Stay for one night, get a second night free

Dusit Hotels and Resorts has adopted a version of "Buy One Get One Free" for direct hotel bookings.

The Thai-based hotel group is inviting travellers to extend their stays with the launch of ‘A Night on Us’, a limited-time offer featuring complimentary nights on eligible stays of two to eight nights.

Available for just six days, until April 27, exclusively on dusit.com, the offer covers a selection of Dusit properties in Guam, Malaysia, the Maldives, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.

The offer covers island escapes such as Dusit Thani Maldives (above) and Dusit Thani Lubi Plantation Resort in the Philippines, to beachfront retreats including Dusit Thani Hua Hin, Dusit Thani Pattaya, and Dusit Thani Guam Resort.

City stays include Dusit Princess Melaka, Dusit Thani Laguna Singapore, Dusit Princess Chiang Mai, and Dusit Thani Manila.

Guests can enjoy up to four complimentary nights when booking stays of up to eight nights, for stays from now until December 20.

The deal is: Pay for 1 night, stay for 2; Pay for 2, stay for 4; Pay for 3, stay for 6 or Pay for 4, stay for 8.

Dusit Gold membership is complimentary and can be activated at dusit.com/signup, unlocking benefits including preferential room rates and dining offers.

Sprite takes on a new energy and adds new flavours

What's old is new again with the launch of a new campaign behind soft drink Sprite.

Rolling out across diverse markets in ASEAN and the South Pacific, Sprite’s new global image aims to combine a new look, a brand sound, and cultural partnerships rooted across spicy food, basketball, music.

The new marketing plan for the top 20 selling lemon-lime soda showcases everyday street culture and aims to be down to earth.

"Sprite is more than just a drink - it's part of how people experience refreshment in the heat, through food, sport, and shared moments," said Mark Dee, Category Marketing Sr. Director of Sparkling Flavors for Coca-Cola ASEAN & South Pacific (wow!).

"It's That Fresh celebrates authenticity, originality, and the bold spirit of the region's youth, bringing global brand strength together with local culture in a way that feels real and relevant."

Which means nothing at all, but is impressive marketing speak. 

From bustling sari-sari stores in the Philippines to warungs in Indonesia, late-night mamak stalls in Malaysia and supermarket fridges in Australia and New Zealand, Sprite is being positioned as being perfect for pairing with spicy food. 

Sprite is leaning into its 'Hurts Real Good with Sprite' platform in the region - celebrating the joy of bold, spicy flavours paired with the chilled soft drink. 

Sprite is being billed as complementing some of the region's most loved dishes, from tom yum and laksa to satay and other street-food favourites "delivering crisp lemon-lime refreshment that cuts through the heat".

Sprite will also be adding flavours with Sprite Chill Lemon Mint being launched across selected markets, while Sprite + Tea is inspired by "the viral social trend" of consumers steeping tea bags in Sprite. Missed that one. 

See Sprite.com.

Direct flights to open from Sydney to French Polynesia

It is about to get a lot easier for Australians to fly to French Polynesia. 

Air Tahiti Nui this week announced an expansion of its international network with the launch of a new direct route between Papeete and Sydney. 

The new service is part of the airline’s strategy to strengthen long-term connectivity between French Polynesia and the major regional hubs of the South Pacific. Air Tahiti Nui previously used to serve Sydney until 2009.

The route is scheduled to launch on Monday, December 14. Air Tahiti Nui will operate two flights per week, providing travellers with a direct, regular and nonstop option between Tahiti and Australia. 

The new connection will significantly reduce travel time and simplify journeys between the two regions, travel news hub Travel Mole reports. 

French-accented Tahiti and its Islands have a growing appeal for Australian travellers with 8,165 Australian visitors in 2025. 

“We are very pleased to announce this new direct route between Papeete and Sydney," Lionel Guérin, CEO of Air Tahiti Nui, said. 

"With two direct flights per week and thanks to the code-share agreement with Qantas, this service will provide Australian travellers with greater comfort and more frequency options, especially when combined with our twice-weekly service to Auckland in New Zealand.”

Ticket sales are expected to open later this month. 

Another airline bites the dust

Heading to Vanuatu over the next few days?

Hold your horses.

Air Vanuatu has cancelled all flights to and from Australia and New Zealand and reportedly gone into administration.

Hundreds of passengers have been left stranded across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific

Last month, a former Minister of Infrastructure and Public Utilities reported that Air Vanuatu was facing a serious situation of bankruptcy.

Brisbane Airport said it was aware that Air Vanuatu would not operate flights on Thursday and Friday, and advised passengers scheduled to fly with the airline not to travel to the airport.

The Vanuatu Tourism Office later said it was aware of reports the airline had entered voluntary administration.

"We are conscious of the impact this situation has on travellers, ticket holders and the industry and on behalf of the Vanuatu tourism industry extend our apologies to anyone affected," the tourism organisation said in a statement.

"We are in contact with Air Vanuatu and the Vanuatu government and will share updates as they become available."

Port Vila-based Air Vanuatu has been in business for over 40 years and has fleet of six aircraft.

