SOLOMON AIRLINES LAUNCHES HONIARA-SYDNEY SERVICE

www.hovedsteder.blogg.no is a Norway-based blog about the capitals of the world, with a focus on tourism, travel, transport, the environment, diplomatic affairs, lifestyle, culture and entertainment, food and drink. Contact us at [email protected] 

Even a rainbow came out to welcome Solomon Airlines to Sydney on 1 June. The carrier started weekly services from Honiara, using its only A320. Photo credit: www.anna.aero

Solomon Airlines launched its latest route on 1 June, with new weekly service from the Solomon Islands capital Honiara to Sydney, the www.anna.aero. website reports. 

The 2,871-kilometre sector will be flown each Tuesday, using the airline?s only A320. Commenting on the route launch, Sydney Airport MD and CEO, Kerrie Mather, said:

“Sydney Airport is proud to welcome Solomon Airlines new service to Honiara, which is great news for Australian business and leisure travellers. It is providing more choice for passengers, as this new route expands Sydney’s network of international destinations from 44 to 45”.

The route faces no direct competition and complements the airline’s other Australian service to Brisbane.

#Australia #Brisbane #By #Ferie #Fly #Flyplass #Honiara #Hovedstad #NewSouthWales #Queensland #Reise #Salomonøyene #Sydney

#Aircraft #Airline #Airport #Capital #City #Holiday #SolomonIslands #Travel

HANGA ROA – BESKJEDEN HOVEDSTAD PÅ MYTISK ØY

www.hovedsteder.blogg.no is a Norway-based blog about the capitals of the world, with a focus on tourism, travel, transport, the environment, diplomatic affairs, lifestyle, culture and entertainment, food and drink. Contact us at [email protected] 

Hanga Roa, hovedstaden på Påskeøya, har svært mange av de berømte og mystiske statuene – moai – men det finnes langt flere og langt større ellers på øya, som her ved Rano Raraku, et utdødd vulkankrater. Det var ved kratersjøen her at de fleste statuene ble hugd ut. Området er en del av Rapa Nui nasjonalpark.

Om Hanga Roa kanskje ikke er den aller mest kjente hovedstaden i verden, så er i alle fall territoriet den er hovedstad i, Påskeøya, blant verdens mest kjente destinasjoner, og står på FN-organisasjonen UNESCOs prestisjetunge Verdensarvliste – World Heritage List.

Få øyer er det vel skrevet så mange bøker og artikler om, som nettopp denne chilenske øya i Stillehavet, langt vestover fra det sør-amerikanske fastlandet. Myteomspunnet, særpreget, mystisk – med sine rundt 890 hodestatuer (moai), en fascinerende historie, delvis  skjult i mysteriens slør. Vår egen Thor Heyerdahl gjorde sitt store bidrag til å oppklare noen av dem med sine ekspedisjoner til øya.

Påskeøya, eller Rapa Nui som den heter på det lokale rapa nui-språket, ligger 3512 kilometer fra Chiles kyst, flyturen fra Santiago tar fem og en halv time. Nærmeste bebodde øy er Pitcairn – Bounty-mytteristenes øy, som ligger 2075 kilometer vestover.

Hanga Roa ligger sørøst på øya, nær sørspissen, i lavlandet mellom de to utdødde vulkanene Rano Kau og Terevaka. Rundt 3500 av øyas 5800 innbyggere bor i hovedstaden, som er sete for den chilenske guvernøren – Påskeøya er en egen provins  lokalregjeringen, bystyre og ordfører.

Mye av byens aktiviteter og tilbud finnes langs hovedgaten Avenida Atamu Tekena. Her finner man flere hoteller, gjestehus og andre overnattingssteder, restauranter og kafeer, og ulike typer forretninger.

 Byen har rundt 600 gjestesenger – fra herberger til luksushoteller.

Gaten het tidligere Avenida Policarpo Toro, oppkalt etter den chilenske marineoffiseren som annekterte Påskeøya for Chile i 1888. Avenyen endre navn i 1998, da den ble oppkalt etter den lokale folkehelten Atamu Te Kena, som levde på 1800-tallet.

Hanga Roa betyr for øvrig “vid bukt” på rapa nui-språket.

Havna i Hanga Roa, Påskeøya. Foto: wikipedia.org

I bysentrum finnes også en romersk-katolsk kirke, øyas nasjonalmuseum, internettkafeer, og minibanker. Øya, og hovedstaden har også en egen stadion, Estadio de Hanga Roa, som brukes til ulike idretter og aktiviteter, og er hjemmebanen til Påskeøyas eget fotballag.

