Port Denarau Marina News

Million Dollar Industry

Sat, 05 Nov 2011 10:16:12 +1300

THE yachting industry has high economic potential, according to a policy dialogue paper prepared by the Marine Operators Sub Committee of the Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association in association with Sustainable Tourism International Ltd.

The Information Ministry said the presentation by John Philips of the Yachting Tourism of Fiji highlighted a positive trend as well as the high economic potential of the industry towards Fiji's growth.

Prepared in 2010, it is the first ever written document exclusively analysing the yachting tourism sector in Fiji and also revealed positive trends of the yachting sector, the statement said.

"Sustainable and viable tourism alternative, yachting tourism doesn't rely on airport so if there is an airport strike our customers are still happily spending money. Yachting is largely unrecognised and misunderstood by many of the government agencies involved in its regulation but that is now changing," Mr Philips said.

"We do see a need to inform all the government agencies exactly what yachting tourism is, thus the yachting industry has conducted its own survey. It is an online survey conducted on 50 yachts that visited Fiji last year.

"Many times over, we've witnessed the negative effects of uninformed regulatory actions on the growth of the industry that's why we formed this lobby group.

"A total of 7,436 tourists visited Fiji in the yacht tourism sector. The average length of stay in Fiji is 136 days for super yachts which is tremendous and 116 days for cruising yachts," Mr Philips said.

"Every single day they are in Fiji, they're spending money. The average spend per super yachts is $122,000. Average spend per cruising yacht is $32,000."

According to Mr Philips, the total directing spend last year was $33 million and direct revenue to the government was $3.8 million.

"The yacht survey conducted at Port Denarau in 2010 suggests that super yachts, although less in number and overall passengers, have an average spend $122,143 which is more than other yachts $32,733.

"While super yachts are a relatively new market segment for Fiji, it is regarded as having significant potential.

"It is estimated that there are about 10,000 super yachts registered around the world with around 200 currently under construction," Mr Philips said.

The survey also highlighted improved tax regulation which was made possible after a ground breaking meeting by the Marine Operators Sub Committee and Fiji Revenue Customs Authority last year.

"Positive changes included the abolition of the antiquated Domestic Clearance, duties on alcohol applied only to alcohol consumed in Fiji and not the entire ship stores, no need to apply for code 239 if entered 228, streamlining process for the five per cent duty on yachts imported into Fiji and Port Denarau and Port Mariner considered Ports of Entry."

Mr Philips is optimistic that with Fiji's geographical amenities and good international flight connection, the yachting tourism sector has a high potential for future growth.

"We believe Fiji should have the biggest multi-million dollar yachting industry in the Pacific."

Royal Visit

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 08:35:40 +1300

Fiji has just had a visit from the Sovereign Prince of Monaco, Prince Albert II, and his wife Princess Charlene.

They flew in to cruise our islands in a superyacht, underscoring the growth of Fiji as a superyacht cruising destination – and boosting Fiji’s superyacht profile.

The Prince and Princess were married in a beautiful ceremony in the millionaire mecca Mediterranean principality of Monaco in July. The happy couple came to New Zealand to see the Rugby World Cup and took the time to visit Fiji for a superyacht cruise.

They were offered the use of one owned by a friend from Monaco. This was moored at Nadi’s Port Denarau Marina, the centre of the growing local superyacht business.

The royal couple arrived at Nadi International Airport on the Prince’s private jet and immediately went to board the superyacht. Their home for the stay in Fiji was the $60 million Exuma, an Italian-designed and built vessel.

It arrived from Europe via Tahiti and Tonga on September 5. The yacht has visited Fiji previously and the owner is a lover of the country, the people and the lifestyle.

EQUIPPED

Exuma is equipped with two large doors in the bow which open to give water level access to the equipment deck where all of the equipment for recreational activities are stored. There is a hovercraft, an amphibious car, fishing tenders and gear, diving gear, and a range of other items to help everyone enjoy the destination.

While here the Royal couple did a lot of diving and snorkeling in the beautiful waters of the Yasawas and Mamanucas and spent a lot of time on the different islands they visited.

Their trip included Malolo, Navadra, Soso Village on Naviti, Blue Lagoon for an afternoon, Sawa-i-Lau, to visit the Chandelier Caves and Nabukeru Village. They had lunch and a delightful barbecue dinner at the Yasawa Island Lodge.

AMPHIB CAR

Here they also brought the amphibious car ashore and drove around the island, much to the delight of the locals.

They went to Vomo on the last night for a farewell dinner, returning next morning to Port Denarau Marina, a short drive to the airport and flying out to Auckland. While they covered a lot of different experiences the trip was relaxed and unrushed.

On Naviti, the village presented a beautiful sevusevu and a very exciting meke performed by the younger people in the village. At Nabukeru they played touch rugby with the children from the village, an experience they thoroughly enjoyed. There is no report of who won the match.

Overall the visit was successful and the travel and experiences very memorable.

Fiji is growing in importance as a superyacht destination. Since the Superyacht Decree of 2010, the number of such yachts visiting and chartering out of Port Denarau Marina has dramatically increased.

The marina provides world class facilities for this type of vessel and the safety, friendliness, the unspoilt environment and the welcoming people are all added attractions that are putting Fiji on the superyacht map.

David Jameson, of Yacht Help Fiji, the company that handles most of the superyacht business in Fiji, has spent a great deal of time and money developing this segment of the tourism market,

MONACO SHOW

Each year he attends the Monaco Superyacht Show and promotes the destination and this year he was overwhelmed by the response.

