Samoa Volcano
In June, scientists got their first look at a new volcano off the coast of Samoa. They had anticipated finding primitive life forms, such as giant worms, clams and shrimp. Instead, the scientists - from Australia, the United States and Britain - found an ecosystem housing thousands of eels which, they believe, are a new type of fish, living on a thick mat of bacteria. The scientists say it's the first time such a complex life-form has been found living in an underwater volcano.
(Pacific Beat)
Sexual Tourism
Japanese businessmen and tour agents have criticized the prevalence of explicit sexual content in two U-S Pacific territories. Visiting tour operators from Japan commented that Guam resembled a "third world Asian country" because of the proliferation of strip-clubs and massage parlors in the main tourism district. Guam's neighbors in the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas have also received complaints from Japanese tourists about the glaring problem of prostitution on Saipan. Tourism is a main income earner for both territories, with the bulk of visitors coming from Japan.
(Pacific Beat)
Rosie Kicks off $40m Resort(Fiji)
A local inbound operator has began construction of the country's first over-water bungalow resort valued at $40million. Located in the Mamanuca Group, the $40million Likuliku Lagoon Resort is expected to attract a new generation of tourists.
Rosie Group of Companies managing director Tony Whitton said they decided to go ahead with the project to attract the huge market that they were losing to countries like Tahiti and the Maldives. The first phase of the project - at $24million - will have 10 over-water bungalows perched on the lagoon. Guests will be provided with undisturbed views of the rich marine life from the privacy of their rooms through a glass floor. The bungalows will be connected to the beach through a wooden walkway. Mr. Whitton said the resort, about 25 kilometers from Nadi Town, would ultimately establish Fiji at the forefront of international tourism. Mr. Whitton said the new standard set for Fiji tourism came at a time when the tourism sector was experiencing sustained growth. "The resort is being designed by the award-winning Suva-based architectural firm, Architects Pacific, with a modern interpretation of Melanesian forms and Fijian architecture," he said.
"The resort will feature a giant over-water arrival bure, a central complex modeled on a traditional Fijian canoe house, three separate a-la-carte dining outlets including an over-water restaurant, fine dining restaurant and cellar," said Mr. Whitton. He said the project would not have been made possible if the traditional landowners, the people of Yaro, had not supported it. Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase said the Government expected a boom of more than 700,000 visitors by 2010. (Source: Fiji Times 31/05/2005)
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