More yachts are expected in Savusavu this week through the Blue Lane Initiative.

Six yachts that arrived from Opua in New Zealand were expected to complete their quarantine period yesterday.

Four more yachts are expected in Savusavu during the week.

The six are anchored near Nawi Island.

John and wife Lyn Martin of the sailing vessel Windflower are the owners of Island Cruising, a New Zealand charter service that led the six yachts to Savusavu from Opua.

The Martins established Island Cruising in 2007,and have organised trips to Fiji every year since.

“We first came to Fiji in 1995, and fell in love with the place,” he said.

Bula Rendezvous
Island Cruising sells a package deal called the Bula Rendezvous, which consists of a group of overseas boats that sail around Fiji, under the guidance of Island Cruising.

Mr Martin said an annual average of 40 yachts travelled to Fiji to take advantage of the package deal.

He hailed the Fijian Government for starting the Blue Lane initiative.

From Opua
On June 1, 2021, the six vessels, which included Windflower, left Opua.

“We love Fiji and have grown to love Savusavu,” Mr Martin said.

“The plan is to hope that things get better, and we are allowed to sail around Fiji.”

“Even so, we would rather be here than anywhere else.”

“This is the best option to sail to in the Pacific.”

“Each vessel spends up to NZ $65,000 (FJ $94,000) a trip.”

“The best thing about it is the money gets to the grassroot level.”

The rendezvous fleet plans to leave Fiji in October.

Savusavu
Thirty yachts have arrived in Savusavu this year, under the Government’s Blue Lane initiative, said Copra Shed Marina co-owner Geoff Taylor.

“Thankfully, the sailors are spending and making the most of their time here,” Mr Taylor said.

Tony Philp, Copra Shed Marina coowner who is in Suva, said the initiative brought good news for Savusavu.

“This is great for our business and the local economy, considering wehad nothing last year,” he said.

The Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport said 80 yachts were approved through the Blue Lane initiative.

Two of the 80 vessels are super yachts.

The Tourism ministry has recorded the arrival of 332 passengers through the Blue Lane initiative.

Read More: 

• Savusavu Blue Lane Attracting Sailors: Taylor (fijisun.com.fj)
• Over 100 Yachts Approved Through Fiji’s Blue Lanes, ‘Hidden Paradise’ Opens As Yacht Port (fijisun.com.fj)
• Tourism Fiji Hands Over Blue Lane Approved Burgee Flags (fijisun.com.fj)
• Fiji’s COVID-contained Efforts Evident In Blue Lane Initiative (fijisun.com.fj)
• First Blue Lane Initiative Visitors In (fijisun.com.fj)

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