travel news review

9 March '99
A new study by Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) has revealed a dramatic increase in the vulnerability of hundreds of islands in South Pacific due to rising sea levels. As worldwide greenhouse emissions contribute to sea level rise, continually increasing levels of emissions could be devastating for many South Pacific islands, some of which are now no more than 1.5m (5 ft) above sea level. The study calls on developing nations to make substantial cuts to their emission levels to ensure the survival of these smaller low-lying Pacific Islands.

29 January '99
Fiji Both Fiji and Vanuatu have reported extensive damage following the arrival of Cyclone Dani in the South Pacific last week. Vanuatu's outer islands have been the most affected, particularly the northern island of Efate where there was considerable flooding. In Fiji, the western part of the main island, Viti Levu has been badly affected by heavy rains in the aftermath of Cyclone Dani. The towns of Ba, Tavua and Nadi have been severely flooded, with floodwaters reaching rooftops. Most roads, including the Kings Road to Suva, were closed temporarily. As no more heavy rainfalls are predicted, these towns are expected to dry out over the next week.

8 January '99
Tonga is on a dengue fever alert following a resurgence of the disease in the Pacific. Authorities are on a massive clean up of potential breeding grounds for the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which carries dengue fever. In Fiji, health authorities are hoping they have contained a recent outbreak of the disease, which claimed 14 lives last year.

7 December '98
Ansett Australia have started a twice weekly service to Fiji. Ansett will fly to Fiji on Saturday and Tuesday. Fiji is traditionally a popular holiday choice with Australians and also has strong trade links with Australia.

9 November '98
Daylight saving was introduced in Fiji on Saturday 31 October. The Fiji government believes the change to daylight saving will reduce the number of road accidents as well as increase productivity. For the next four months, Fiji will be one hour ahead of neighbouring islands. The decision will also help Fiji in its quest to be the first place in the world to see in the new millenium - Siberia, Tonga, and Pitt Island off the New Zealand coast as well as Fiji are all competing for the title.

20 October '98
Air Pacific has introduced direct flights between Sydney and the Fijian capital of Suva this month. The new services are expected to open up the eastern and northern regions of Fiji to tourism. Air Pacific will use new 737-400 aircraft and the Sydney to Suva service will run six times a week, replacing the two current Sydney-Nadi services. There will be further services between Brisbane, Melbourne and Nadi (increasing Brisbane-Nadi flights to six and Melbourne-Nadi services to four).

28 September '98
Ansett Airlines will begin operating direct flights from Australia to Fiji next year. The flights, two per week, will compete with existing Qantas flights from Sydney to Nadi.

27 May '98
Water restrictions, which have been in place in Fiji for a number of months, have been lifted in some parts of the country. The restrictions were introduced last September and have been lifted in central and eastern Fiji following heavy rains. Restrictions continue in the western and northern regions.

4 March '98
The Great South Pacific Millennial Sunrise Brawl continues. Fiji has tried to ensure it enjoys the first daybreak of the new millennium by introducing daylight savings, but Tonga’s King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV is adamant his nation will beat the Fijians to it. But at this stage, it looks like New Zealand’s Chatham Islands will stay 45 minutes ahead of Fiji, closely followed by Millennium Island in Kiribati.

4 February '98
An outbreak of dengue fever in Fiji in December last year has resulted in more than 6000 suspected cases of the disease. The government has only recently introduced control and eradication programs to kill mosquitos carrying dengue fever. Most cases of the disease have been reported in Fiji's central and eastern regions, and other nations in the Pacific - including the Solomon Islands and Nauru - have also recently commenced control and eradication programs. As the disease is transmitted by mosquitos, the main preventative measure is to avoid mosquito bites by using a repellent and covering up.