As well as the Fiji country and people he sees the Charter Decree as a very important boost to the volume of arrivals. Fiji is starting to get a significant amount of superyacht business when compared to the Caribbean, the traditional European winter cruising area.

Mr Jamieson believes that the visit by the royal couple, well known in the superyacht fraternity, will help the development of this sector greatly.

And the superyacht industry is a significant contributor to the foreign earnings from Fiji Tourism.

Prince Albert is the son of the late Prince Rainier and Princess Grace.

Monaco is renowned as the home port of some of the most magnificent private yachts in the world. The Prince is the president of the Monaco Yacht Club and a keen yachtsman.

Announcing Fiji International Jazz and Blues Festival 2012

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 11:11:48 +1300

Tourism Fiji and Air Pacific Proudly Announce the 2nd

Fiji International Jazz and Blues Festival!

Port Denarau, Fiji

May 10th-13th, 2012.

Following on from the incredible Fiji 2011 International Jazz and Blues Festival the 2nd festival is now officially announced for 2012, May 10th - 13th.

Stunning Port Denarau, Fiji, rocked for 4 days this past May with an estimated 2000 people through the port for the festival. Port Denarau Retail Center General Manager, Aysha Koya comments: ‘We have never seen the Port like this, it was a great experience for our guests and our center’

Nigel Skeggs, CEO of Port Denarau Marina shares the enthusiasm: ‘It can be safely said that never since the day we opened have we seen so many people here, dancing and having a great time - we can’t wait for the next festival’

Musicians from around the world will again travel to Fiji with a line-up that includes stars of the jazz and blues worlds from Australia, New Zealand, England, the United States as well as Fiji’s own incredibly talented local bands.

The CEO of Tourism Fiji Josefa Tuamoto puts it like this, ‘This is a spectacular event which helps to cement Fiji’s status as the hub of South Pacific tourism as well as showcasing the world’s friendliest airline Air Pacific and our greatest asset Our people’.

Festival Director Billy Te Kahika adds, 'I intend this next festival to be bigger, brighter and better than our first event as a way of really leaving no doubt that our brand of Jazz and Blues festival is the premier event of the pacific’, ‘With thanks to our sponsors and the wonderfully talented, hand picked musicians, we will certainly do that!’

Artists confirmed already for 2012 include a repeat visit by the iconic Australian guitar hero Kevin Borich, acoustic maestro Paul Ubana Jones from the UK, Jazz Diva Julie Mason, NZ Blues guitarist Billy TK jnr and Fijian artists Dejavu and Tom Mawi, Fiji's very own George Benson'

Special flight and accommodation packages will be available from Air Pacific and the festival’s travel partners, so don’t delay, book now for your taste of ‘Music for the Soul in the Heart of Paradise’.

PM OK's Denarau Dredge Deal

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 11:07:52 +1300

Dredging works at the Denarau waters will begin in three weeks time after the Prime Minister, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama signed a contract with an Australian-based dredging company, Hall Contracting Limited yesterday.

Commodore Bainimarama visited Port Denarau in Nadi to see developments that needed to be done since the dredging works proposal was outlined in previous discussions.

“The Prime Minister visited the site today so that he can be updated on the dredging of the Denarau waters. This is done so that Port Denarau can now accommodate big cruise ships that visit the country,” Ministry of Works, Transport and Public Utilities, principal economic transport planning officer, Sainiana Radrodro said.

The dredging works has a budget of $3.9 million and will take up to four months to complete.

Mrs Radrodro said upon completion of the dredging works more cruise ships were expected to call into Denarau.

“We have confidence in the company that has been appointed to do the dredging works, the Government has worked with them from before, when they did dredging works in the Nadi River, Navua River and they worked within their time frame, so we are expecting works to be completed in January or February next year,” she said.

Port Denarau Marina boatyard unveils new facilities

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 09:30:17 +1200

Port Denarau is rapidly emerging as more than a tourism hub. It now has a world-standard boatyard to go with the shopping, dining and marina facilities that make it so popular.

It is providing a full range of boatyard facilities to help attract and service the growing number of cruising yachts and superyachts heading for our waters. It is also providing jobs for an increasing number of workers, up to 300 directly or indirectly already.

Managing director, Nigel Skeggs has told the Fiji Sun how Port Denarau Marina staff have worked tirelessly in the past couple of years to ensure that the boatyard reaches the standards sought.

"I am very proud of the achievements we have made to date as well as the ongoing commitment to excellence from both tenants and contractors," he said.

"We are receiving great feedback and there is currently a substantial amount of work being carried out on local and international boats providing huge benefits to the greater community."

The shipyard has just completed a full upgrade to bring all equipment up to international standards as they are predicting that future demands will be greater than at present.

The yard has been around for quite a while, but it was a very rudimentary facility capable of only handling small vessels and there was only a limited supply of services that had the skill levels required by the marine industry.

CURRENT OWNERS

The fledgling marina was then taken over by the current owners and a development plan was agreed. In the next nine years a great deal of money was spent to create the marine services facility that exists at Port Denarau Marina today.

And the owners continue to invest heavily in both further development and in the maintenance and upgrading of the existing equipment. The function of any marine yard begins with what is termed in the marine industry as "lifting out". This is taking a vessel out of the water and placing it in a position that allows for work to be carried out.

At Port Denarau vessels up to a total weight of 50 tonnes are lifted with a variety of specialised equipment.

