Post-COVID-19 plans are already underway awaiting the much anticipated reality of a “Pacific Travel Bubble”. Here’s what you can expect from a few of our favourite resort operators.

Life in the Pacific Bubble of Happiness. Our resorts are getting ready for the new ‘normal’.

As the chatter surrounding the potential opening of selected travel routes around the Pacific Islands gains momentum, we have dared to start dreaming about returning to some of our favourite resorts.  For all intents and purpose, they will look the same as they did when we last enjoyed their beautiful warmth and gorgeous hospitality.  But like everything in our ‘new world’, they will operate just a little bit differently when they throw open their doors to welcome back ‘lockdown’ weary guests.

So what will airports, air travel and resort life look like in the ‘Pacific Bubble of Happiness?‘

New look airports and air travel

All our airports have re-designed how we get to our holiday destination. From online or kiosk check-ins, extra physical distancing and masks for all staff and passengers to enhanced aircraft cleaning, HEPA filters in the air-conditioning and Wellness Champions onboard to ensure the safest, most comfortable travel possible. Click here to read more about Fly Safe with Fiji Airways.

The death of the serve yourself breakfast buffet

Actually, the death of all resort buffets we suspect, including Lovo’s and theme nights.  Moving forward, Castaway Island will offer an a la carte breakfast menu served directly to you on your socially distanced dining table, and whilst Vomo Island’s fabulous cold room of deliciousness containing fruits, healthy juices, yogurts, homemade granola, pastries and yummy cold cuts will remain, guests will select from a safe distance and waiters will distribute directly, thereby avoiding guest contact.

Personal space is the new black

Happily, the game of ‘let’s see how many pool chairs we can fit into two linear metres’ is over.  Dining areas and restaurants will be reconfigured to allow more space between tables and pool/beach chairs will be spread out to ensure guest relaxation and peace of mind.  Malolo Island Resort is looking to restrict room inventory thereby guaranteeing inhouse guests have the space to socially distance to their hearts content and staff can deep clean rooms at the completion of each stay.  The Havannah in Vanuatu has purchased a new boat for its Sunset Cruise – a significantly bigger vessel but restricting it to only 3 couples at any time so that all can enjoy the cocktails, canapes and gorgeous view from their own ‘space’.

Introducing Sanitisation and Hygiene – 2020’s fashionable “it” girls

As our medical experts guide us carefully to the other side of these unprecedented times, NASA-strength cleaning products and sanitisation processes will be used throughout resorts, ensuring that WHO, Safework Australia and local Ministries of Health standards are met. Vomo Island, for example, have introduced a double sterilization procedure of snorkels and masks, and are offering guests the opportunity to purchase their own snorkels and masks if they feel more comfortable.  Our temperatures will be taken on arrival, departure and potentially in between and bottles of hand sanitiser will be more abundant than bottles of Champagne.

The $20 million dollar question on everyone’s lips…. will the Resort’s cancellation and change policies be more relaxed?

Covid taught the world many things.  For some, it was the joy of baking sourdough bread, and for others the incredible value of human connection. Travellers, however, learnt how few of us had ever read the Booking Terms and Conditions we had deposited our holidays against.  The Travel Industry, for the most part, recognises that as we start to dip our toes back into foreign waters that people are going to be concerned about putting down big dollars against holidays when the world is in such a state of disarray.

Many resorts are consequently relaxing their terms and conditions for people who confirm reservations departing in the coming months.  Dates and conditions of the cancellation moratorium differ from resort to resort for arrivals to 31 December 20 or even as late as 30 Jun 21. Many are forfeiting or reducing the amount of deposit required.  Some are relaxing their cancellation periods to anywhere between 15 days and 24 hours, allowing guests the opportunity to cancel or change dates without penalty, if a second wave takes hold.

Cheaper, non-refundable rates will, however, be just that – non-refundable.  No changes.  No refunds.  No date amendments.  If you elect to book and pay for these rates, remember you are agreeing to these very strict conditions.  If you are more risk-averse, then discuss with your travel agent the most flexible options available to you.

The most important thing is…that the important things will never change.

As we lament the Covid demise of the General Manager’s weekly Cocktail Party and embrace the changes to our normal holiday routine necessary to ensure ongoing guest and staff safety, we happily celebrate the important things that won’t change.

• The pristine environment – clean air, clean beaches and space for the whole family to roam.
• The relaxed pace of resort life –lazy hours, watersports, delicious meals and cocktail hours.
• And most importantly,the amazing warmth of the Pacific Islanders. The laughter as you joke with staff, the tears as you are serenaded from the resort and the generous BULA shared with everyone from your waiter to the gardener.

The beautiful Islanders are the reason we travel to the Pacific and are the essence of Bubble of Happiness, and we can’t wait to be part of it.

Bring on the Pacific Bubble.

Latest consumer trends. What’s popular right now…

We’re definitely experiencing a trend towards smaller resorts rather than large traditional-style hotels with hotel rooms in blocks. Some of the South Pacific’s most popular and beautiful resorts are found on some of its smallest islands, namely…

• Pacific resort Aitutaki, COOK ISLANDS
• Matamanoa Island Fiji, FIJI
• Tokoriki Island Resort, FIJI
• The Havannah Vanuatu, VANUATU

Less crowded. More space. The perfect COVID-19 travel antidote.

PLUS lots of interest in private luxury villas …

Considering COVID times, we were anticipating an increase in private holiday homes. And it’s starting to happen. The best way to social distance is to rent your own Private Luxury Villa or, even better, a Residence with multiple bedrooms. Perfect for large family reunions, group bookings or for couples with a healthy budget who love their luxury, space and privacy.

• Consider in FIJI Vomo Island Fiji , Kokomo Private Island, Six Senses Fiji
• Auberge Nanuku Resort & Villas, FIJI
• Te Manava, Cook Islands
• The Havannah Boathouse, VANUATU
• Nakatumble Eco Villa, Port Vila, VANUATU

Bedrooms and bedding configuration as well as amenities in each home and villa can be a little overwhelming in terms of choice so make sure you speak to one o our luxury island experts before choosing the perfect getaway for your travelling party.

Some generous post-COVID discounts of note…