Exploring Fiji and what our tourism sector has to offer Chinese visitors is what a group of Chinese media personnel will be looking at in much detail over the next eight days.

The group arrived yesterday with the aim of promoting our booming tourism sector in China. Amongst them, is a National Geographic photographer, Li Ye.

During their eight-day tour of the islands, they will be visiting place like Namale Resort, Taveuni, Savusavu, the Yasawa Islands and Suva City before making their to the Coral Coast and back to the West.

Travel documentaries, photography, videography and even a mobile phone-based application, the first of its kind, will all be done and made by the Chinese media team to further boost the influx of tourists coming in from mainland China.

Mr Li, said: “I have been to Fiji many times, my boss grew up here and it’s a pleasure to be back again.

“The first time I came here was in 2008 and we are the first in China to be publishing a guidebook and making a TV programme based on Fiji.

“The Chinese economy has boomed over the past 10 years and there is an influx of Chinese tourists into Fiji which is why we’re here to prepare documentaries and guidebooks for them.”

Good news

Nadi based in-bound tour operator, Tour Managers, is facilitating the visit.

Director, Damend Gounder, said the team’s visit brings nothing but good for the people of Fiji.

“It’s a good time for us to do this and [their visit] contributes a lot to the tourism management industry especially after the devastation of Cyclone Winston.

“These are high-profile people and to be able to show them everything is a big plus for us.

“They will also be launching apps based on Fiji which will be a first of its kind.  Li mentioned that there is a change in the types of travelers coming into Fiji from China and he couldn’t be more accurate.”

Mr Gounder agreed the Chinese economy has boomed over the past 10 years and Fiji in that time has become a luxury destination for the Chinese people.

“Whereas before, it used to be the Maldives and South-East Asian countries such as Malaysia,” he said.

“Fiji has been heavily promoted in the past years and we are glad to be accommodating a group of people who will help boost our economy”.

Fiji Travel Guide

At the same time, the fourth edition of the ‘Fiji Travel Guide’ compiled and authored by award-winning travel writer, Peter Liu Yang, is set to be released on July 25 in Nadi.

This will be based on the experiences of the media team. Since 2012, Mr Peter has been working tirelessly to promote Fiji in China.

Edited by: RACHNA LAL

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