For the maximum lifts there is a piece of equipment called a travel lift. It has a steel tower structure that is supporting two heavy slings which are lowered under the vessel parked in the lift bay. Engines built into the structure wind in the slings lifting the boat out of the water.

Then other engines drive the wheels and the vessel is moved to a convenient place in the hard stand area. A series of specialised props are placed under the vessel and the lift clears the area so that work can commence.

There is a variety of different lifting equipment used to perform special tasks, including one that can lift small boats up to twenty-five feet in the air and place them in dry storage racks.

CHETTY TO AUST

So important is the lifting function that the company is sending its foreman, Vinay Chetty, to undertake a course at Gold Coast City Marina in Australia to be certified to international standard.

On his return he will have to control 20 travel-lift operations, all of which must be videotaped and logged. He will then return to Australia and checked out by the Australian marine institute to earn an internationally recognised qualification. Once the vessel is on the hard stand and appropriately supported with props it is ready for work. With cruising yachts the owner and the crew carry out a lot of the work. But there are many activities that require highly qualified trades people and it is here that the Port Denarau infrastructure comes into its own.

Within the five-acre compound there are a number of businesses that are available for contract work in specific areas of marine applications.

All these contractors are separate businesses from the shipyard and all have their own employees. They are required to be registered with the yard and have their qualifications verified and only registered businesses are allowed to operate within the yard.

Every company is given a full briefing on the health and safety requirements within the workplace and are subject to an annual review by the Department of Labour.

These contractors offer a wide range of services including painting, fibreglass repair, sail making and sail repair, mechanical and electrical engineering, rigging, steel, stainless steel and aluminium welding and all types of timber fabrication.

There are also hydraulic engineers, outboard motor specialists, radio and radar engineers and instrument specialists.

BOAT VALUE

The international standard is that about ten percent of a boat’s value is spent each year on the maintenance of the vessel.

This makes the potential income for Fiji from these actives immense, and most of the money goes to the contractors working within the shipyard. Only a small portion is retained by the operators, While in the marina and yard the yachts also spend a considerable amount on daily living, again boosting the Fiji economy. Another part of the yard business is the storage of boats and to do this there are a number of solutions. For small boats there is a dry storage rack where boats at placed on specially designed shelves by a forklift, stacked up to four vertically. At the back of the hard stand area there is a storage stand for vessels that will be left on the dry for a relatively short period before being put in the water again.

Some cruising sailors want to sail for half the year and leave their yachts in Fiji during the cyclone season, before returning home. They then come back when the weather is good again and return to their travels.

To cater for this segment the shipyard has cyclone holes, pits into which the yacht keel is lowered, leaving the yacht safely standing with the topsides above ground and protected from the weather. There are many new land developments in the area such as Naisoso Island and Fantasy island, where there are numerous moorings being created and all these will create work.

The Superyacht visits to Fiji are also predicted to grow strongly and again excellent business will be created for the yard.

The shipyard provides a lot of employment in the Nadi area. The businesses registered with the yard have over three hundred permanent employees and the businesses also need support from other people outside the yard for special projects.

The yard operators are also very conscious of their obligations to protect the environment, especially as some of the liquids used need to be handled carefully.

All water drainage in the five acres is to a central pit where it is cleared of all oil contaminants before being released to the general environment.

Best international practices are used in all areas to ensure that everything is being done to minimise any negative impact. The company subscribes to the NZ based "Clean Green Marina" programme.

Lights On

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 15:29:57 +1200

An Australian-based charitable organisation, Its Time Foundation, has started a programme in Fiji to overcome the problems created by the diesel generators commonly used to provide electricity for island schools.

Its Time Foundation is identifying schools in the remote islands that depend on generators and then replacing their power needs with a renewable alternative.

solar panels are placed to take advantage of the available sunlight and recharge banks of storage batteries which provide electricity to the school.

It is being partnered locally by Nigel Skeggs, and his Port Denarau Marina.

“Its Time Foundation is most grateful for the developing association with Port Denarau Marina which is taking a lead position in the projects in Fiji,” Rob Edwards, Its Time Foundation founder, said.

“The marina is shaping as a great supporter of both kids in Fiji and the environment- including major support on their website and within the marina itself.”

Mr Skeggs, managing director of the Port Denarau Marina, is very excited about this partnership.

“We are working very closely with Rob Edwards to ensure that the children of Fiji get a great start to life through education as well as having a better understanding of the environment in which they live.

“The marina is very proud of its association and looks forward to assisting in the implementation of many projects in the future”.

REASON FOR

THE PROJECT

In Fiji, as in most South Pacific countries, the children on the more remote islands suffer in their education because of the need to use diesel generators to provide electricity for the school.

The diesel generator system is generally unreliable and over time it becomes more so. The cost of maintenance is high and because of the remoteness of the location is generally difficult to arrange on a regular basis.

Diesel fuel has to be shipped in to the island and it is expensive, often accounting for over 20 per cent of the schools resources costs, which have to be paid by the school board or the teachers (so they can have power in the evening).

For example, in cash terms Rabi Island High School is diverting approximately $7000 a year from fuel purchases to education resources. To save money and hold the fuel costs to a manageable level, the generator is often switched off for long periods during the day, and for most of the night.

This makes out-of-school hours study very difficult for some schools.

Diesel generators also contribute a significant volume of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) to the atmosphere, adding to the greenhouse gasses that cause climate change.

The average generator produces 2.45 kilograms of carbon dioxide for every litre of fuel used.

