Briefs
Business
Fiji
That seemingly most unlikely of tourism combinations, upmarket facilities for low-budget backpackers, has been announced by Bounty Island Resort, a new venture close to the west coast of Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu. The resort, which opened in August will be ecofriendly. Set up by nearby Treasure Island Resort as an alternative to their pricier establishment and to take advantage of the growing backpacker market in Fiji, Bounty boasts 48 acres of "untouched tropical island gardens" and a coconut plantation. Accommodations feature family-size tents and dormitory beds as well as private rooms. Children under 12 years are half price.
—ND
Fiji and New Caledonia
Fiji and New Caledonia, neither free from pressing social and political problems, at least have increases in tourism numbers to cheer them. Arrivals from Australia, Fiji’s biggest market, rose by an impressive 43 per cent for the first four months of this year, stimulated by vigorous promotion and bargain price deals. April was particularly encouraging, with overall increases up by 14.4 per cent over the same month last year, despite a decline in visitors from New Zealand. Somewhat more modestly, New Caledonia’s tourism arrivals increased by 4 percent during the first five months of 2002. Between January and May almost 40,000 visitors landed at Tontouta International Airport. The significant Japan and New Zealand markets declined, but arrivals from Australia rose, as did visitors from metropolitan France.
—ND
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New Zealand-Hawai‘i
Hawai‘i-based Outrigger Hotels and Resorts is actively looking for properties in New Zealand. The company hopes to operate up to six hotels there in the next three years. Outrigger Vice President Bill Henderson says the company sees Aotearoa as attractive to American tourists because it is "a safe, clean destination." New Zealand also adds a temperate, winter destination to the Outriggers’ formerly all-tropical holdings.
—SW
Papua New Guinea
Air Niugini, PNG’s financially strapped flag carrier, has been saved from impending collapse once again, signing another code-share arrangement with Qantas. Beginning this month, competition between the two carriers on PNG-Australia services will be replaced by cooperation. Under the arrangement, Air Niugini was obliged to replace its venerable Airbus with a Boeing 767. An earlier code-share deal with Qantas resulted in an increase in revenues for the PNG airline.
—ND
Palau
A tugboat barge carrying over 7,000 tons of gravel aggregate for Palau’s 53-mile long Compact Road project ran aground on Ngaremlengui Passage reef on June 29. Shortly thereafter, Force 9 gale winds struck the area, washing more than 1,000 tons of aggregate over the sides of the barge and onto the reef, causing extensive environmental damage. Salpro Marine Salvage Co., hired by the ship-owner Labroy Shipping PTE Ltd., was able to remove the tug and its 17,000 gallons of fuel on July 15, but the barge itself remains stuck. At the time of the grounding, both the tug and the barge were on "time charter" to IDHI Ports and Shipping Co. in the Philippines. The Palauan government is currently seeking damages from the company. The accident could have a positive impact on Palau’s environmental laws. President Remengesau introduced a bill to the national Legislature seeking stiffer penalties against firms that damage Palau’s environment.
—RS
Guam
Guam-based Asia Pacific Airlines was awarded a one-year contract with the U.S. Postal Service to carry parcels between Honolulu and Guam. Federal Aviation Agency security regulations in the wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks prohibited the postal service from shipping packages weighing more than 16 oz. in passenger aircraft. Letters and other permitted mail cargo will continue to be flown on Continental passenger flights.
—FW
Micronesia
Unable to find a buyer for four of its central Pacific branches, Bank of Hawaii announced that its Majuro, Pohnpei, Kosrae and Yap offices will close November 30. Bank of Hawaii's West Pacific Division manager, Ronald H. Leach, made the announcement in Majuro on August 16. BOH has already sold virtually all of its South Pacific, Asia and U.S. mainland holdings. The bank sought buyers for its central Pacific branches, but none came forward. About 40 employees will be affected by the closure. BOH will maintain branches in Guam, Saipan and Palau.
—GJ
Samoa
Samoa’s minimum wage will rise about U.S. .06 cents (20 sene) per hour on October 1. The legislation was signed into law raising the minimum wage from SA$1.40 to $1.60 (about US$0.53). Samoa’s relatively low minimum wage makes neighboring American Samoa very attractive for its higher wages: workers in American Samoa earn a minimum wage of US$2.73 per hour. The tuna canneries in Pago Pago, whose workforce is about 80 percent from Samoa, pay a minimum wage of $3.26 an hour.
—FS
Contributors: Norman Douglas, Rebecca Stanfel, Frank Whitman, Fili Sagapolutele, Giff Johnson, Scott Whitney
