No. 8

Excerpts from several newsletter and other sources, September 2009

The Mauri Mark Working Committee
The Mauri Mark Working Committee has now been created with its members comprising representatives from the two Councils – the Betio Town Council, and the Tarawa Urban Council, Health Inspector, President of the Kiribati Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Development Officer, Head of Kiribati National Tourism Office, and the Tourism Advisor. At the Committee’s first meeting held this week, one of the issues discussed was the new mechanism for Auditing of Accommodation. An Auditing team will be set up consisting of Health Inspector, Tourism Development Officer and An Engineer representing the Ministry of Works and Energy. For the information of all our operators the second round of auditing will be carried out at a date to be advised by the Auditing team as soon as these changes have been incorporated in the Mauri Mark Program and criteria. (Source: Te Kaongora - Kiribati National Tourism Office August Newsletter)

The Cook Islands
    ~The only place in the world that is RECESSION FREE!
Book a Cook Islands holiday by 30 September and go in the draw to win a Suzuki swift sport! 2 cars up for grabs..one for a consumer and one for the consultant who books the most CI holidays. Go to www.cookislandsexperience.com  for details.
2009 CI Major Events: Te Maeva Nui Celebrations 10-21 September
Pacific Mini Games Cook Islands 21 Sept-2 October & International 7s Rugby Tournament 20th Anniversary 5-7 November.

Connection to Tonga
Chathams Pacific:-  Tonga's domestic airline and domestic charter provider.Chathams Pacific is a subsidiary of Air Chathams Ltd which operates within New Zealand to and from the Chathams  Islands. Chathams Pacific ensure to operate a safe and efficient air service that will encourage growth in air travel within Tonga and benefit the community by providing a stable service for the private, business and tourist travellers within the Kingdom. Visit their website for further information:  www.chathamspacific.com 

Tuvalu is turning its devastating annual high tide into a festival to attract tourists.
The island chain, which at its highest is just four metres above sea level, will hold its first King Tide Festival in February 2010.
Tourism officer for the Tuvalu government, Fakasoa Tealei, says sea levels are an issue that threatens Tuvaluans.
"At the same time we are holding festivals and music, games and activities and we want people to see the impacts of the sea level rise especially climate change towards every Tuvaluans who live on this earth," he said.
Fakasoa Tealei says during a king tide there is water everywhere, and that threatens Tuvaluans all over the world.
A researcher at Melbourne's Victoria University, Terry DeLacy, says this sort of eco-tourism is something that many Pacific Island countries are looking at introducing.
"What they're doing in Tuvalu is a wonderful opportunity because tourism brings real export earnings, real dollars and real money into these communities which is much needed and gives great opportunities for development," he said. "They are very challenged and vulnerable to climate change many of the Pacific islands, the most vulnerable of anywhere in the world and if they can bring that together, how good is that?"

Source: Pacific Island Report / Sep 07, 2009

source:

 NIB

 Sep 23, 2009

Sep 7, 2009