Another historic milestone will be reached in our tourism industry next month as we will welcome the first direct flight from Taiwan to Nadi. It opens yet another new market

by rachna lal, suva

Another historic milestone will be reached in our tourism industry next month as we will welcome the first direct flight from Taiwan to Nadi. It opens yet another new market – Taiwan.

The new market is being opened by Rosie Holidays, Fiji Airways, Tourism Fiji and key Fijian resort and service suppliers.

Taipei-based tour company, EzTravel, has chartered Fiji Airways for two direct flights.

This will be another Fiji first with Fiji Airways flying non-stop Taipei-Nadi using its Airbus A330-200.

Rosie Holidays, which has been over the past 10 years working hard to develop new markets of Korea, India and China, is the Fijian ground operator for the charter.

Taiwan is another new and exciting market as the Nadi based tour company continues to lead the industry

Rosie Group managing director Tony Whitton and general manager Eroni Puamau have signed this exclusive agreement with chief executive for ezTravel Mr You.

The first flight will arrive on February 5 (FJ2332) with the second flight arriving February 10 for four night stays.

The two flights coincide with four charter flights from China (two each from Shanghai and Beijing) also being brought in by Rosie Holidays.

The purpose of the visits is more to celebrate the Chinese New Year which people in Taiwan also celebrate at the same time as mainland China.

For Fiji, February is generally a low season for tourism whilst on the other hand, it is a high season for many of the new and emerging markets of China and Taiwan.

The flights are expected to deliver an additional 500 new tourists providing a boost to our numbers.

Importance

Mr Whitton said these charter flights from Taiwan were important for Fiji for three reasons.

He explained it provides more jobs, more foreign exchange earnings and diversification, to ensure our base of tourism arrivals has a good spread.

“Close to 80 per cent of Fiji’s visitor arrivals come from three countries – Australia, New Zealand, and North America,” he said.

“These markets are important and absolutely critical for Fiji. But it’s also important for Fiji to invest not only in these traditional markets, but also find new emerging markets like Taiwan.

“To have close to 500 new and affluent Taiwanese visitors, travel 11 hours to enjoy and new and authentic experience is good for the economy.

“The truth these visitors would have travelled to Maldives, Thailand, Mauritus or Indonesia.

“This year we have been able to inspire them to come to Fiji at a time when hotels need the business.

“They will be bringing in vital foreign currency to spend at hotels, restaurants, take tours, go shopping , visit Fijian villages and enjoy a wonderful and pristine tropical setting surrounded by the happiest people in the world.”

Tapping the market

Rosie Holidays foray into the charter flight market was spear-headed by Mr Puamau.

He said: “Rosie Holidays, Tourism Fiji and our Resort partners have been visiting Taiwan for the past four years conducting Road Shows and promoting the unique attributes of the Fiji.

“It’s good to see that investment from Rosie Holidays, Fiji Airways and our Resort partners finally paying off.

“Patience and perseverance will eventually deliver a reward. ezTravel is one of the leading Taiwanese tour operators and we are honoured to be their partners on the ground delivering a world class experience.

“We hope that these charters will operate every year and provide sufficient confidence for scheduled services from Nadi.”

Feedback: rachnal@fijisun.com.fj