Planeta Forum

[planeta]

David Stanley is a noted author and the host of the South Pacific Travel website
http://www.southpacific.org

I have corresponded with David for several years and was pleased when David agreed to participate in this online Q&A.

An edited version of this conversation appears online
http://www.planeta.com/ecotravel/weaving/davidstanley.html

REFERENCES

Pacific Islands
http://forum.planeta.com/viewtopic.php?t=211

Pacific Guide
http://www.planeta.com/pacific.html

To begin this conversation, David could you introduce yourself and your work to Planeta readers?

[pacifico]

I've been writing travel guidebooks since 1979. I co-authored my first book, Moon Handbooks South Pacific, with Bill Dalton, author of the legendary Indonesia Handbook. Bill bowed out after the first edition and I went on to research and write the following seven editions single-handed. The 8th and final edition of South Pacific was published in 2004 but I've plans to post many of the 1,091 pages on www.southpacific.org. This process could take several years as I'll try to update the text as I go.

New editions of my other books, Moon Fiji and Moon Tahiti, were just published by Avalon Travel Publishing of Berkeley, California. I plan to keep the Fiji and Tahiti books going for another few editions at least as it will give me an excuse to revisit one of my favorite travel areas. BTW, my photo collection of 15 South Pacific countries and territories is accessible at www.pacific-pictures.com.

I'm grateful to Planeta.com for setting up this conversation, and I invite viewers to post their Pacific travel questions and comments here. I look forward to hearing from you.

[planeta]

David, I read the news about the demise of the South Pacific guidebook in Tim Leffel's blog --
http://travel.booklocker.com/2007/12/14/the-state-of-travel-guidebooks -- which led me back to your site --
http://www.southpacific.org/blog/2007/12/south-pacific-handbook-rip.html

You write that changing Pacific travel patterns are a factor in the falling sales: "These days the vast majority of tourists to the South Pacific visit only a single destination. Longer island-hopping trips to three or more countries have become the exception."

I imagine that these changing travel trends are having a big impact on some of the smaller islands. What's your view of the future of South Pacific travel? Is it possible for travelers to buck the trend and visit three or more countries?

Also, what would you need to convert the South Pacific Handbook into an updated website or downloadable files?

[pacifico]

Of course it's quite possible to visit three or more South Pacific destinations on a single trip - it will just cost you a bit more money. If you're flying from Australia or New Zealand, you'll probably need to purchase another ticket from somewhere like Fiji to Samoa and Tonga. Another popular triangle ticket is Fiji to Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands. Coming from North America, you can get stops at either Tahiti or Rarotonga (one of them, not both) on the way down and Fiji or Samoa on the way back. You'll be forced to transit Auckland even if you aren't interested in visiting New Zealand.

Regarding Moon Handbooks South Pacific I want to post as much of the book as possible on my website http://www.southpacific.org but I'm still not sure how I'm going to handle it. I already have 10 one-page destination introductions on http://www.southpacific.org/guide/index.html and expanding them really isn't an option. I may use subdomains to keep the material separate from my main site and I'll probably start with a smaller chapter like Tokelau to see how it goes.

[planeta]

A background question -- who are the leaders in South Pacific Tourism and in your opinion are they doing a good job of promoting independent travel?

Are there regional policies highlighting ecotourism and responsible travel?

[pacifico]

The South Pacific Tourism Organisation at http://www.south-pacific.travel/ is the regional tourism promotion body, and yes, they do support smaller, independent tourism operators. Information about their "Pacific Plan" to facilitate the sustainable development of the tourism sector in the South Pacific is on the website.

The SPTO works closely with the national tourism offices, all of whom are listed on http://www.southpacific.org/info.html. In French Polynesia the territorial tourism body Tahiti Tourisme promotes family-operated pensions as strongly as the mega-resorts. This is partly because the pension owners vote locally while many of the five-star resorts are owned by overseas companies. The lesson is that politics can work to the advantage of smaller interests if they're organized and make their voices heard.