WHY SOLAR IS

WAY TO HELP

The solar panels are environmentally friendly, create no greenhouse gas emissions and are more reliable and require lower maintenance than the older generators they replace.

Electricity can be used continually throughout the day and there is a good supply for use during the hours of darkness.

And electricity from the solar panels can be generated seven days a week year round at no additional cost.

Solar panels cost nothing to run so they create additional funds for decades that can be spent on the children’s education, and each solar system that is installed saves many tonnes of carbon dioxide entering the atmosphere.

The cost of each solar system varies considerably depending on the size and needs of each school.

The foundation is committed to “future proofing” the installations by using premium equipment and building systems that substantially exceed the school’s current needs, hence meeting the school’s increasing needs for electronic learning equipment.

Computer and other electronic equipment are integral to our children’s future education and these systems cater for those growing needs.

HOW IT

WORKS

The Foundation is supported and financed by donations from many people outside the Pacific who are philanthropic and environmentally concerned.

The Foundation has as its purpose the improvement of educational outcomes for Pacific Island children and the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions in the region.

In Fiji the initial trial installation is already in place on Rabi Island and surveys are being carried out in the Mamanuca and Yasawa island groups.

Alan Hedstrom, the Principal of Rabi High School, says: “We cannot express how thankful we are for the kind donation of a solar system for the students of Rabi High School. The benefits for our school are both enormous and enduring.”

Port Denarau awarded Business House Award

Fri, 01 Jul 2011 15:11:37 +1200

Port Denarau has been presented with two National awards for our contribution to this years Blood Donor Drives. We were the National Business House Award winner and the western Business House Award winner for the most blood collected in the Western Division as well as most blood collected in Fiji. A big congratulations goes out to our very own Inez Fong-Toy who was one of the three organisers. Well Done.

Denarau blood drive

Fri, 27 May 2011 12:13:43 +1200

The need for blood at the country’s blood banks is always a matter of concern to relevant authorities.

One such group is the Port Denarau Blood Drive Committee.

The committee has organised their third blood drive at Port Denarau today.

The drive will be from 10am until 7pm.

Committee members Aysha Koya, Inez Fong Toy and Melissa Natawake are grateful to the generosity of those who donate blood to those in need.

“You never know when you’re going to be on the other side, the one who is in need of help from others.

“We want people to understand that donating blood really saves lives,” Miss Koya said. The trio believes that there is a great need for blood donors, especially those with rare blood types such as O Negative.

“Donating is easy, and for every person that donates, at least more than one patient will benefit,” said Mrs Fong Toy.

The members of the Port Denarau Blood Drive Committee said that many people aren’t aware that less than five per cent of the population donates blood, yet 80 per cent will need it at some time in their lives, or that every 2.5 seconds someone needs blood.

“I’m on the giving end today, but I recognise that I could just as easily be a recipient some day, I donate because I feel it’s the right thing to do,” Miss Natawake said.

They expressed gratitude to everyone that has helped them organise this third blood drive, especially supporters in the retail centre and marina.

They thanked Ritesh Patel of Hard Rock Café for donating food as well as supplying two members of his staff to help during the drive.

The support they were aided with for the event has awed the committee members.

The committee said business houses in the Nadi area have always been supportive of their cause.

“We’re lucky that the blood services have agreed to stay untill the evening, and this is because we get such great support from our fellow Port Denarau colleagues.

Music students jazz it up

Mon, 16 May 2011 12:58:40 +1200

Students of the Fiji National University were also part of the International Jazz and Blues Festival which was held at Port Denarau in Nadi last week.

The 47 students who supported the Déjà Vu band were happy to be part of the festival since most of them studied music at the university.

Fiji National University head of department for music Waqavou Utonivesi said it was a great opportunity for the students to upgrade their learning experience in the field of music.

She said the students participated with the band throughout the festival and so them to be around some recognised jazz and blues artists in the world was a good opportunity.

“It gives the students great exposure to the music industry,” she said.

“Learning it in class is not the same as them actually coming out and actually experiencing something like this,” she said.

“We, at the university, show our support for the students by introducing them to such events where they can upgrade their knowledge in the industry.

“During the night the students were performing with the Déjà Vu band and during the day they conducted music workshops at the Nadi campus.

“So they have something interesting to do during the day and later support the band in performing throughout the festival.”

Ms Utonivesi said the students were excited especially since jazz and blues was something that they only learned about in school.

The students also got the chance to hand out questionnaires to artists who were performing during the festival and get feedbacks on how jazz and blues first started and how it has evolved since then.

Jazz fest good return

Fri, 13 May 2011 12:18:06 +1200

Port Denarau Marina chief executive officer, Nigel Skeggs said the investment put into the Fiji International Jazz and Blues Festival will reap financial benefits.

"So far, in cash, between the marina and commercial centre, we have put in an investment of $60,000, and about $40,000 in other ways, so altogether in the vicinity of $100,000. What we anticipate, and are concentrating on, are the long term returns and not just instantaneous ones.

"We’ve put everything into this event, especially it being the first of its kind. From what we see so far, the branding it has will create for Denarau and Fiji, as a whole, great advantages that will remain after the event ends," said Mr Skeggs.

Visitors to the event are from the reaches of Switzerland, Germany, the Americas and Australia. A large contingent is expected from New Zealand as most of the performing artists are from there.

Mr Skeggs is confident that the festival will be back bigger and better next year.