Påskeøya. Foto: chiletraveltours.com

Hanga Roa. Foto: flickr.com

Turisme er øyas viktigste næringsvei, men mange jobber også innen fiskeri, landbruk og i det offentlige. Den chilenske staten er tilstede på øya med flere offentlige kontor, og landets marine er også på plass på Påskeøya.

Påskeøyas flyplass er Mataveri International Airport, som betjenes av LAN, Chiles nasjonale flyselskap – med direkteruter til Santiago, Lima i Peru, og Papeete på Tahiti i Fransk Polynesia.

Fra Hanga Roa er det også båtforbindelse til Valparaiso i Chile.

Hovedstaden Hanga Roa ligger på sørvestkysten, ned mot sørspissen av øya, som er 163,6 km2 stor.

#Bounty #By #Chile #Ferie #Fiskeri #Flyplass #Flyselskap #FN #Fotball #FranskPolynesia #Guvernør #HangaRoa #Hovedstad #Internett #Landbruk #Lima #Marine #Museum #Ordfører #Papeete #Peru #Pitcairn #Påskeøya #RapaNui #Reise #Santiago #Statue #Stillehavet #Tahiti #UNESCO #Valparaiso #Verdensarvliste #Vulkan #WorldHeritageList

LAND GIVE-AWAY ATTRACTS RESIDENTS TO PITCAIRN ISLAND

www.hovedsteder.blogg.no is a Norway-based blog about the capitals of the world, with a focus on tourism, travel, transport, the environment, diplomatic affairs, lifestyle, culture and entertainment, food and drink. Contact us at [email protected] 

Adamstown, capital of Pitcairn Islands. Photo: www.pitcairn.pn

A tiny island set in the South Pacific is so keen to grow its population that land is being given away to those wishing to build a permanent home there, www.propertyshowrooms.com reports.

The Pitcairn Islands group is a British Overseas Territory comprised of Henderson, Ducie, Oeno and the only inhabited island of Pitcairn.

The island is roughly 2170 km from Tahiti and 6600 km from Panama with its administrative headquarters located 3300km away in Auckland, New Zealand.

The population of Pitcairn Island has gradually reduced from a peak level of over 200 people in the 1930s to the current count of 49 permanent residents, leading the government to seek a solution.

Photo: www.visitpitcairn.pn

In 2014, the government implemented the Pitcairn Islands Repopulation Plan setting out to ‘attract and retain migrants to Pitcairn and address a number of key areas including housing, education and health to ensure the Plan is successful’.

The rugged, natural beauty of Pitcairn Island provides a comfortable albeit secluded lifestyle to its residents. There’s a store, warehouse, library and health centre open three days of the week, a reliable electricity supply, high-speed internet and free education available for school-age children.

People wishing to make a life on Pitcairn Island would have to be largely self-sufficient and probably self-employed as there are few jobs on offer.

However, the government are prepared to entice interested parties with the offer of a free land allocation for new permanent residents to build their homes.

To find out how to apply for a live on Pitcairn Island please visit http://www.government.pn/Repopulation%20Plan.pdf

Bounty Bay, landing place and only point of entry, and sole anchorage, at Pitcairn. HMS Bounty was burned and sunk here on 23 January 1790 by Fletcher Christian and his fellow mutineers. The wreck, discovered in 1957, is still visible underwater. Todays inhabitants at Pitcairn are the descendants of Fletcher Christian and other mutineers.

The 1962 film Mutiny on the Bounty, starred Marlon Brando as Fletcher Christian, With Trevor Howard and Richard Harris in other main roles.

HMS Bounty arrives in Tahiti 1788. Painting by John Clayton (1728-1800)

Fletcher Christian and the mutineers turn Lieutenant William Bligh and 18 others adrift; 1790 painting by Robert Dodd (1748-1815)


– 

Tourism plays a major role on Pitcairn, providing locals with 80% of their annual income. Occasionally, passengers from expedition-type cruise ships will go ashore for a few days, staying with local families and experiencing the island’s history while contributing to the local economy.

Each year around ten cruise ships stop at the island for a few hours, generating income for the locals from the sale of souvenirs, landing fees and the stamping of passports.

Providing accommodation for tourists is a growing source of revenue on Pitcairn and some families have invested in private, self-contained units adjacent to their homes for tourists to rent.

The government are actively promoting tourism on the Island and have secured EU funding to assist in the development of its infrastructure to support growth in the sector.

