Fiji’s delegation raises number of participants

South pacific

Fiji’s delegation raises number of participants

Tahiti tourism makes its debut at WTM

Fiji will be well represented at this year’s World Travel Market with a delegation of 20 participants.

The message from the island will be that it is business as usual as far as tourism is concerned, and that despite the coup in May, visitors need not be concerned about safety.

Tahiti Tourisme, which will be exhibiting for the first time as a UK-based office, will use WTM to launch its Tahiti Specialist Agent Programme.

However, the South Pacific Tourism Organisation, which represents 13 countries, will not be exhibiting at the show. Instead the body has booked a room at the Tournament pub, a few minutes walk from Earl’s Court.

Private-sector representatives from Fiji and tourism officials from Tonga, Samoa and the Cook Islands have teamed together under the banner Focus South Pacific Showcase for the pub-based exhibition. Air New Zealand will also be there.

The SPTO will hold a workshop in the pub on November 16 for operators and key-performing agents where suppliers will give presentations about their products. There will be prizes up for grabs, including tickets from Air New Zealand.

Pineapple chums: pictured from left are Amanda Hills, regional director, SPTO; Simon Bean, sales manager Air New Zealand/Ansett Australia; Kevin Harris, marketing manager, SPTO; and Sarah Edwards, marketing assistant, Air New Zealand/Ansett Australia

Sri lanka

Isle of Festivals brings taste of Kandy to WTM

Sri Lanka’s theme at World Travel Market will be The Isle of Festivals, focusing in particular on one of the country’s most spectacular annual events, the Kandy Esala festival in the hill capital of Kandy.

The 10-day spectacle takes place during July and August and involves dancers from around the island and painted elephants.

As well as highlighting the Esala festival, the Sri Lankan delegation will be flagging up key tourist sights, including the Temple of the Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha and the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens.

The highlight of the show for the Sri Lanka team will be the Annual Tourism Awards organised by the tourist board, on November 14. The awards recognise the UK travel trade’s contribution to promoting Sri Lanka as a tourist destination.

Over 200 guests are expected to attend, representing around100 operators including First Choice, JMC, Thomson and Magic of the Orient.

A spokesperson said: “This is the third time we have run the awards. We do have [political] problems in Sri Lanka and this function helps promote a good message.”

Solid rock: the country will be promoting its many temples and shrines