Fiji Continues To Attract More Canucks
Representatives from 20 Fijian companies swept into Vancouver on a chilly morning recently for Bulapalooza, a whirlwind road show to meet Canadian tour operators and travel agents, reports Press Today’s Beatrice Ang, who attended the event.
Forty-four travel advisors from 22 agencies and wholesalers in the country were in attendance at Fiji’s Bulapalooza, held at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Some travelled from other parts of the country to be in attendance.
Such was the magnetic draw of Fiji. According to the arrival numbers, Canadians are flocking to its alluring shores. Year-to-date figures reveal that there is a 173% increase in Canuck visitors.
“The Canada market for Fiji is skyrocketing,” said Ruth Daly, Tourism Fiji’s regional director for North America. “So far in 2023 (from Jan. to Sep.), Canada has already sent 16,167 visitors to Fiji, compared to a total of 9,897 in all of 2022,” she continued. March 2023 saw the largest number of Canadians to ever visit Fiji in one month – a total of 2,193 Canadian visitors.
The event comprised plenary sessions on how to sell Fiji, followed by a one-on-one speed dating session and trade show, allowing Fijian suppliers to provide quick insights on their products. There was also plenty of time to network. What does Tourism Fiji hope to achieve with this quick road trip? Daly said, “We want to inspire and educate Canadian travel professionals by giving them the information they need to sell Fiji with passion!”
To cater to potentially more visitors during its peak period, Stroebel Bekker, regional GM Americas for Fiji Airways, told attendees that the airline will add a third flight on Wednesdays to its YVR-NAN route in December 2023 and January 2024. This route now features a new A350-900 aircraft with fully lie-flat seats in Business Class and the Bula seats in Economy Class. These offer more legroom space with a 34’’ seat pitch and 6-degree recline.
The event was also a good opportunity to introduce Tourism Fiji’s new trade partnerships manager for North America. As the contact for the travel trade, Brianna McCarthy can be reached at bmccarthy@tourismfiji.com.fj.
Vancouver was the only Canadian stop for Bulapalooza; the trade mission will head to San Francisco and Los Angeles next.
Go to www.fiji.travel for more.
Photos by Beatrice Ang
TOP
Seen here, from l to r, are James McCann, director, Yasawa Island Resorts & Spa; Samantha Muspratt, director of sales/marketing, Ahura Resorts; Karen Marvell, director sales & marketing, Vomo Island Fiji; Fiona Wozney, director of sales & marketing, Koro Sun Resorts & Rainforest Spa & Andy Keown, media rep for Tourism Fiji.
MIDDLE
In the photo, from l to r, are Susan Bejeckian, principal, SASB Public Relations; Fiona Wozney, director of sales & marketing, Koro Sun Resorts & Rainforest Spa; Natalie Marletta, GM, The Pearl Resort; Adeline Lee-Erasito, director of business development, Rosie Holidays & Ren West, sales & marketing rep for Wakaya Resort & Spa