It’s an interesting although slightly unusual opportunity but ultimately, one that promises to transform lifestyles, offering true integration into the tight-knit community of the world’s least populated islands.

Pitcairn Islands flag

Source: www.propertyshowroom.com

See more at www.visitpitcairn.pn and www.pitcairn.pn

All the inhabitants of Pitcairn resides in the capital, Adamstown.

#Adamstown #Auckland #Bounty #By #Cruise #Ferie #Film #Flagg #Frimerke #Hovedstad #NewZealand #Oseania #Panama #Pass #Pitcairn #Reise #Skip #Skuespiller #Stillehavet #Suvenir #Tahiti

#Actor #Capital #City #Holiday #Pacific #Passport #Ship #Souvenir #Stamps #Travel

TONGA PM APPEALS FOR NUKU’ALOFA CLEAN UP

www.hovedsteder.blogg.no is a Norway-based blog about the capitals of the world, with a focus on tourism, travel, transport, the environment, politics, diplomatic affairs, lifestyle, culture and entertainment, food and drink.

Nuku’alofa. Photo: www.tonganz.net

The prime minister of Tonga, ‘Akilisi Pohiva has appealed to the public to help clean up Nuku’alofa for the coronation of the king in July, according to Radio New Zealand International – www.radionz.co.nz

Radio Tonga reports ‘Akilisi Pohiva as saying several dignitaries and guests from royal families around the world will attend the occasion, and it’s important they have a good impression.

He says some of the areas that need special attention include the Royal Palace, Nuku’alofa central business district, the centenary church Saione, neglected homes and cemeteries.

He says a lack of funding for the occasion means everyone has to work together.

Meanwhile, maintenance to many roads in the central business district has begun.

#By #Ferie #Hovedstad #Konge #NukuAlofa #Oseania #Palass #Reise #Slott #Statsminister #Stillehavet #Tonga

#Capital #Castle #City #Holiday #King #Oceania #Palace #PrimeMinister #Travel

 

TUVALU RISING SAYS NEW REPORT

www.hovedsteder.blogg.no is a Norway-based blog about the capitals of the world, with a focus on tourism, travel, transport, the environment, politics, diplomatic affairs, lifestyle, culture and entertainment, food and drink.

A Tuvalu beach being eroded by a storm (radionz.co.nz)

It found that while Funafuti experienced some of the highest rates of sea level rise totalling about 300mm over the past 60 years there has been a 7.3 percent increase in net island area over the past Century, Radio New Zealand International reported.

That means some islands in the atoll lost land area while others gained.

Five Australia and New Zealand-based scientists, who carried out the study, say the Tuvalu data showed islands can persist on reefs even if the sea level rise is five millimetres a year.

But they say with sea levels projected to be double the current rate it is unclear whether islands will be able to survive.

Kilde / Source: www.radionz.co.nz

#Australia #By #Ferie #Funafuti #Hovedstad #Klima #Miljø #NewZealand #Oseania #Radio #Reise #Stillehavet

#Capital #City #Climate #Environment #Holiday #Oceania #Pacific #Travel 

VANUATU: JAPAN TO BUILD PORT VILA PORT TERMINAL

www.hovedsteder.blogg.no is a Norway-based blog about the capitals of the world, with a focus on tourism, travel, transport, the environment, politics, diplomatic affairs, lifestyle, culture and entertainment, food and drink.

Port Vila

A contract has been signed to build Vanuatu’s first multi-purpose port terminal in the capital, Port Vila, according to Radio New Zealand International.

Vanuatu’s Minister of Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Esmon Sae, signed the agreement with Japanese construction company TOA Corporation.

Once completed, the new wharf is going to provide for all international cargo vessels to be handled away from the main wharf and where cruise liners anchor.

Mr Sae says the Japanese company is expected to complete the Lapetasi Wharf Project within a two-year time frame and a budget of $US 46.7 million.

TOA Corporation representative Nakamura San says this is their second project in Vanuatu, they completed Lenakel Wharf in Tanna several years ago.

He says TOA Corporation won the bid for the project out of 16 international bidders.

The project is funded by Japan through the Japan International Corporation Agency.

Kilde / Source: www.radionz.co.nz

#By #Cruise #Ferie #Havn #Hovedstad #Japan #Minister #Oseania #PortVila #Radio #Reise #Vanuatu

#Capital #City #Holiday #Oceania #Port #Travel

KIRIBATI SOLAR SYSTEM FEEDING INTO GRID

www.hovedsteder.blogg.no is a Norway-based blog about the capitals of the world, with a focus on tourism, travel, transport, the environment, politics, diplomatic affairs, lifestyle, culture and entertainment, food and drink.

