda Track and stringent safety guidelines for tour operators should encourage more Australians to take on the gruelling trek this year, the Kokoda Track Authority has said.

Launching the 2011 trekking season in Sydney last night, Rod Hillman from the KTA said the Australian and PNG Governments have made significant investments over the past two years to weed out rogue tour operators and to address safety concerns on the track.

Hillman said the revamped licensing system for tour operators, launched last year, has helped reassure Australians about the quality of the experience. Aside from improvements to the track, operators are required to carry basic communication and first aid equipment, while first aid training has also been made available to porters and guides.

“We want to make it a really safe but challenging adventure experience,” Hillman said.

A new terminal building is also being built at the Kokoda airstrip while the KTA is also returning 25% of all trek fees back into the local communities.

Around 17,000 Australians visit PNG each year, with the Kokoda Track being the main attraction. But Leith Isaac, head of marketing for PNG Tourism, said the office also wants to promote other adventure activities, such as surfing and diving. PNG Tourism spends $400,000 in Australia each year.

Isaac said it’s an ongoing challenge to educate travel agents, with awareness still an issue. “It’s a destination that is not really well known and there’s not a lot of information out there,” he said.

The PNG Tourism website has been upgraded to include more information on air links, activities, accommodation and tour operators. Social media accounts have also been established on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

Isaac said improved air links should also boost tourism. Air Niugini has moved to double daily flights from Brisbane while Pacific Blue also operates three flights a week from Brisbane.

QantasLink commenced flights from Cairns to Port Moresby last year.
 

(Photo: Guam Visitors Bureau)

USA: GVB Showcases Guam at L.A. Times Travel & Adventure Show
Source: Guam Visitors Bureau Press Release

For the sixth consecutive year, Guam Visitors Bureau attended the L.A. Times Travel & Adventure Show from March 19-20 in Los Angeles, joining more than 500 exhibitors who showcase at the event annually.

Known as the largest consumer and travel industry event in the United States, L.A. Times attracts 20,000 consumers and provides a major platform to attract potential visitors, including Chamorros living on the West Coast.

“This is the leading consumer show in North America,” said former GVB General Manager Gerald S.A. Perez. “Each year, we get a lot of support from our fellow Chamorros who help us set up and man our booth. It’s a great way for us to connect while positioning Guam as a destination of choice.”
 

(Photo: Oceania Football Confederation)

VANUATU: VFF donates equipment to schools
Source: Oceania Football Confederation Press Release

Footballs, bibs, cones and small goal nets have been handed over to three primary schools in Port Vila, Vanuatu, thanks to the OFC 'Just Play' grassroots programme.

The football-mad youngsters at Vila North, Mele Maat and Fresh Water primary schools will get to make use of the gear and Vanuatu Football Federation (VFF) technical director Charles Vatu is delighted to help more children take part in the world's most popular sport.

"We want every child from each primary school in Vanuatu to have the chance to play football and enjoy the beautiful game," Vatu says.

"While most football clubs in Vanuatu may profess to having the same general goal of helping their players reach the highest level, the reality is that few clubs have a plan in place and the vision necessary to ensure the children in their clubs meet those goals.

"To achieve this we must have dedicated teachers who love football and can take time to teach the children basic skills and knowledge."

Kaison Maki, the recently-appointed VFF Just Play development officer in Port Vila says the donations are part of the Just Play programme's aim to develop the game at a grassroots level and promote physical activity among primary-aged children in the Pacific.

"While children learn to play the game as part of the Just Play programme, they also learn social skills like team work and fair play, and about health topics such as HIV/AIDS and malaria prevention, good nutrition, hygiene and clean water," Maki says.

Vila North teacher Joel Pakoa is pleased to have received the equipment and says the students at his school will get plenty of use out of it.

"Having this equipment available will result in more children being able to play football on our school grounds," he says.

Developed by the OFC social responsibility and technical departments, Just Play was launched in Vanuatu last April and has since been introduced in Tonga, Tahiti, Solomon Islands, Cook Islands, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and South Auckland in New Zealand.

OFC is working closely with UEFA, the Government of Australia - through its agencies the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) - and Football Federation Australia (FFA) to roll out the programme across the Pacific. The Australian Government has shown its support to the project by contributing AU$4million.

In South Auckland, Just Play is supported by OFC’s partnership with the Sir John Walker Find Your Field of Dreams Foundation, Counties Manukau Sport and Auckland Football Federation.

For more on Vanuatu football go to www.vanuafoot.vu
 

(Photo: International Rugby Board)

WORLDWIDE: FORU and ONOC sign historic agreement
Source: International Rugby Board Press Release

The Federation of Oceania Rugby Unions (FORU) and the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) have signed an historic Memorandum of Understanding.

The agreement will see the two organisations work together to jointly foster Rugby throughout the Region and assist the integration of Member Unions into the Olympic family.

Signed at the FORU Annual General Meeting in Wellington, New Zealand, the agreement represents a further boost to the sport ahead of Rugby Sevens’ Olympic Games debut in 2016.

“This landmark agreement is an exciting step in the development of the Game that will deliver significant opportunities for Member Unions in Oceania as we count down to Rugby Sevens’ Olympic Games debut in Rio de Janeiro in 2016,” said IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset in Wellington.

“Rugby is now the sport of choice for more men, women, boys and girls across Oceania than ever before. This growth is mirrored around the globe, with participation increasing by 19% since Rugby World Cup 2007 and the Game now played by more than five million people in 117 countries.”

“What’s more the world’s largest sporting event this year, Rugby World Cup 2011, will kick off in New Zealand in less than five months time, providing a fantastic opportunity to showcase and celebrate Rugby in Oceania.”

IOC Member and ONOC Vice President Barry Maister attended the FORU Annual General Meeting to sign the agreement and address the Unions.

“There is genuine excitement in the region that Rugby Sevens has been included on the Olympic Programme for 2016 and 2020,” said Maister.

“It is important that this excitement is harnessed and that the Rugby Unions work in partnership with the National Olympic Committees in each country to not only prepare for Olympic qualification but to grow the sport more broadly.”

Oceania has an outstanding record of success in Rugby Sevens and the inclusion of Rugby Sevens as an Olympic Sport is generating great excitement in the Oceania Rugby community. Australia are the current Women’s Rugby Sevens World Cup champions, while Samoa are the defending HSBC Sevens World Series champions.

For the Pacific Islands Olympic inclusion presents a considerable opportunity to showcase their country on the world’s biggest sporting stage and a genuine medal prospect for Fiji, Samoa and Tonga.

The Pacific Islands have won just one medal in Olympic competition to date with Tongan boxer Paea Wolfgramm winning the Super Heavyweight Silver medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, USA.

“We are most grateful to ONOC and the ONOC Executive for the warmth with which they have welcomed us into the Olympic family,” said Tauiliili Harry Schuster, FORU President and IRB Council Member.

“This Memorandum of Understanding is so important to us and we are looking forward to helping our Member Unions integrate into the Olympic Movement. This is new ground for us and we are committed to Rugby being an enthusiastic and active member of the Olympic family.”

Photo Caption: IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset, ONOC Vice President Barry Maister and FORU President Tauiliili Harry Schuster at the historic signing.