FIJI - Cruising is booming

matangitonga.to, 11 Jan 2008

In the words of Japan's Nippon Maru owners (Mitsui OSK) - "the South Pacific has an image of paradise and our cruisers want more of it."So regional tourism organisation south-pacific.travel, with support from ProInvest, has drafted a cruise strategy for the region. Former Pacific Asia Travel Association VP Peter Semone lead the strategy development. Semone has identified four Beacons to enable the South Pacific to capture its due share of the global cruise boom.Beacon 1 is about shore excursions and land based services. People want interesting things to do ashore after days at sea, so ports of call need to ensure a variety of creative shore excursions.

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TONGA -Tourism is a key priority area

tonga-now.to, 20/10/2007

Tourism is a key priority area and is recognized as providing significant benefits to the region. It is a key driver of economic growth in the Pacific and thus a major contributor to the goal of economic growth couched in the Pillars of the Pacific Plan.
Hon Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi (seated), MP Prime Minister of Samoa and Minister for Foreign Affairs delivered the Forum’s Statement on Tourism.

In his statement he said that Pacific Island Countries have a comparative advantage in Tourism and can therefore compete internationally. It is one of the sectors making significant contribution to regional economies through foreign exchange, jobs and government revenue it generates. It therefore has a vital role in the achievement of the Pacific Plan’s goal Economic Growth.

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