Se også vår reiseblogg / see also our travel blog at www.minbestereise.blogg.no – contact us a [email protected]

South Tarawa, capital of Kiribati

The Republic of Kiribati has installed a solar power system that will feed into the South Tarawa electricity grid in Bikenibeu, the Radio New Zealand International – www.radionz.co.nz website writes.

Supported by the Pacific Environment Community Fund, the installation is the first time a solar link has been made to the Kiribati power grid.

The system will account for nearly four percent of the electricity needs of the Kiribati Public Utilities Board.

It is expected to save in diesel oil costs of about a quarter of a million US dollars and make a substantial cut in green house gas emissions each year.

#By #Elektrisitet #Ferie #Hovedstad #Kiribati #Miljø #NewZealand #Oseania #Reise #Sol #Stillehavet #Tarawa

#Capital #City #Environment #Holiday #Pacific #Power #Travel

GUAM’S TOURISM PLAN RAISES CONCERNS

www.hovedsteder.blogg.no is a blog about the capitals of the world, with a focus on tourism, travel, transport, politics, diplomatic affairs, lifestyle, culture and entertainment, food and drink.

Se også vår reiseblogg / see also our travel blog at www.minbestereise.blogg.no – contact us a [email protected]

Hagatna, Guam

Is the Guam Visitors Bureau’s goal to raise tourist arrivals from 1.3 million to 2 million in a year, starting in 2020, too many, and too soon?

The question was raised at the island sustainability conference hosted by the University of Guam last week, and a local businessman hopes to get the community discussions on the topic to continue, the Pacific Daily News reported.

Sonny Ada, former Guam Visitors Bureau chairman and president of Ada’s Trust, is advocating for the continued discussion on the topic because he said it impacts the quality of life of Guam residents.

With GVB’s goal, Guam’s tourist volume would increase by about 50 percent in just five years, Ada said. If each additional visitor uses just one disposable cup, that means an additional 700,000 cups ending up in the landfill in a year, he said.

Ada said raising the question isn’t meant to be critical of the plan; it’s aimed to help stir discussions about whether there’s a better way to grow the economy without the massive volume of tourists being aimed for.

UOG President Robert Underwood said he hopes the discussions at the 6th Regional Island Sustainability Conference at the Hyatt Regency Guam on April 15 have provoked conversations.

The goal for 2 million tourists a year is stated in the Guam Visitors Bureau’s Tourism 2020 plan.

That goal isn’t new; the island tourism industry had aspired for that number in the ’90s, Underwood said.

The discussion on visitor arrivals should include how the island will be challenged with the additional strain to its limited resources, Underwood said.

“I am not opposed to growth, or to economic development, but is there a way to pursue economic development where you have a different calculation?” Underwood asked.

Instead of aiming for 2 million tourists, who might spend $100 a day in the local economy, the goal could shift to aiming for fewer, but higher-spending tourists, he said. One million tourists who spend $300 a day in the local economy bring better results to the host community, because there’s lesser strain on the island’s resources, he said.

Underwood mentioned Palau as an example.

Palau has calculated the value of protecting a shark at around $1 million in tourism dollars because tourists from all over the world visit the island republic for its ecosystem, Underwood said.

The island republic has also realized that killing a shark results in a short-term gain of about $10,000, he said.

UOG and Ada’s Trust joined efforts in holding a video and essay contest among UOG students to foster the public discussion.

The winners of the video essay contest are Marcel Jardeleza, first place, who received a $1,000 prize; and Francis Valencia, second place, who won a $500 prize.

The winners of the written essay contest are Huy Tran, first place, who received $500; and Aguarin Iriarte, second place, who received $250.

Underwood said the question being asked seems critical of GVB’s goal, but many of the essays came up with the conclusion that 2 million tourist arrivals might be doable.

So the answer to the question is not clear-cut, Underwood said.

Ada said he hopes the contest will be expanded next year to include high school students.

He said it’s important for the community to discuss the issue because elected officials can’t just go along with the tourism businesses without weighing the pros and cons to the host community.

Tourism is like any other business — it’s about supply and demand, Ada said.

After Guam’s hotels went through years of tourism slowdown, they’re currently in a “sweet spot” with higher hotel rates and more tourists to fill their rooms, Ada said.

If Guam is flooded with additional hotel rooms, and another international crisis causes the island’s tourism industry to slump, hotel properties and the people who work there will go through another tough economic time, Ada said.