The Vanuatu Daily Post newspaper reported that the airline board has been disbanded and that Ernst & Young had taken over as administrators.

The airline website said only: "Due extended maintenance requirements on our Aircraft the following services listed below are impacted. We are working with our partner carriers to minimise the disruption to our guests."

It showed all flights over the next three days to and from Australia and New Zealand as "cancelled".   

 

Hotel industry big guns splash the cash

The hotel industry has been spending millions of dollars on upgrades and refurbs as travel numbers rocket towards pre-Covid figures.

Accor Pacific, the largest hotel operator in Australia and New Zealand, this week announced that its partners have invested more than $300 million in hotel renovations and refurbishments since the beginning of 2022.

"This significant investment demonstrates Accor Pacific and their partner's commitment to providing exceptional guest experiences and maintaining the highest standards of quality across its portfolio," the company said in a statement.

The upgrades have taken place in various locations throughout the Pacific region, including Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and French Polynesia.


The investments aims to enhance guest satisfaction and elevate property amenities.

"We are proud to announce this substantial investment in hotel renovations and refurbishments," said Accor Pacific CEO Sarah Derry.

"It reflects the commitment of our partners to invest in Accor's brands, which continue to deliver outstanding guest experiences. These renovations will not only enhance the overall guest experience, but also contribute to the economic growth and development of the local communities where Accor hotels, apartments and resorts are located.

“The renovations have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from guests, who have noted the enhanced comfort and improved facilities. Accor continues to prioritise guest satisfaction and aims to provide exceptional experiences that exceed expectations.”

Among the notable projects completed is the highly anticipated refurbishment of Manly Pacific - MGallery, located in Manly, Sydney (top image). The extensive renovation showcases the hotel's commitment to contemporary design and luxurious comfort. The updated property now offers state-of-the-art facilities, modernised guest rooms, and improved amenities, ensuring an unforgettable stay for guests.

Peppers Waymouth Adelaide also unveiled a new look earlier this year. The 202-room flagship Adelaide hotel renovation includes 17 floors of reappointed guestrooms, as well as the addition of two new luxury suites and two dedicated family rooms.

The hotel also added a new restaurant - TUTTO Cucina + Bar - with an open kitchen and wine cellar to its ground floor, plus a new high-end private dining room / boardroom, guest library lounge and enhanced conference rooms located on level one of the hotel.

Following a multi-million dollar transformation, the five-star Swissôtel Sydney has unveiled its new lobby bar Arches on Market, and European-inspired rooftop pool.

The Playford - MGallery, Adelaide's original five-star boutique hotel, recently received a $25m makeover including guest rooms, function spaces, reception and a new stand-alone restaurant and bar, Luma.

Accor brands across the Pacific region include: Sofitel, MGallery, Art Series, Pullman, Swissôtel, Mövenpick, Grand Mercure, Peppers, The Sebel, Mantra, Handwritten Collection, Novotel, Mercure, BreakFree, ibis, ibis Styles and ibis budget, as well as Ennismore's SO/ and TRIBE.

Virgin Australia re-boots flights to Samoa

Virgin Australia has resumed flights to Samoa with up to two flights a week between Sydney-Apia and Brisbane-Apia.

Virgin has also launched a 72-hour Samoa sale, with return airfares available from $549 (economy lite).

Both routes will be serviced by Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

Virgin Australia Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer Alistair Hartley said the return was welcome news for travellers across the Pacific.

“There is a strong Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) market in Samoa," he said. 

“It’s an exciting step in the rebuilding of our short-haul international network and comes ahead of our return to Vanuatu later this month.

“Samoa is well-known for its rich culture and friendly locals and has been a popular destination in the Virgin Australia network since 2005.”

Samoa Tourism Authority CEO Pativaine Petaia-Tevita said: “The return of Virgin Australia flights from Australia to Samoa is wonderful news for the nation, boosting collective efforts to rebuild and recover Samoa’s visitor economy.

“With a diverse flight schedule it means more and more travellers will be able to make their way to us to experience Fa`a-Samoa, our beautiful culture and way of life.”

For more information or to book, visit virginaustralia.com.

Fiji drops all entry requirements

International travellers to Fiji are no longer be required to provide proof of Covid-19 vaccination and hold travel insurance.

The final set of entry requirements to visiting the Pacific island nation were removed this week, Travel Mole reported.

Fiji welcomed 636,312 visitors in 2022, a strong recovery that surpassed targets.

Tourism Fiji CEO Brent Hill said: “The industry welcomes the decision to remove all restrictions and invites the world to come and experience Fiji.

“We still strongly encourage travellers to have travel insurance and take the necessary precautions.”

Until now, all adult arrivals were required to produce proof of full vaccination and travel insurance, which is still encouraged.

About 95% per of Fiji’s adult population is vaccinated.

"Fiji now has zero travel restrictions and offers a safe and relaxing holiday for travellers from all over the world," says the Fiji Tourism website www.fiji.travel 

Image: LikuLiku Lagoon Resort, Fiji 

Discover a new tropical island destination direct from Sydney

Done Bali? Visited Thailand? Love Fiji?

How about adding the Cook Islands to your list of tropical holiday destinations?