Yacht business growing fast

Sat, 07 May 2011 12:19:22 +1200

This week two of the larger Superyachts (complete with their own helicopters sitting on the back deck) were among yachts berthed at Nadi’s Port Denarau Marina.

They, and the numerous smaller yachts now in Fiji, show the success of the Superyacht Charter Decree of 2010.

This decree was tabled by Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.

It put in place a number of initiatives to assist the viability of the industry, which at that time was inhibited by existing legislation.

This decree has now had almost 12 months in the market and the results have been spectacular.

There is now increasing interest from around the world amongst Superyachts for Fiji as a base of operations.

Forward bookings are showing strong growth.

A survey of the impact of Superyachts on the tourist industry in Fiji has just been completed. It was conducted by Port Denarau Marina and the Fiji Islands Hotel and Tourism Association Marine Industry Sub Committee.

It is estimated that in 2010, 700 yachts came to Fiji, of which 32 were Superyachts. The survey sample covered 50 vessels.

The survey only covers the revenue generated by foreign yachts visiting Fiji and does not take into account revenue from the domestic yacht market.

The total revenue from foreign yachts was estimated at $33 million.

The direct contribution to the government revenue was more than $3.8 million.

Departing guests also paid more than $613,000 in departure tax. More than 60 per cent of guests flew by the national carrier, Air Pacific contributing an estimated $6.6 million to their revenue.

In total there were 1006 guests on 32 Superyachts and 4567 guests on visiting yachts as well as a total of 1863 crew. Superyachts stayed in Fiji waters for an average of 136 days and visiting yachts for an average of 116 days.

By contrast, in 2010, cruise ship visits totalled 63 calls to various ports.

This with an estimated total of 96,000 passengers and an average stay of just over a day and a contribution to the Fiji economy of FJD6.4 million.

Although cruise ships bring significantly more passengers to Fiji, the impact on the economy is very much smaller than for yachts.

The industry is confident that the yachting tourism in Fiji, particularly the Superyacht segment is poised for significant growth over the next two years.

In announcing the decree, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum had said: “The superyacht industry is the top end of the tourism sector. It is hardly ever, if ever affected by recessions.

“We have come up with a decree which will allow these superyachts to come and charter in Fiji, to cruise in Fiji.

“This will be of enormous economic benefit to Fiji. This initiative is also in line with the Prime Minister’s Budget of 2010 in which we have reduced for example the duty on marine vessels, this now helps to assist to create a marine industry in Fiji.

“Superyachts are big hand spenders and when they come to Fiji, they will actually use our services, buy our food, spend their money here, use local employees.

“This Decree has enormous support from all sectors.”

COVERSTORY: Superyachts on the rise? New decree, untouched beauty lure $m business to our waters

Sun, 01 May 2011 13:00:59 +1200

Yacht tourism has been a growth industry worldwide over the past 10 years and was basically unaffected by the global economic crisis, making it an area of opportunity for many Pacific Islands countries.
Fiji has always enjoyed good business in the yachting area, mainly because of the country’s geographic placement, but was hindered in some of the opportunity areas by restrictive and somewhat archaic marine and immigration laws.
There is now increasing interest from around the world amongst superyachts for the Pacific as a base of operations because the traditional area for charter cruising during the Northern Hemisphere winter, the Caribbean, is overused, the environment not clean and safety issues are becoming a concern. So cruising yachts, particularly the superyachts, are turning to the Pacific as a cruising and charter area.
Superyachts are generally motor powered, over 50 metres in length, luxuriously fitted with all sorts of toys including helicopters, and carry a crew of between 12 and 18. Generally, they have accommodation for 12 guests.
The yacht tourism sector is growing rapidly in Fiji, due mainly to a decision by the government to provide a better legal environment for the industry.
The Superyacht Decree of 2010, first tabled in late 2009 by the Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, puts in place a number of initiatives to assist with the viability of the industry.
This decree has now been implemented for the last 12 months and the results have been spectacular.
In early May, there were two superyachts (complete with their own helicopters sitting on the back deck) and a number of smaller charter yachts at the Port Denarau marina and a number operating from other ports in Fiji.
The untouched beauty of the islands, the unpolluted environment and the very friendly attitude of the local people combine to enhance the attraction of the destination.
Another factor in Fiji’s favour is the relative ease of access. Most charter passengers fly in, take the charter and then fly out again, so airline services are important.
Air Pacific, the country’s national carrier, offers excellent connections to all the main source markets with flights departing Los Angeles late afternoon and arriving early the next morning in Nadi, the gateway to the cruising areas.
Fiji also has a number of quality marinas and excellent facilities for servicing yachts. Yachts can charter out of a selected port knowing that both regular maintenance and emergency repairs can be undertaken without too much trouble.
A survey of the impact of superyachts on the tourist industry in Fiji has just been completed.
It was conducted by the Port Denarau marina for the FIHTA Marine Industry Committee.
It is estimated that in 2010, 700 yachts came to Fiji, 32 of which were superyachts.
The survey sample covered 50 vessels. The survey only covers the revenue generated by foreign yachts visiting Fiji and does not take into account revenue from the domestic yacht market.
The total revenue from foreign yachts was estimated at FJ$33 million; FJ$3.9 million from superyachts and FJ$21.8 million from yachts and the direct contribution to the government revenue was over FJ$3.8 million. Departing guests also paid over FJ$613,000 in departure tax.
Over sixty percent of the guests flew by the national carrier, Air Pacific, contributing an estimated FJ$6.6 million to their revenue.
In total, there were 1006 guests on 32 superyachts and 4567 guests on visiting yachts as well as a total of 1863 crew.
Superyachts stayed in Fiji waters for an average of 136 days and visiting yachts for an average of 116 days.
By contrast, in 2010, cruise ship visits totalled 63 calls to various ports with an estimated total of 96,000 passengers, and average stay of just over a day and a contribution to the Fiji economy of FJ$6.4 million.
Although cruise ships bring significantly more passengers to Fiji, the impact on the economy is very much smaller than for yachts.
Nigel Skeegs, of Port Denarau Marina, says "Fiji is entering a very exciting phase in tourism, of which we hope to see yachting in Fiji as a major contributor to our economy.
“The Government of Fiji has made many changes of late with the extension of visiting yachts time allowed in the country to 18 months, duty on importation of yachts to 5%, the Super Yacht Charter Decree and, finally, the refinement of the outdated domestic clearance legislation.
“Both Port Denarau Marina and Vuda Marina are working very closely with relevant government departments in the hope of becoming ports of entry to ultimately give the visiting tourist a more streamlined and cleaner method of entering and exiting the country.
“The Fiji Navy has also taken over all hydrographic services for Fiji and are about to embark on a huge project of resurveying Fiji waters.
“With many soundings dating back to pre-World War One and chart datums being incorrect, this will be a welcome resource for our domestic boating community as well as that of our visitors.”
Skeegs said one of the biggest concerns for the yachting industry in Fiji now is the lack of marinas and berths for both yachts and superyachts.
“For the industry to grow, we need facilities spread throughout Fiji and this requires considerable investment in dredging and infrastructure.
“Unfortunately, with all marinas in Fiji being under price control, there is no incentive to build and develop by marinas.
“The Commerce Commission is controlling all charges by marinas including the protection of all foreign vessels and superyacht charges,” Skeegs said.
However, the industry is confident the yachting tourism in Fiji, particularly the superyacht segment, is poised for growth in the next two years.
There are a number of infrastructure developments planned that will make the area even more attractive for chartering.
In addition, the Fiji government continues to seek ways to support the industry.

