The forum will bring together cruise line executives with the region’s tourism ministers, national tourism offices, ports, airlines, excursion providers and other stakeholders.
The conference, which will be conducted in English, will highlight ports in what locals call the ‘maritime continent,’ a large triangle connecting Fiji, New Zealand and Tahiti and aims to help cruise operators develop new and exciting itineraries.
The South Pacific Cruise Alliance which was formed five years ago and is staging the forum in association with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation, exhibits at Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami and joined CLIA Australasia in April last year.
Its members are American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, New Caledonia, Pitcairn, Samoa, Tahiti islands and the Kingdom of Tonga.
SPCA president, Capt. Ollivier Amaru, who is also chairman of the Tahiti Cruise Club which coordinates cruise shipping in French Polynesia, said membership of CLIA will help travel agents in Australia and New Zealand recognise the region’s tremendous cruising opportunities.
Capt. Amaru said the South Pacific is ideally placed in the heart of the Pacific Ocean, just two hours from Australia, six from Hawaii, eight from Los Angeles and 10 from China and Japan. It is served by direct flights from the most important source markets.
Speakers taking part in the forum will be announced shortly.
