Travel Agent - September 1, 2008 - (Page 28)

DESTINATIONS SOUTH PACIFIC Nuku Restaurant at Fiji Beach Resort and Spa FIJI’S Denarau Island IT’S UNDERSTANDABLE THAT THOSE UNFAMILIAR WITH Fiji’s Denarau Island may think it’s a remote Fijian isle. In actuality, Denarau Island is a gated tourism development, a scant 20-minute drive from Nadi International Airport. Denarau Island is approached over a 100-yard bridge from the mainland. The former mangrove island has been under development since 1969 and today it has private homes, a championship golf course, a port and a number of five-star hotels, including such familiar brands as Hilton, Radisson, Sheraton, Sofitel and Westin. Many visitors use Denarau Island as a stopping-off point for a night or two to catch their breath after a long flight before continuing on to explore some of Fiji’s more remote destinations. A free shuttle bus called the Bula Bus makes it easy to travel from one resort to another, or to the shops and restaurants at Port Denarau Retail 28 | TravelAgent September 1, 2008 BY MARK ROGERS Center. Here you’ll find a selection of shops and restaurants surrounding a marina offering cruises and sailings to Fiji’s outlying islands. Waterfront restaurants include a Hard Rock Café, as well as venues serving everything from Thai to Indian fare. The last Bula Bus back to the resorts leaves at 10:30 p.m., which is plenty late for quiet Fiji. During my visit to Denarau Island, one topic came up again and again with the hoteliers I visited: Why should vacationers from the U.S. travel all the way to Fiji, when they have first-rate beach destinations so close to home? The answer was almost always Fiji’s people and culture. Fijians are as friendly as they’re reputed to be and the culture is unlike anything travelers will find in the Caribbean or Mexico. But Fiji needs to do a better job marketing itself. Too few Americans know enough about Fiji to commit to the long-haul trip. On average, the resorts that I visited reported between 5 and 7 percent of their business coming from the U.S. Where to Stay The busiest time to book is during Fiji’s school holidays, which affect the months of March and June. Book at least three months ahead for these times, longer if possible. The Fiji Beach Resort & Spa (www.fijibeachresortbyhilton.com) is managed by Hilton and has completed the first phase of a threephase development plan. When the development is complete, it will be officially flagged as a Hilton, instead of just being managed by the company. A date for completion hasn’t been set. The resort’s 225 rooms run the gamut of categories, from Studio Beachfront to Five-Bedroom Deluxe Beachfront. A hefty 95 percent of CONTINUED ON PAGE 30 http://www.fijibeachresortbyhilton.com http://www.fijibeachresortbyhilton.com

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Travel Agent - September 1, 2008 Online Now Contents Contributors From the Editor From the Publisher Europe: Apartment Rentals Offer a Different View of Paris Pacific/Asia: Authentic Sarawak Culture and Longhouse Experiences are Highlights of a Visit to Malaysian Borneo South Pacific: Fiji’s Denarau Island Offers Paradise within a Paradise Las Vegas: As Business Slows, Discounts and Deals are in the Cards at Many Vegas Properties Central & South America: São Paolo, Brazil, is Ideal for Business or Leisure Vacations Caribbean: The Caves in Negril, Jamaica, Offers Quiet Luxury Rosecita Jeffers Takes Over the St. Kitts Tourism Authority Cruises: Crystal Cruises is Making Plans and Changes for the Future Keeping Cruises Affordable with These 12 Tips for Clients Cover Story: Top Supplier Sales Reps Hotels: At Chicago’s Stylish Avenue Hotel, the Kids are all Right Bali is Reinventing Itself as a Family-Friendly Destination Tours: GOGO Worldwide Vacations Renews its Commitment to the Travel Agent Community Agent Profile: Ramesh Kalicharran Looked for His Roots and Helps Others Find Theirs Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Luxury Travel Expo The YTB Controversy Rages On The Latest News From the Caribbean Australia Promotes Australia New Flagship to Relaunch Orient Lines Classified Marketplace Agent Access In the Spotlight Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch

Travel Agent - September 1, 2008

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