Festival supports local products

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 12:56:45 +1200

Vibrant Port Denarau is gearing up for the first ever International Jazz and Blues Festival which is scheduled to be held for a stunning run of four nights live entertainment from the 12th to 15th of May this year.

But the organisers of this much-looked forward to event on the Nadi calendar are not only aiming to make it an occasion of high energy and fun but also one with a local conscience.

Festival Director, Billy Te Kahika is at the forefront of the organising and is ensuring that as much as possible, locally-sourced resources are utilised to aid with the local economy and local people.

Final preparations are underway, and according to Mr Te Kahika have been going along quite well.

“I have been trying to source as much of our equipment and requirements as possible from local suppliers to support the local economy which has been going very well,” he said.

Mr Te Kahika said an added advantage that Fiji held was that it had available facilities which were not often the case with most other Pacific Island nations.

“Fiji has a number of facilities we don’t easily find in the Pacific which has been helpful - and Denarau is just built to be the host of an amazing event like this,” said Mr Te Kahika.

He said that ticket sales have been steady, but with the event drawing closer, there has been a noticed spike in sales which is very encouraging.

Part from local interest, local organisers and sponsors, such as Tourism Fiji and Air Pacific, has also made the pitch to major tourist source markets, Australia, New Zealand and the United States.

“There are a lot of Kiwis coming to Fiji for the festival as well as Australians which is what we want. Local sales are really picking up with a lot of interest in group bookings and corporate tables - its all looking positive,” he added.

“What I believe is that Denarau needs some world class events to be held, which not only entertain people but attract travelers who are not sure where to go and see an event they like, and will choose to visit Fiji.

That’s what it is about - helping Denarau and Fiji to be competitive by creating activities and events that support tourism,” he added.

The festival includes an impressive line-up of over 100 musicians from around the world who will travel to Fiji, including well-known blues musicians from New Zealand, Australia, England and the United States, not to mention some of Fiji’s finest musicians, the legendary Tom Mawi, Suva jazz band, Deja Vu and Laisa and the FNU Project.

Denarau haven for yachts

Sat, 09 Apr 2011 12:21:07 +1200

This season looks encouraging for Port Denarau Marina in terms of the number of superyachts and other yachts berthing in.

Port Denarau Marina Limited managing director Nigel Skeggs said they hope to see the largest number of visiting yachts this year.

Mr Skeggs said so far two superyachts had arrived in Denarau.

“This winter we are expecting around 25 yachts to visit our shores. I am sure that there will be others as the year progresses,” he said.

“As we are still in the cyclone season, we do not get too many visitors between November and May.”

He said Fiji was a perfect yachting destination with a huge variety of options in terms of the different areas and islands to visit.

“The sun shines and the water is warm. The people are friendly and the culture is rich and varied,” Mr Skeggs said.

“The South East trade winds start blowing as winter nears helping to push the yachts up from New Zealand to warmer climates as winter sets over there Fiji is normally the closest spot.

“Since the construction of our jetty, Port Denarau Marina has seen a dramatic increase in demand for our services through both the summer and the winter seasons.

“This is because of the proximity to provisioning in Nadi and Namaka. The close proximity to the airport and the wonderful atmosphere around the port with shopping, restaurants and bars and even live entertainments, help too.”

He said the port had become a very safe environment to berth and store yachts for short and medium stops.

“We have a lot of inquiries and the following events are organised to bring yachts to Fiji, Marsden Cove.