___

Information from: Pacific Daily News: www.guampdn.com

 

GROUP 70 INTL.PRESENTS INVESTOR TEAM TO FRENCH POLYNESIA GOVERNMENT FOR TAHITI MAHANA BEACH RESORT AND SPA

www.hovedsteder.blogg.no is a blog about the capitals of the world, with a focus on tourism, travel, transport, the environment, diplomatic affairs, lifestyle, culture and entertainment, food and drink.

Se også vår reiseblogg / see also our travel blog at www.minbestereise.blogg.no – contact us a [email protected]

The 130-acre Tahiti Mahana Beach Resort and Spa in Papeete is anticipated to be one of the largest resorts in the Pacific. Its design pays homage to the unique characteristics of French Polynesian culture, while offering guests an unparalleled tropical retreat with sustainable design elements throughout. The waterfront project includes five international class hotels, a timeshare, condominiums, a marina, a retail mall, an aquatic park, a casino, a convention center, theaters and luxury

Business Wire – Press Release – Hawaii’s largest locally owned design firm Group 70 International, Inc. (G70) has submitted its team of world-class investors from the U.S., Tahiti, China, France and Mexico to the French Polynesian government for the new 130-acre Tahiti Mahana Beach Resort and Spa.

Since winning the bid in July 2014, G70 has worked diligently to secure investors who have committed to providing more than $3 billion for this innovative project anticipated to be one of the largest resorts in the Pacific.

“Group 70’s intention is to enhance local ownership to the maximum extent possible, while teaming with top international expertise, financing and resources,” said Group 70 Chairman Francis Oda.

“All members of this power group of international investors are fully committed to the success of this project and look forward to working with local stakeholders to offer the world a unique tourist destination that highlights the values and traditions of the Polynesian culture.”

G70, Hawaii’s leading design firm, was selected by jury as the architect, interior designer and civil engineer on record. CBRE Group, the world’s largest commercial real estate services firm serving owners, investors and occupiers, will provide financial and project management services.

#Beach #By #Casino #Design #Ferie #Frankrike #Fransk #FranskPolynesia #Hawaii #Hotell #Hovedstad #Kina #Marina #Mexico #Oseania #Papeete #Polynesia #Reise #Resort #Spa #Stillehavet #Strand #Tahiti #USA

Tahiti Tourisme: www.gototahiti.com
www.tahiti-tourisme.com
www.tahiti-tourisme.pf
www.tahiti-tourisme.fr

City of Papeete: www.ville-papeete.pf

#Capital #China #City #France #FrenchPolynesia #Holiday #Hotel #Oceania #Pacific #Travel 

SOLOMON AIRLINES TO COMMENCE HONIARA-SYDNEY ROUTE WITH SPECIAL OFFER

www.hovedsteder.blogg.no is a blog about the capitals of the world, with a focus on tourism, travel, transport, politics, diplomatic affairs, lifestyle, culture and entertainment, food and drink.

Se også vår reiseblogg / see also our travel blog at www.minbestereise.blogg.no – contact us a [email protected]

Solomon Airlines is offering a special SBD3, 703 Honiara-Sydney return airfare inclusive of taxes as part of kicking off service to this new route, the Solomon Star newspaper reported.

In statement the airline said that new Honiara “Sydney airfare is  available for sale until first of June 1  the special fare is valid for travel until 11 August  on the airline’s new Honiara-Sydney service which commences June 1”.

The flight will operate ex-Honiara on Mondays and ex-Sydney on Tuesdays.

The tariff includes in-flight meals and entertainment plus a generous 30 kilo baggage allowance.

The statement said the carrier will utilise its flagship Airbus A320 on the new route which has been specifically timed to offer seamless flight linkage between several Australian cities and also international connections to and from New Zealand, the US, Asia, the Middle East, the UK and Europe.

The statement added, the new service is seen as offering a  major potential for the Solomon Islands business, leisure and VFR markets.

The Honiara-Sydney schedule will take the airline’s Solomon Islands-Australian services to five weekly with the inclusion of its four Honiara-Brisbane services which operate on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday.

Kilde/ Source: www.solomonstarnews.com

Solomon Airlines: www.flysolomons.com

Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau; www.visitsolomons.com.sb

#Airbus #Australia #Brisbane #By #Ferie #Fly #Flyselskap #Honiara #Hovedstad #NewZealand #Oseania #Reise #Salomonøyene #Sydney

#Aircraft #Airline #Capital #City #Oceania #SolomonIslands #Travel