Michael Meade Appointed as Acting CEO of Tourism Fiji

[HD video below] Michael Meade has been appointed as Acting CEO of Tourism Fiji and has taken up leadership of the Fijian national tourism organisation.

Fiji's Minister of Tourism and Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said he was delighted to welcome Michael Meade to Fiji to help guide Fijian tourism as the organization begins to implement a new change in its strategic goals and objectives. "Michael is one of Asia Pacific’s more successful tourism executives and he brings a wealth of over 30 years of knowledge and experience to Tourism Fiji," he said.

 An Australian national, Mr Meade has held senior management and marketing roles in some of the world’s leading hospitality and aviation brands.

These include the InterContinental Hotels Group, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, Southern Pacific Hotels Corporation, Rendezvous Hospitality Group, Jin Jiang Hotels China and British Airways.

Mr. Meade knows Pacific tourism well and has worked throughout the Asia-Pacific including positions based in Australia, New Zealand, China, Malaysia and Thailand.

The Minister said the Bainimarama Government was pleased with this year’s visitor arrivals and yields.

"The results clearly show that the initial shift in strategic focus that we requested of Tourism Fiji and implemented this year is working as we are on target to not only achieve record visitor arrivals but also see an increase in average room rates, visitor spending, tax revenue, and overall benefits for Fiji and the Fijian people," he said. "As a result, Tourism Fiji will continue focusing on growth and higher yields in our main markets of Australia, New Zealand and USA, whilst further growing and developing emerging high growth markets such as China and India."

Mr David Pflieger, Chairman of Tourism Fiji, added that growth and development of Fiji’s brand and its reputation as an exotic and inspirational destination, along with further enhancement of the destination’s resorts, hotels, and airlines will be all-important for 2012 as the national tourism organisation works in collaboration with the industry to further grow and enhance Fiji’s important tourism industry.

"Fiji is an amazing country, and we at Tourism Fiji are excited to be embarking on a fresh new way to enhance tourism and ensure everything we do is designed to benefit the people and economy of Fiji," he said.

Interview with Tourism Fiji

At the WTM in London last month, ASIA Travel Tips.com sat down with Thomas Valentine, Senior Marketing Officer of Tourism Fiji and asked him about the status of tourism to Fiji. Watch the video below.

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