Taipei flight

Set to sign up Taipei flight

AIR New Zealand is believed to be on the verge of signing an agreement with Taiwan for Auckland/Nadi (Fiji)/ Taipei flights. The New Zealand Gov ernment, Air New Zealand, the Republic of China, China Airlines and Eva Airlines are believed to be negotiating the flight details.

The tourism industry is keen to link up with the economically attractive Tai wan, but negotiations have been sensitive in view of relations with China. The 15-nation South Pacific Forum also has been considering including Taiwan and China as dialogue partners, but China has been lobbying for Taiwan’s ex clusion. This was a key part of the invitational visit to China by Fiji’s president, Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau, last month. China is objecting that the Fiji Government agreed to a one-China policy when it set up diplomatic relations with Beijing in 1975.

Tuvalu hotel boost TAIWAN is selecting its construction team to build a new 16-room hotel in Tuvalu. According to project economist

for the Tourism Council of the South Pacific, Jan-B Bjarnason, it has been designed mainly for the locals, but with rooms which could be a basis for tourism

expansion. The European Community

funded the design and tender process. An 1987 estimate costed the middle-range hotel at SAUS2 million.

Vanuatu boom A TOURISM boom in Vanuatu has led the Royal Radison Palms Resort to plan a 100-room extension, just 12 months after opening early last year. The extension will cost SUS6.S million. The 165-room resort has had a record 75 per cent occupancy recently, while the two other major hotels in Port Vila, Le Lagon and The Iririki are also enjoying boom times. The Iririki is also planning an extension.

Courting Japan

THE chairman of The Forum and Vanuatu’s Prime Minister, Father Walter Lini, has asked Japanese Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu to encourage Japan to play a bigger role in the region’s tourism and trade promotion. Father Fini asked for assistance in establishing a South Pacific Trade and Tourism Office in Tokyo, and for consideration of funding to develop tourism in the region.

He expected two groups of Japanese businessmen to visit Vanuatu in April, one to consider charter flights.

Seat-sharing deal

VANUATU’S national carrier, Air Vanuatu, has signed a seat-sharing agreement with New Caledonia’s Air Caledonie International. Under the agreement, Air Vanuatu will buy 10 seats on Air Caledonie’s four flights a week from Noumea and Port Vila.

Niu motels earmarked THE NIU Government has set aside 5U5450,000 to boost its private sector, including SUS3OO,OOO earmarked for construction of motels. Emphasis has been placed on a reliable, regular air service to boost the visitor industry, and efforts arc being made to increase development money from the French, Chinese and American governments.

Facelift for Naigani FIJI’S Mystery Island (Naigani) has been bought by Jim and Lavinia Ah Koy. A 51.5 million program has been started, including 40 new single and double occupancy bures to boost existing multi-family share bures, a swimming pool using a fresh water spring and a

jogging track and gymnasium.