Sep 21, 2009

Ultimate Eco Escapes - Sport Diver Magazine Sept 2009 - Matava - Fijis Premier Eco Adventure Resort

Matava named as an Ultimate Eco Escape in Sport Diver Magazine

Sport Diver Magazine - September 2009

Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort is pround to be named as one of the world's Ultimate eco Escapes by PADI Diving Society's SPORT DIVER Magazine in September 2009.

Sport Diver September 2009

Ultimate Eco Escapes - Sport Diver Magazine Sept 2009



Ultimate Eco Escapes - Sport Diver Magazine Sept 2009 - Matava - Fijis Premier Eco Adventure Resort

Sep 16, 2009

WIN A SEVEN-NIGHT TRIP TO MATAVA—FIJI’S PREMIER ECO ADVENTURE RESORT IN 2ND ANNUAL OCEAN IN FOCUS CONSERVATION PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST

Project AWARE Foundation and SeaWeb’s Marine Photobank are joining forces to host the second annual Ocean in Focus Conservation Photography contest that seeks entries showing the destructive impact on marine environments in order to inspire conservationist actions. Photographers of all experience levels, including conservationists, scientists, divers, travelers and students are encouraged to compete for the contests’ Grand Prize: a diving vacation to Fiji, including a seven-night stay at Matava—Fiji’s Premier Eco-Adventure Resort. Prizes also include sterling silver coral-inspired necklaces from Hannah Garrison, beautiful Bob Talbot prints and carbon offsets from NativeEnergy. Photographers will compete for prizes in two contest categories: Species of Concern/Ecosystem Decline and Humans and the Ocean: Impacts and Solutions.

“This photo contest is geared toward advancing ocean conservation through the power of imagery,” according to SeaWeb President, Dawn M. Marin. “There are many problems to be addressed in the ocean. Anyone who holds a camera in their hand has the power to change the hearts and minds of people around them through the images they capture and the inspiration those images can provide.”

Information: info@matava.com


Tourism Fiji July 2009

Sep 6, 2009

Matava is Fiji's first Resort member of The International Ecotourism Society - Matava - Fijis Premier Eco Adventure Resort

Matava recognised as TIES first ever resort member in the Fiji Islands
Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco-Adventure Resort is proud to announce that we are Fiji's first Resort Business member of The International Ecotourism Society (TIES).
The International Ecotourism Society

As the world's oldest and largest international ecotourism association, TIES seeks to be the global source of knowledge and advocacy uniting communities, conservation, and sustainable travel.

A common question asked is what EXACTLY is ecotourism? Ecotourism is: "Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people." (TIES, 1990)

TIES promotes ecotourism, which is defined as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people," by:

  • Creating an international network of individuals, institutions and the tourism industry;
  • Educating tourists and tourism professionals; and
  • Influencing the tourism industry, public institutions and donors to integrate the principles of ecotourism into their operations and policies.


The International Ecotourism Society "Uniting conservation, communities and sustainable travel, TIES promotes responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people."
To achieve and maintain membership of TIES Matava must abide by all the Principles of TIES and Ecotourism.

Principles of Ecotourism:The Great Astrolabe Reef in Kadavu, Fiji

Ecotourism is about uniting conservation, communities, and sustainable travel. This means that those who implement and participate in ecotourism activities should follow the following ecotourism principles:
  • Minimize impact.
  • Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect.
  • Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts.
  • Provide direct financial benefits for conservation.
  • Provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people.
  • Raise sensitivity to host countries' political, environmental, and social climate.
"At Matava, we are of course both happy and proud to be a Resort member of TIES, the world's oldest and largest international ecotourism association." said Matava Director, Mr Richard Akhtar.

"We also see this as a great step forward and opportunity for all Fiji resorts, both on Kadavu and in the Fiji Islands, to move forward in their standards to achieve truly world class service and capabilities required for this membership level and to do it in the true spirit of ecotourism."


Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco-Adventure Resort Mr Akhtar finished by saying "We would like to thank all friends and clients of Matava and Mad Fish Dive Centre past and present who have contributed to the success of our eco resort and we look forward to exciting times ahead."

The International Ecotourism Soceity (TIES) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting ecotourism. Founded in 1990, TIES has been in the forefront of the development of ecotourism, providing guidelines and standards, training, technical assistance, research and publications. TIES' global network of ecotourism professionals and travelers is leading the efforts to make tourism a viable tool for conservation, protection of bio-cultural diversity, and sustainable community development. Through membership services, industry outreach and educational programs, TIES is committed to helping organizations, communities and individuals promote and practice the principles of ecotourism. TIES currently has members in more than 90 countries, representing various professional fields and industry segments including: academics, consultants, conservation professionals and organizations, governments, architects, tour operators, lodge owners and managers, general development experts, and ecotourists.

Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort, is an eco adventure getaway offering you a fun and unique blend of cultural experiences and adventure activities in the environmentally pristine and remote island of Kadavu in the Fiji Islands. Matava - Fiji Premier Eco Adventure Resort is a PADI Dive Resort as well as a Project AWARE GoEco Operator. Matava offers accommodation for up to 22 guests in lush tropical surroundings in traditional thatched Fijian 'bures' with hardwood polished floors, louvre windows and private decks offering privacy, comfort and superb ocean views.

