New cruises and flights, and a boost in surf tourism proves that nothing beats a holiday in our tropical backyard.
After four years of being closed, the hotly anticipated The Westin Denarau Island Resort and Spa is set to reopen in July. The five-star Fijian resort has undergone a FJD $75 million ($A50 million) renovation of all guestrooms, restaurants and public areas. The new look will be a fusion of contemporary design and traditional Fijian style, paying homage to the history of the islands.
A new fast catamaran service will be joining the popular South Sea Cruises fleet in Fiji. Seating up to 40 guests, South Sea Cats will whisk holidaymakers from the mainland to resorts in the Mamanuca Islands when it launches early next year. Along with the transfers, the two new vessels will also be used for morning and afternoon guided snorkelling excursions, during which they’ll feature an inflatable slide.
The World Surf League Finals will return to Fiji next year. The tour’s top five male and female surfers will battle it out for the World Title at infamous Cloudbreak, facing off in a one-day competition to wrap up the Championship Tour season. Tourism Fiji CEO Brent Hill says he’s stoked Cloudbreak has been chosen.
“This event boosts our global visibility as well as uplifts communities and inspires our local surfers,” Hill says. Picture: WSL
Fancy waiting for a flight in a beach bar? Well, you will be able to do just that this summer at Faa’a International Airport, on the island of Tahiti. Renovations are underway at the airport, with a new beach-themed bar in the international boarding area to open this December, along with a pizza vending machine (yes, you read that right), and a new food court. The domestic boarding lounge will also get a facelift by the end of 2025, while a second taxiway is on the cards, making flying in and out of French Polynesia more appealing than it already is.
In September next year, Papua New Guinea will be celebrating its 50th year of independence from Australia. However, whether the occasion will be peaceful or marred by unrest can be a gamble for travellers. Smartraveller advises a high degree of caution due to crime and tribal violence, and The Kokoda Track is currently blockaded by landowners. But WWII history buffs and hikers may want to keep their eyes on Kokoda’s reopening in the lead-up to Independence Day, and, if open, book with a reputable company such as World Expeditions.
Visitor numbers to the Cook Islands have been higher than expected, even during traditionally slow travel periods, according to new tourism data. Cook Islands Tourism CEO Karla Eggelton says the country has experienced an extraordinary year thanks to an industry-wide team effort.
“Our marketing efforts in the past year have focused not simply on visitor numbers, but on spreading our visitors throughout the year, and encouraging them to spend more time here to enjoy the unique and authentic people and experiences.”
Tourism accounts for 70.6 per cent of the Cook Islands’ GDP.
Swim with dolphins and humpback whales off the tiny island nation of Niue with Diveplanit Travel. The online travel agency has teamed up with family-owned Explore Niue to offer wildlife encounters, snorkel and island tours, and fishing charters. Niue is located near Tonga, and scuba divers rave about the incredible water visibility (50 metres-plus) and vibrant reef. Niue is also in the migratory path of humpback whales and you can see them passing from your room’s balcony.
Lap up island life aboard one of the most stylish ships at sea, Scenic Eclipse II by Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours. This cruise season is the first time Scenic has had a ship based in Oceania, and next year will see a raft of new South Pacific itineraries. Treasures of the Pacific: The Yasawas to New Zealand is a new 13-day trip that leaves from Lautoka, Fiji. It then visits Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Norfolk Island and New Zealand; departure is November 2025. Picture: Scenic
It may be low cost but Jetstar certainly helps connect travellers to small ports around the world, and one of its newest routes is Sydney to Port Vila, Vanuatu. The inaugural flight is scheduled for December 12, and the airline will offer up to four weekly flights between the cities. Vanuatu is a new destination for Jetstar, and the route follows Qantas’s new Brisbane to Port Vila service launched in September.
Luxury cruise line PONANT has a new 17-day itinerary taking in Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands and Fiji. Passengers aboard the m/s Paul Gauguin depart Darwin for Thursday Island to learn about our WWII history. They then move onto PNG, and the Solomon Islands, with a stop in the capital of Honiara. Port Vila and Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu are next, before the cruise ends in Lautoka, Fiji’s second-largest city. An Escapade in the Heart of Melanesia sets sail mid-April.
Professional surfers have been riding the big waves of Teahupoʻo for decades but the Paris Olympics has shown the rest of the world why French Polynesia is special. Caroline Brunel, from Tahiti Tourisme, says there has been a “significant spike” in interest in the destination, and there is strong potential for surf tourism growth in 2025. But, she says, Tahiti is more than just Teahupo’o.
“Tahiti offers pristine conditions for surfers, and we’re excited to introduce more travellers to the lesser-known surf spots, spreading the benefits of tourism across the islands,” she says.
“Beginners and intermediates can enjoy surf spots like Orofara and Taharuu, or explore Moorea, Raiatea, and the Tuamotu atolls, which offer more accessible breaks.” Picture: Steve Dickinson
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