NADI, Fiji -- A new travel company here called PacificNavigator
started selling packages to South Pacific islands strictly on the
Internet.
The company, a partnership between inbound operator Rosi Tours
and a local Fiji businessman, Ian Collingwood, sells complete
packages and separate components to Fiji, Cook Islands, Niue,
Vanuatu, Tonga and Tahiti.
Bookings are made by e-mail, and travel agents receive net rates
that translate into 10% to 15% commissions, according to
Collingwood.
The company plans to add New Caledonia, Samoa and American Samoa
sometime in the near future, as well as other destinations. The
company sells cheap vacations to a clientele who like to stay in
out-of-the-way places.
"We are seeing strong interest from ecotourists who want an
outer-island experience," said Collingwood. "These are people who
are looking for something off the beaten track, but we are still
getting people who want the three- and four-star packages."
For example, a three-night land-only package in the Cook Islands
on Mangaia Island costs $240 per person and includes
accommodations, all meals, transfers, two tours and roundtrip air
from Rarotonga.
A learn-to-dive package in Nadi, with five nights'
accommodations at Rosie's Serviced Apartments, four pool dives,
five open-water dives and instruction and equipment costs $335.
The firm primarily works with Air Pacific with flights from Los
Angeles and Honolulu, but it can arrange air from anywhere, said
Collingwood.
Other carriers with which it has close ties are Qantas, Air New
Zealand, American and United. Collingwood said his customers are
experienced travelers who don't need a lot of hand-holding.
"We don't profess to be high maintenance, but it seems to be
working," said Collingwood. "We've got local staff who've got their
ears to the ground, and they can tell you better than anyone what
is going on outside the hotels."
On the Web site, each destination has sales sections for
accommodations, air, tours, transportation and special deals.
People who are not interested in buying anything from the Web
site can use it as a source of information.
The site has a message board where travelers can post questions
to other travelers about destinations they are interested in
visiting and read questions and answers from other travelers'
queries.
And for each destination there is extensive travel information,
covering areas such as history, culture, places of interest,
dining, night clubs, sports, events, currency, weather, and
embassies and consulates.
PacificNavigator
Phone: (011) 67 972-5504
Fax: (011) 67 972-2607
E-mail: sales@pacificnaviga tor.com
Web: www.pacificnavigator.com