“(New Zealand) to Denarau Yacht Rally and also the Auckland to Musket Cove Yacht Race, which are both in May and the Cruising Association Rally from Tonga, which is in July,” he said.

Jazz fest starts at Port Denarau

Sun, 13 Mar 2011 12:57:42 +1300

Port Denarau came alive last night with the sound of music.

It was the start of the 2011 Fiji International Jazz and Blues Festival.

Whether you were a natural born dancer, or had two left feet, if you were at the Port area, the encompassing bass beats and guitar riffs would have triggered the inner dancer in you.

Music-lovers flocked to Port Denarau to get a glimpse of or fully savour local and international artists.

Local band DeJavu performed in the ultimate stage experience at the Sheraton Fiji Resort.

Lead singer, Eni Kumar said the band had prepared well.

“We anticipate a good night, every night is supposed to be a good night and we fully look forward to the rest of it,” she said.

The three stages spread across the Port Denarau venue, namely the Fiji Water Stage, Coke family Stage and the Jazz stage, gave the entire area a healthy festive vibe.

Jazzing up the night were performances by artists like Riverhead Slide, Flaming Mudcats, 37PSI, Mahia Blackmore, Tony Painting, Chicane, Shari Puorto, The Desotos, Briar Rose, Robbie MacGregor, and our own local music heavy weights, DejaVu and Laisa Vulakoro, who came in straight after her judging responsibilities on the Vodafone MIC Show.

The festival will end on Sunday.

Big cruise liner visits Denarau

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 12:55:54 +1300

Tourists on board the cruise liner MV Queen Elizabeth got a chance to experience first hand the type of activities offered at Denarau yesterday.

The cruise liner anchored of at Port Denarau in Nadi where its 2000 passengers had time to shop.

The liner left Southampton on January 5 on a 103-night epic maiden world voyage. The cruise liner called into 38 ports in 23 countries.

This was the first time for the ship to visit Fiji.

“We actually love Fiji. The sunshine is great and this is a great way to relax. Our next stop is New Zealand and yes the prices of items here are really cheap.

“I’d love to come here again, this country is just fabulous,” said Brian Williamson, a passenger.

The MV Queen Elizabeth will next dock at Auckland and will then call into ports at Sydney, Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai and Lisbon.

The ship has already visited Panama, Suez Canals and Los Angeles. Fiji was their eighth stop.

“I love the sea, and finding out that the MV Queen Elizabeth was embarking on a long journey, I made up my mind that I was going to be part of that journey.

“I really love Denarau. I think I have spent up to $400 already buying presents for the family back at home. We really love to spend more time in Fiji and I can definitely say that we will be back” he said.

Cruise liner makes Sunday call

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 12:54:48 +1300

Over 2000 tourists were happy to set foot on our shore during their 83 days tour around the world in the P&O Arcadia cruise liner yesterday.

The tourists from England and Australia soaked up the sun when they arrived at Port Denarau Marina in Nadi. The cruise liner which catered for the 2000 tourist and 1000 crew members stopped over in Fiji for a day before continuing its trip to Auckland, New Zealand.

P&O Arcadia crew member Meghna Gurung said the liner normally caters for 2000 tourists and for now most of them were Australians.

Jim and Maggie Tate of Farnham Surrey, England said they were happy to be in Fiji and that it was a beautiful place to visit.

Mrs Tate said they were retired and they thought to take a trip together around the world and the last time they went on a trip together, it only took three weeks.

This trip was the longest they have been on.

She said they loved Fiji and hoped to visit in their next trip because the people were friendly and the weather was good when compared to England which was cold most of the time.

Mr Tate said it was their first trip here and they loved it and they have been also enjoying their trip to other countries in the Pacific.

He said they hoped to spend their day well in Fiji before heading back to their next pit stop which is Auckland, New Zealand.

"Every time we visit a place on our trip we take a picture with our niece's rabbit which we take with us everywhere.

Manager Taxi Denarau Tours Narisia Rasolosolo said business had picked up during the visitors' arrival yesterday morning and that a lot of them hired vehicles to take them to their destination as soon as they arrived.

Port Denarau, the place to be

Mon, 03 Jan 2011 12:53:47 +1300

As the music faded when the clock struckmidnight on Friday, the skies at Denarau Island lit up as the first batch of fireworks exploded into the night-sky and confetti was thrown into the air.

It was goodbye to 2010 and a big hello to 2011.

With an enormous amount of effort, promises were made by a record amount of Denarau properties for a night to remember on Nadi’s famed integrated island resort.

The Fiji Sun West team joined the festivities at several of these properties, noting different ambiences of happiness at different locations. Port Denarau, celebrating New Year, was packed to the rafters.

Flooded by people who were clearly enjoying their last meal of the year, the locals had for the most part, a distinct family-centric feeling, with large and small family units gathered around tables, sharing their memories of the past 12 months.

Restaurants and bars were booked out and, according to their management, there were reservations made for the night from several weeks ago, having to turnover all tables at least three times.

One of the waiters at the Bonefish Restaurant said all their 50 or so tables had been booked throughout the entire week.

It was also a pleasant surprise to note that more locals converged to the island, which has characteristically held the notion of a mostly tourist destination.

In a previous interview, the centre’s general manager, Aysha Koya, said they wanted to break away from the idea that Port Denarau was only for tourists.

At the stroke of midnight, another first for Port Denarau ensued as fireworks were set off from a barge out at sea.

