Fiji remains one of Australian holidaymakers’ favourite destinations. TravelBulletin spoke to personal travel manager Belinda Hackett to get her tips on selling this fabulous destination.
Is there much interest among Australians for travel to Fiji?
Yes most definitely. It is one of the most popular international destinations for Australian holidaymakers to travel too.
Which areas are most popular?
The Coral Coast, Denarau and the Mamanuca Islands.
What sort of travellers are visiting Fiji?
Couples, honeymooners, families, singles, elderly, special interest groups like yoga enthusiasts, wedding parties, conference and team building organisers and then those interested in a sport like diving, fishing, surfing and school excursions.
What should an agent consider when selling Fiji?
Identifying what area is best suited for their clients. Fiji offers so much from a flop and drop type holiday to an adventure holiday. From Cultural experiences to some of the world’s best diving sights. Work out what your clients budget is, what they want to achieve or experience from their holiday and then sell them the holiday that best meets their desires and budget.
What resorts would you recommend for families, couples and adventure seekers?
Families – I personally love the Islands so places like Vomo Island, Castaway Island and Malolo Island are my three fave spots. But I also think that the Coral Coast resorts and some of the Denarau Resorts can suit some families better.
Couples – If I was travelling to Fiji as a couple, I would choose to stay at one of the adult only resorts like Yasawa Island, Likuliku Island, Royal Davuii or Lomani.
Adventure Seekers – I would probably send them off to Pacific Harbour for white water rafting, zip lining or a Jet Ski safari, staying at the Warwick resort on the Coral Coast or looking at the Pearl Resort at Pacific Harbour.
Have you seen much of an effect on bookings from the cyclone?
Yes… I had a number of clients who had to cancel and change destinations. I had clients who had to defer their travel due to the resorts being closed with cyclone damage, I also had clients who couldn’t stay where they first wanted to and had to choose to spend their time in Fiji somewhere else. I did travel to Fiji myself in May and I could see some effects caused by Cyclone Winston, but I am happy to report that the Fijians were still the same beautiful people. Repairing roads and resorts with smiles on their faces. Winston may have destroyed villages and damaged resorts but it didn’t damage or destroy the Fiji people and their spirts