Jetstar announced today that it is launching non-stop flights between Sydney and Rarotonga from June 29 next year. Count me in.

It will be the first time the carrier has operated flights between Australia and the Cook Islands, and to celebrate the new route Jetstar is offering a special sale price of $229^ one-way in a 48-hour sale that has just started.

The new service will provide two weekly return flights on Jetstar’s newest aircraft, the new-generation, longer-range Airbus A321neo LR.

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown said the news was very important for the small island nation.

He said tourism was the backbone of its economy, contributing 75% of GDP.

“The new services from Jetstar will provide a major boost to our tourism sector and the financial impact for local tourism operators and the nation is significant,” he said.

“We are delighted that Jetstar is making this commitment to the Cook Islands.”

The Cook Islands are known for stunning lagoons, beautiful white sand beaches and warm temperatures.

It already welcomes more than 29,000 visitors from Australia annually, and the additional Jetstar capacity from June, 2023 will allow the market to grow further.

Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully said: “Rarotonga is a stunning tropical island and we’re excited to introduce our great low fares on this new route ahead of next year’s winter school holidays, offering Australians the opportunity to escape the cold and explore one of the most beautiful destinations in the South Pacific.

“The direct Sydney to Rarotonga will be our second route to the popular island, but the first from Australia and we thank the Cook Islands Government for their ongoing support.”

Jetstar already flies to Rarotonga from Auckland, New Zealand.

See www.cookislands.travel for more info. Or book at www.jetstar.com/au/en/

Are Australian travellers ready to embrace Tonga?

Can Tonga be the new Bali or Fiji?

Qantas hopes so.

The Australian flag carrier is expanding its South Pacific presence with the addition of Tonga to its network, offering a new tropical island destination for Australian travellers to explore.

Following the recent reopening of Tonga’s borders, Qantas will fly weekly between Sydney and Nuku’alofa’s Fua’amotu Airport. The four and a half hour flights will be the only direct services between Australia and Tonga.

Qantas has been operating services since December 2020, supported by the Australian Government’s Pacific Flights Program.

These flights have maintained critical passenger and freight links while international borders were closed. As of now, passengers can book a flight directly on www.qantas.com with services operating every Thursday to Tonga.

The inclusion of Tonga to the international network follows the recent commitment of weekly services to Samoa as Qantas grows its presence in the South Pacific Islands off the back of strong holiday travel demand.

Qantas will initially operate one flight a week with a A330 aircraft between Tonga and Sydney alongside the Samoa service.

Flights to Tonga start from $866 return.

“Since the opening of Australia’s border, we have seen strong demand across our Qantas operated South Pacific services” said a Qantas spokesperson

“Fiji is 50% higher than pre-Covid demand, Noumea is 13% higher and flights to Samoa are performing ahead of expectations.

“These flights will help Australian-based South Pacific Islanders visit family and friends back home, as well as providing travel hungry Australians a choice of Pacific neighbours to explore.”

Forget Bali; Saipan may soon be calling Australian tourists

A remote and tiny US-run Pacific island with around 50,000 people hopes to replace Bali as a favourite with Australian tourists.

Saipan, an island that has variously been a Spanish, German and Japanese colony, is just six hours from Brisbane and hopes to become a new hub for Australian tourists seeking sunshine.

With 70% of adults on the largest of the Northern Mariana Islands fully vaccinated against Covid-19, Saipan hopes to soon welcome Australian visitors.

Travellers with long memories might recall Saipan and Guam being destinations visited by Continental Airlines from Australian ports.

And with the virus running rampant in Bali, Saipan hopes to offer a safe and attractive alternative for Australians when international travel returns.

A new airline, Marianas Pacific, aims to operate services between Saipan and Australia.

The chairman of Marianas Pacific, Neil Hansford, says it is likely health authorities will allow Australians to travel to Saipan far earlier than other popular tourist destinations like Indonesia or the Philippines, due to the island’s success managing Covid-19.

“They have an excellent resort structure there with over 3000 rooms,” he said. “The economy is dependent on tourism so they’re doing something to get their way out of it.”

Diving is a key attraction in the former World War II battleground, site of fierce fighting in 1944. Suicide Cliff is where many Japanese civilians and soldiers jumped off of the high cliffs rather than surrender to the American forces in the last days of the battle for Saipan.

There are underwater caves and caverns to explore, wrecks, coral reefs, wall- and drop-off dives to be done. Perhaps the most visited and famous site is “The Grotto”.

It is consistently ranked as one of the best dives in the Pacific, and one of the top submarine cavern sites in the world.

The airline plans to operate as a United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-approved scheduled service air carrier, allowing unrestricted worldwide operations.

Marianas Pacific’s planned operations will provide 52 flights a week on seven niche routes in the next three years using three US-registered Boeing 757-200 aircraft.

The planned routes will be accessible to over 313 million people in four countries within a 6 hour 15 minutes flying time of Saipan.

The airline says a cornerstone of the plan is to provide direct links to Saipan from Australia, a high-yield tourism market that the Marianas Visitors Authority (MVA) has sought direct access to for many years.