Tauranga kicks off cruise season worth $111.8m

Two back-to-back ship arrivals marked the start of the Tauranga cruise season, as the region prepares to welcome up to 230,000 passengers and crew over the next seven months. Celebrity Edge, carrying up to 4300 passengers and crew, was the first...

Which countries are visa-free for UK passport holders? Here’s the full list

UK passport holders are able to travel to many parts of the world without having to apply for a visa first, with visa-free policies allowing stays of several weeks to several months. It makes last-minute holidays possible and means gap-year...

Value oceans, don't plunder them, French Polynesia leader tells AFP

French Polynesia pledged this week to create the world's largest marine protected area to safeguard its seas -- and it hopes to encourage others to lift their game.The archipelago in the far South Pacific Ocean, an overseas territory of France, is...

‘A chronicle of disaster foretold’: French Polynesia leader warns against deep-sea mining, urges ocean conservation

NICE (France), June 13 — French Polynesia pledged this week to create the world’s largest marine protected area to safeguard its seas — and it hopes to encourage others to lift their game. The archipelago in the far South Pacific Ocean, an...

French Polynesia Sees Record Tourism Numbers in 2024

Tourism in French Polynesia is expected to remain at record levels in 2025, according to a press release. The newly inaugurated Papeete cruise terminal, launched in February 2024 and has become a key hub in the region’s growing cruise market. In...

British doctor honoured on stamps for remote islands

Jonathan HolmesBBC News, West of England Reporting fromCheltenham ShareSave The stamps had to be approved by the King before being used A historian researching his wife's ancestors has helped to get their portraits issued on a stamp series by one...

LOCAL GETAWAYS | Enjoy your holiday on a budget

Fiji, though often seen as a luxury destination, can be visited on a budget with the right planning. Whether you’re flying, cruising, or sailing in, there are ways to save at every step. According to fijipocketguide.com, the main thing you need to...

Warning as listeria outbreak kills two and makes 21 seriously ill prompting cheese recall

Health authorities have withdrawn potentially deadly soft cheese following two fatalities in France were linked to a listeria outbreak which it is feared could have spread to Britain. A further 21 individuals also fell seriously unwell after...

Hokulea and Hikianalia near French Polynesia milestone

Tourism at a Tipping Point: How the World—and India—Are Grappling with Over-Tourism

Image credit - iStock-2059000948 In 2024 alone, Europe welcomed over 747 million international visitors, according to the UN World Tourism Barometer. Southern and Western Europe accounted for the lion’s share—over 70%—highlighting the intense...

Fragility, Beauty, and Urgency Characterize Ocean Photographer of the Year 2025

The finalists of this year’s Ocean Photographer of the Year competition (previously) have really blown it out of the water. From hundreds of baby octopuses in the waters around Indonesia to remarkable humpback whales to a dramatic encounter with a...

‘Everyone’s doing awesome’: Hokulea, Hikianalia make steady progress toward French Polynesia

HILO (HawaiiNewsNow) - Nearly a week since the Hokulea and Hikianalia departed from Hilo, they are making steady progress towards French Polynesia. After six days at sea, the canoes are on course and are approximately halfway to the equator. Crews...

Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia crews sail steadily toward French Polynesia

Nearly a week since departing Hilo, Hawaiʻi Island, the voyaging canoes Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia are making steady progress on their sail to French Polynesia, the first international leg that resumes the Moananuiākea Voyage. After six days at sea,...

Pioneer Days Schedule! Plus, Hurricane Prep, Clean Water Talks, Family Fun, and Community Events Fill August Calendar

From storm safety training and conservation lectures to book sales, bike rodeos, and Pioneer Days traditions, Charlotte and Sarasota counties are buzzing with events for all ages this August. The Englewood Pioneer Days Celebration Is On! Pioneer...

Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia arrive at Bora Bora

Polynesian voyaging canoes Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia on Aug. 9 arrived in Bora Bora — their final port of call in French Polynesia before continuing on to Rarotonga in the Cook Islands — after a 2-day sail from Tautira, Tahiti. Photo Courtesy:...

Employees at this longtime Newport News travel agency have over 300 years of experience combined

When a travel agent has lost count of how many journeys they’ve taken, that’s when you know you’re dealing with a true expert. And such agents at Warwick Travel in Newport News are celebrating 50 years of the business crafting unforgettable trips...

ABC Radio Australia photo competition is back!

We're looking for photos that showcase the beauty, diverse cultures, and stunning landscapes of the Pacific Islands. Submit your best photo from wherever you are in the Pacific and each week, our judges panel will be choosing our favourite. Weekly...

French Polynesia’s Wall of sharks

My investigation starts in Fakarava’s south pass where I spotted the famous ‘wall of sharks’ at the beginning of my trip. To find out why so many grey reef sharks gather here around the year, I meet up with Yannis P. Papastamatiou, associate...

The 24 common scams and traps travellers fall for (and how to avoid them)

On a recent trip to Aswan in southern Egypt, I paid $40 for 250 grams of fresh dates. As I was wandering through the souk, I lingered at a stall piled with glistening mini-pyramids of dates and soon the stallholder sauntered across. “Where are you...

Loss and Damage poised for top-level spotlight at Pacific Islands Forum...

By Ednal Palmer in Apia Samoa Climate change induced-Loss and Damage stands the chance of being featured at the Pacific’s highest political gathering — the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) — when leaders meet in Honiara, Solomon Islands, this...