Fiji was hit by tropical Cyclone Winston in May, wiping out schools, houses, crops, churches and roads in the island nation. But as the recovery efforts continue, it is ‘bula’ as usual for much of the resilient country.
by Sheridan Rhodes
AUSTRALIANS are encouraged to make Fiji part of their travel plans in a bid to help the country get back on its feet following Cyclone Winston. Fiji is ready to welcome Aussie travellers with more than 90% of resorts open for business, says Damend Gounder, chairman of Fiji’s Tourism Advisory Group (TAG). “Australians have always shown great affection for the Fijian people, and are the country’s biggest source market. Their extended family in Fiji looks forward to welcoming them.”
Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort general manager Peter Hopgood agreed. Tourism provides more than 35% of Fiji’s gross domestic product (GDP) and is also the country’s biggest employer, he said. “We need our resorts to be busy so that we can employ more Fijians.”
On Fiji’s Coral Coast all resorts are operating at 100% capacity, while day-tours and activities are fully operational, says Hopgood. “At Outrigger it is actually even better than prior to Cyclone Winston as we have just opened a newly refurbished resort swimming pool. The refurbishment cost the resort $500,000 and it looks amazing.”
Some Australian travellers nonetheless were forced to postpone or cancel planned stays at resorts hard hit by the cyclone.
Several major resorts including Vomo Island Resort (reopening 1 September), Laucala (reopening 1 July), Mana Island Resort (reopening 28 July) and Jean Michel Cousteau Fiji Island Resort (reopening 1 September) remain closed while damage is assessed and repairs carried out.
Where possible though Aussie travellers are going ahead with travel plans says Kate Stevens from Fiji for Families. “All the resorts are helping each other out and many are offering fantastic recovery deals to drive business.”
Stevens said the only way to get Fiji back on its feet is to book a holiday. “The locals rely on tourism and they need people travelling, so they can keep their jobs in the resorts. They are such amazing and resilient people and have kept smiling throughout.”
For Australian travellers there has never been a cheaper time to travel to Fiji. Fiji Airways, Jetstar and Virgin Australia have released sales fares to encourage Australians to travel to Fiji in the wake of the cyclone. Resorts too are offering competitive deals with free nights and bonus offers.
Andrew Stanbury, Fiji Airway’s regional general manager, said they’re pleased to see Australian travellers booking Fiji again.
“We hope that people will continue to take advantage of the competitive prices we are offering on flights from both Australia and the domestic flights that connect them to these islands.”
Hopgood said airfares were the cheapest he’d seen in the past four years. There are also some terrific bargains for resort accommodation, he said, particularly through Hoot Holidays, Ignite Holidays, Fusion Holidays and Flight Centre.
“The Fijians are jumping out of their skins to welcome guests back to our resorts. While they’ve always been super friendly they are really appreciative of guests coming back to Fiji after the cyclone. The “Bula” spirit is definitely bigger and better.”
Altruistic reasons aside however is now a good time to go?
“Absolutely,” says Andrew Stanbury, Fiji Airway’s regional general manager, Australia. “The sun is shining, the beer is cold and the water warm.” For updates on Fiji following Cyclone Winston see twitter.com/TourismFiji; http:// fijiforfamilies.com.au/latest-fiji-resorts-statusafter- tropical-cyclone-wilson/
