Tourism Fiji Fosters a Strategic Partnership with Ctrip to Boost Visitor Arrivals from China

On June 25, Tourism Fiji in partnership with Fiji Airways has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Ctrip in Shanghai. This MOU will enable Tourism Fiji and Fiji Airways to closer collaborate with Ctrip on business development and joint promotional activities. This will accelerate Fiji’s existing marketing activities in China.

The MOU was signed in Shanghai by Tourism Fiji Chief Executive Officer Matthew Stoeckel (middle), Fiji Airways General Manager of Sales & Marketing Christina Templin (left) and General Manager Destination Marketing for Ctrip Amanda Wang

The MOU was signed in Shanghai by Tourism Fiji Chief Executive Officer Matthew Stoeckel, Fiji Airways General Manager of Sales & Marketing Christina Templin and Amanda Wang General Manager Destination Marketing for Ctrip, will see the three organisations collaborate to grow this important visitor market.

Under the agreement, Tourism Fiji in partnership with Fiji Airways will work with Ctrip to carry out comprehensive and strategic cooperation in destination marketing and product development. The collaborative approach between the airline and national tourism body further enables Ctrip to provide diverse travel packages for Chinese travelers which will drive incremental sales and boost visitor arrivals to Fiji.

Mr Stoeckel said the national tourism body had enjoyed a long and prosperous partnership with Ctrip to bring more Chinese visitors to Fiji.

“We have long enjoyed a productive relationship with Ctrip, a leading online travel agency in China, and I’m delighted to announce a strengthening of this relationship through the MOU in partnership with Fiji Airways. China is Fiji’s fourth largest market and we are confident that this collaborative approach will significantly assist Fiji to drive further visitor arrivals from the market”. he said.

According to the airline, Ctrip is the largest online consolidator of accommodations and transportation tickets in China in terms of transaction volume. Ctrip enables business and leisure travelers to make informed and cost-effective bookings by aggregating comprehensive travel related information and offering its services through an advanced transaction and service platform consisting of its mobile apps, websites and centralized, toll-free, 24-hour customer service center.

“Island tourism is a hot theme for Chinese tourists, with more and more Chinese tourists seen to be visiting the Pacific countries and Fiji being one of the most important destinations with its unique natural tourism resources and pleasant weather” said Amanda Wang, General Manager of Ctrip’s Destination Marketing. “Ctrip has established a good relationship with Tourism Fiji and Fiji Airways, with signing this strategic cooperation agreement, Ctrip will support Fiji continuously and provide Fiji with an integrated marketing channels including online and offline solutions. Meanwhile, with more in-depth access to local resources in Fiji, we will provide Chinese visitors with more rich and unique Fiji’s travel products.”

Fiji Airways Country Manager China Louise Huang (second from left), Fiji Airways General Manager of Sales & Marketing Christina Templin (third from left), General Manager Destination Marketing for Ctrip Amanda Wang (third from right), Tourism Fiji Chief Executive Officer Matthew Stoeckel (second from right), and Tourism Fiji Regional Manager in Greater China Vincent Zheng (right)

This announcement follows the establishment of a dedicated Tourism Fiji Office in Greater China last year to further develop the market. Tourism Fiji continues to invest in marketing and activities in the market and recently partnered with Fiji Airways to welcome the well-known Chinese actor and singer – Mr. Luo Yunxi to Fiji. Mr. Luo is regarded as a unique, positive and influential storyteller and was engaged by Tourism Fiji to visit the destination and share his experiences across his networks.

Tourism Fiji Regional Manager in Greater China Vincent Zheng said, “We are thrilled to strengthen and further develop the established relationship with Ctrip. This remarkable strategic cooperation will help facilitate Chinese travelers to visit Fiji as well as experience the natural beauty and rich cultural history of this tropical paradise. We are expecting to jointly generate tremendous influence in the development of Fiji tourism and bring more Chinese travelers to Fiji.”