Matava is Fiji's first Resort member of The International Ecotourism Society - Matava - Fijis Premier Eco Adventure Resort

Jetstar to fight V Australia for Fiji rights

After V Australia announced its intentions for Fiji as its second international destination, Jetstar has confirmed that it too wants to fly the South Pacific route and intends to scoop the air rights from underneath the start-up carrier.

In a filing with the International Air Services Commission (IASC), Qantas Group acknowledged Virgin Group’s intentions to fly Fiji and said it would apply for the same seats.

“The Qantas Group has noted the application by V Australia, dated 12 August 2009, for an allocation of 1,267 seats on the Fiji route,” said Qantas to the IASC.

“The Qantas Group intends to apply for an allocation of capacity on this route which would comprise shelf capacity and a portion of the capacity which V Australia has applied for.”

As both carriers have applied for the same limited capacity, the IASC has in turn asked both carriers to explain how their services would benefit the public and submit their responses before the 8th of September.

Due to the “limited capacity” on the route, the airlines will have to justify why they, and not their competitor, should get the air rights to Fiji.

V Australia intends to fly its 360-seat Boeing 777-300ERs to Nadi and is looking for rights to 1,267 seats a week, while Jetstar will look to fly its 213 Airbus A320s into Nadi with 1,491 seats a week.


Jetstar to fight V Australia for Fiji rights - etravelblackboard.com

Sep 4, 2009

TIES Joins the ATTA's 2009 Adventure Travel World Summit to Co-Lead Sustainable Tourism Trade Forums

Washington, DC, August 25, 2009 – Two newly featured forums scheduled for the Adventure Travel Trade Association's 2009 Adventure Travel World Summit, both addressing sustainable tourism, will gain heightened conservation expertise and perspectives through the first-time conference collaboration between the ATTA and The International Ecotourism Society (TIES).
ATTA and TIES, which for years have together explored common interests in promoting responsible tourism and sustainable practices, are co-developing and will co-lead the Meeting of the Minds and Collaborative Learning interactive forums. The ATTA’s trade-only Adventure Travel World Summit is set for October 19-22 in Charlevoix, Québec Province, Canada.
"Tackling matters such as sustainable tourism requires the best minds,” said ATTA President Shannon Stowell. “The Summit offers a timely and high quality setting to join minds, debate openly, share resources, bring common visions together, and to ensure these discussions continue long after conference. With the ATTA and TIES collaborating, we've got an incredible opportunity to create the perfect forum for the subject."
ATTA and TIES guided, the two-part Meeting of the Minds "Sustainability" forums will address key challenges and opportunities concerning a variety of topics (e.g., carbon offsets, voluntourism, education, outreach, training, etc.) brought forth by the global adventure travel industry for collective brainstorming, dialogue and debate. Whereas the Meeting of the Minds “think-tank” forums will focus on broad industry matters, the two Collaborative Learning "Sustainable Tourism in Emerging Destinations" forums will provide delegates the chance to share and explore their own real-world case studies to build understanding, to gain practical tools, insights and action plans for organizational implementation.
"Participating in the ATTA's Adventure Travel World Summit is a great opportunity for our two organizations to visibly convey our shared interests in sustainability initiatives," said TIES Chair Dr. Kelly Bricker. "We're thrilled to represent TIES global network at the Summit, where sustainability is at the forefront of innovative and interactive discussions. TIES will be able to contribute to and help strengthen the industry-wide efforts to mainstream sustainability through education, collaboration and proactive outreach."
Others actively contributing sustainability expertise to these forums include:
  • Dr. Rachel Dodds - Icarus Foundation
  • Richard Edwards - Planeterra
  • Megan Epler Wood – EplerWood International
  • Sarah Fazendin - The Fazendin Portfolio
  • Christina Heyniger - Xola Consulting
  • Nadia LeBon - Mountain Lodges of Peru
  • Brad Nahill - SEE Turtles
  • Wallace J Nichols - OceanRevolution.org
  • Daniella Ruby Papi - PepyRide
  • Valere Tjolle - VISION on Sustainable Tourism
Adventure Travel World Summit sponsors include: Host Destination Tourisme Québec and Aventure Ecotourisme Québec; Major Sponsors ExOfficio and Men’s Journal; and Key Sponsors Alpine Tourist Commission, Archaeology Magazine, Best of the Alps, Brazil, Tourism Promotion Corporation of Chile, Eddie Bauer, Innovation Norway, and National Geographic Adventure. Summit registration and program information is available on the Summit website.
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About The International Ecotourism Society (TIES)
TIES is a non-profit association committed to promoting ecotourism, which is defined as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people" (TIES, 1990), through outreach, education, and collaboration. TIES' global network supports and is supported by members from over 90 countries, who are leading the vital efforts to make travel and tourism more sustainable. A global source of knowledge and advocacy, TIES' Your Travel Choice Blog offers an interactive platform to engage, educate and inspire everyone to make travel choices that make a difference.

About the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA)

Established in 1990, the ATTA is a global membership organization dedicated to unifying, networking, professionalizing, promoting and responsibly growing the adventure travel market. ATTA members include tour operators, destination marketing organizations, tourism boards, specialty travel agents, guides, accommodations, media and service providers. Host of the annual Adventure Travel World Summit executive trade conferences, the ATTA also makes possible www.Adventure.Travel, the traveler's hub of physical, cultural and nature-based adventure travel and guide to trusted tour operators from around the globe.