Further down the island, at the Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa, popular local band, Divine was keeping partygoers on their feet with their first-class cover versions of popular songs.

The Sofitel ballroom was a hive of activities in every corner, as some danced into the morning, while others took a break and relaxed with some champagne under the colourful cozy indoor gazebos.

Fireworks were also a highlight of the night as many watched the colourful display from the lobby verandah which overlooked the ocean, and others preferred to stay closer to the action, standing by the beach.

New Year celebration was not new for Sheraton Fiji Resort which, for the past, has been the main centre for ringing in the New Year on the island.

With no exception this year, the ballroom was chock-a-block filled with the younger social butterflies who danced to the music played by a DJ, while drinks were being served from a make-shift bar on the side.

The ambience inside the Sheraton Fiji ballroom had a distinct youthful atmosphere; party hats bobbing up and down and limbs moving to the latest dance move in the land of the young and hip.

Wherever on Denarau we went, the common denominator was joy, enthusiasm, sentimentality at the year gone by and a bursting excitement at the possibilities waiting in the year ahead.

Blood drive in Nadi

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 12:12:30 +1300

A call for another blood drive is once more being made by people at Port Denarau in Nadi.

A blood drive is going to be held at Port Denarau on October 20 from 10am to 6.30pm.

The blood drive will be the second of its kind to be held at Port Denarau.

Port Denarau retail and commercial centre, centre manager Aysha Koya said they had 60 donors in their previous blood drive.

She said 51 qualified to donate blood during the drive.

“We ask the public to come down and take part on the 20th of this month because it will be for a worthy cause,” Miss Koya said.

“There are about 450 staff working here in the marina and this time we are hoping to target the staff.

“This drive is all about giving back to the community which is something we here are all about.

“It will cater for the need for blood in hospitals not only here in Nadi but around Fiji,” Ms Koya said.

“We see there are insufficient blood in the hospital so this is one of the ways we can help.

“We are urging the public to come down on October 20 and donate a pint of blood,” she said.

Port Denarau operations manager Inez Fong Toy said this blood drive is organised by them.

Mrs Fong Toy said this is an awareness programme that will highlight the importance of saving a life and also the need for blood.

South Seas Cruises sales executive Melissa Natawake said they had planned this for over a month.

“It is always good in letting the people know in advance so that they can make time to come down and donate blood,” she said.

There will be giveaways during the blood drive where blood donors get a raffle ticket after they donate.

Prizes are up for grabs and refreshment will be provided during the drive.

The secret beneath

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 12:52:07 +1200

Everyone knows Fiji has fish.

You see them in all the tourist brochures, schools of tiny tropical critters in the most vivid shades of fluorescent yellow, pink and blue, drifting and darting around the coral in impossibly blue water.

But there’s another Fijian marine encounter that will take you far from land, require a certain amount of concentration and finesse, and have you taking on creatures that are considerably bigger and a whole lot stronger than the fish you see in the lagoon below your over-water suite.

Deep-sea fishing is serious business in Fiji with anglers taking on giant marlin, shark, sailfish, barracuda, king mackerel and wahoo during ocean-going expeditions that can last from just a few hours to several days, and there are numerous ways for a holidaymaker to go about dropping a line.

While it’s rarely acceptable to cast from the balcony of your bungalow - the sea around many of the resorts is protected in an effort to encourage breeding and shelter the existing fish population - it isn’t hard to organise a boat to venture out to the open ocean.

A number of Fiji’s resorts offer morning and afternoon excursions. There are boats staffed by experienced crews and with all the necessary equipment available for hire, and a few enthusiasts have introduced all-inclusive “fishing farm stay” programmes.

The Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort & Spa offers bay, trolling and deep-sea fishing excursions to guests.

“Fiji is good for all-year-round deep-sea fishing.

The water is deep and clean and there’s no pollution and over-fishing because we don’t have a large angling population here,” says Shangri-La general manager Michael Monks.

“We don’t offer any fishing from the land, it’s all done on the sea, and the traditional deep-sea catch is marlin - black, blue and striped - varieties of shark, sailfish, barracuda, yellow fin tuna, kingfish, dolphin fish and wahoo.”

Shangri-La guests can charter a whole vessel or buy a seat on a deep-sea excursion that will carry a maximum of six anglers to the ocean trenches where the big fish roam.

“Our boat the Fleet Lady, which is fully equipped with a fighting chair and outriggers, will go out at 6am for four hours, or alternatively late in the afternoon and stay out until just after dark,” Monks says.

“The crew is made up of locals from the village on the other side of the causeway.

These are people who have been fishing these waters all their lives, and they all have secret places they like to fish.”

Vomo Island Resort, occupying a private island in the Mamanuca Group off Viti Levu’s western shore, also organises outings. Says Vomo’s Luisa Koroi: “If it’s simple handline fishing, then our activities team do that themselves, but game fishing is organised through Adrenalin, which is a separate company based at the Denarau Marina.”

Preferred deep-sea fishing spots are along the Coral Coast on the southern edge of Viti Levu Island, around Vatulele and Beqa islands, and near the Mamanuca group.

Pacific Harbour on Viti Levu’s south coast is home to Fiji’s annual game fishing competition held every August, and it’s also the base for many of the charter companies that take anglers out to the deep water.

You don’t need a boat to fish in Fiji - casting, spinning and hand fishing from shallow flats, estuaries, mangrove streams and freshwater rivers are just some of the options - but anglers need to be careful not to drop a line into “taboo” (protected) waters.