Recommend February 2013 - (Page 42)

southpacific caption The adults-only Tadrai Island Resort. onsitereview FIJI–3 luxe resorts M AY 2 0 12 REFLECT ITS PLUSH SIDE sergio ortiz Fiji is best experienced on one of its small offshore islands during one of those lazy, tropical afternoons when the sea is calm and a warm breeze ripples the water, rustling the palms growing at its edge. It’s better when the sky is overcast, the heat has abated and exotic birds make noises from hidden nests. But most of this went missing in December when Evan, a Category Four cyclone and the most devastating storm to hit Fiji in 20 years, tore the country asunder, ripping roofs from houses, ﬂooding roads and uprooting coconut palms. Resorts were evacuated and an estimated 8,000 people sought refuge in evacuation centers. But a mere few days after the storm Fiji was back on its feet and normalcy was quickly restored. The storm was a tourism blow, but since it plays such an important part in the country’s economy and in the livelihood of its estimated 890,000 populace, the government put extra effort into reconstruction. According to Ili Matatolu, regional director for Fiji Tourism, the Americas, “More than 98 percent of resorts were operational by Christmas and Fiji enjoyed a busy and festive holiday season, hosting visitors from both our traditional and emerging source markets, and major tourist regions around the country are enjoying brisk business.” 42 february 2013 42-45 SP Fiji.indd 42 With the exception of some isolated cases, most resorts were fully operational within days after the cyclone hit, putting Fiji in its traditional place among the South Paciﬁc’s premier leisure destinations. Time spent on any of its 300 islands will seem like a tropical dream. Fiji is where relaxation reaches new heights, where peace reigns and where the weather, land, sea and— most importantly—friendly people give it a zest like no other. It takes less than a few minutes after ﬁrst setting foot on the alluring island nation to realize that visiting here is like walking into a travel brochure designed by some unearthly genius. Fiji simply stuns. It’s not only that the islands are blessed with thrilling South Seas panoramas, but that there is a certain joy to the land and its people—something they call “bula spirit.” (“Bula” is an ubiquitous word heard a thousand times a day, literally meaning “health” but used as “hello,” “how are you?” or in any dozen ways). This bula spirit is indeﬁnable, really, but permeates Fiji with a simpatico and genial spirit. Adds Matatolu: “We have always been a popular destination because Fiji offers a culture unique to the South Paciﬁc. Outsiders ﬁnd it charming and welcoming. Our projections indicate that recommend.com 1/23/13 8:48 AM http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend February 2013

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk: Virgin Limited Edition
Tour Talk: GeoEx
Celebrity Reflection
Villa del Palmar Cancun Beach resort & Spa
Karisma's Gourmet Feast: Top-End Cuisine & Service
El Secreto, Ambergris Caye, Belize
Hamburg Travel Planner 2013
The Kenya Formula: Wild + Tribal + Luxe
Fiji-3 Luxe Resorts Reflect its Plush Side
Gansevoort Turks & Caicos
It Pays to Book Villas
High-End stays Stateside
The Angler's Boutique Resort, Miami Beach

Recommend February 2013