Agents Embrace ‘Real Pacific’ On Roadshow

The roadshows generated more than 340 RSVPs from Australasian travel agents and trade partners.

Staged in Auckland, Sydney and Brisbane, the “Discover the Best of Melanesia/Polynesia” events brought together frontline consultants, wholesalers and key industry partners.

Attendees enjoyed destination updates, cultural entertainment and flight giveaways from Fiji Airways, Solomon Airlines and Qantas.

“We were at or near capacity in every city and one message came through loud and clear – agents are desperate for alternatives,” said Richard Skewes, who represents both Tonga and the Solomon Islands in Australasia.

“Their clients have done the big-name islands. Now they’re asking for something real, unscripted and uncrowded – and that’s exactly what the Solomons and Tonga offer.”

Positioned as “the best of Melanesia and Polynesia”, the collaboration highlighted:

# Authentic culture – from village visits and kastom experiences in the Solomons to Tonga’s living monarchy, blowholes and ancient sites.

# Soft adventure and nature – world-class diving, WWII history, volcanoes, hiking and whale encounters far from the crowds.

# Value and bragging rights – destinations that may not be about five-star resorts but deliver “six-star bragging rights” travel stories that agents can’t get anywhere else in the Pacific.

“The response across all three events proves there is real commercial appetite in Australia for emerging Pacific destinations,” Skewes added.

“For agents, the Solomons and Tonga are a chance to refresh their South Pacific portfolio and stand out with something different – while still offering easy access, good value and a warm island welcome.”