In Fiji, the Fiji Islands Visitors Bureau provides training and marketing support to village-operated backpacker resorts in the Yasawa Islands, for example. A strict Code of Contact to prevent environmental degradation and to maintain standards has been formulated by the Nacula Tikina Tourism Association in cooperation with the FVB and other stakeholders. The main points are summarized on http://www.oarsmansbay.com/ntta.asp and much of it is applicable in any rural tourism venue.

[planeta]

These are inspiring examples of government sites!

David, could you share some personal background? When did you first travel to the South Pacific? What stimulated your interest in documenting tourism in the region?

[pacifico]

My first visit to the South Pacific was in 1978 when I flew Pan American Airways to Tahiti and Pago Pago. I'd been corresponding with Bill Dalton, author of Indonesia, a Travelers Notes, and had sent him many corrections and additions to his guide. I told Bill that my next trip was to the South Pacific and he suggested we co-author a guidebook to the area. A year later the first edition of South Pacific Handbook appeared. The subsequent history of that book is on http://www.southpacific.org/editions/index.html

Over the years I've revisited the South Pacific many times and some of the countries - especially Fiji, Tahiti, Samoa, and the Cook Islands - are among my favorite destinations anywhere in the world. They're far enough off the mass travel routes not to be overwhelmed, and the environment is simply beautiful. It's a real pleasure to revisit an outer island I haven't seen for a while, to reconnect with old acquaintances and see how things have developed.

Do any of this forum's viewers have any specific areas which interest them? Feel free to share your experiences. You may also wish to pick up on something I've posted on my http://www.southpacifictravelblog.com/

[planeta]

David, can you tell us more about Fiji and Tahiti in terms of environmental awareness and attention to sustainability? Also, what should eco-minded travelers know before they buy their ticket?

[pacifico]

Frankly - and let's be completely honest here - the truly eco-minded traveler would probably chose to stay home. Jet aircraft are big emitters of greenhouse gases and most flights to the South Pacific are overnight when the damage to the environment is worst. The most eco-friendly travel is travel in your own local area, just the way the most eco-friendly food is locally grown.

However, I'm in the business of promoting travel to the South Pacific and I try to minimize the impact of mass tourism by encouraging visitors to stay in low impact locally-owned accommodations and to eat island food. I encourage people to use public transportation whenever possible rather than renting a car. In Fiji, it's very easy to travel everywhere by public transport, in French Polynesia less so.

In my opinion, sustainability means using local rather than imported products and living as the local population lives. If travelers spend their money in places where they see local residents spending their money, they strengthen the local infrastructure rather than helping outsiders create artificial economies for their own benefit. It's as simple as that and doesn't take a genius to recognize.

Where are Fiji and Tahiti in terms of sustainability? Fiji is much poorer than French Polynesia in material terms but it is decades ahead as far as sustainability goes. The French Polynesian economy is totally dependent on subsidies from France and the European Union. Much of its tourist industry is run by transnational companies. Bora Bora is a classic case of unsustainable development which will collapse as soon as long haul airline tickets become priced out of sight, as is certain to happen eventually.

Fiji also has a number of unsustainable mega resorts but they don't dominate the way they do in French Polynesia. Fiji is not dependent on foreign aid and much of its food is grown locally. Over half its electricity is hydroelectric. Fiji's vast sugar fields seem perfect for biodiesel production. For visitors, lots of village-operated resorts exist on the outer islands. They're the ones without air-conditioning, motorized watersports, imported food, and overseas managers. They're quite easy to spot.

[planeta]

Administrative note

David, your Fiji book just arrived. I'm updating our online guide to Pacific Islands
http://www.planeta.com/pacific.html

More questions to follow!

[planeta]

One of my favorite sections in any travel guidebook is the phrasebook. Daru lako!

What's your favorite Fijian phrase ... and why?

[pacifico]

Every Fiji visitor should know how to say vinaka (thank you). To emphasize your thanks, say vinaka vakalevu (thank you very much).

But the word Fiji visitors will hear most often is bula! meaning welcome! It's sort of symbolic of what Fiji is all about, and there aren't many countries around the world as friendly and welcoming as this. A variation is bula vinaka.

Another word you hear a lot is moce (goodbye), pronounced "mothe". And during your stay you'll doubtless be offered yaqona (kava), pronounced "yanggona".

[planeta]

Many thanks, David.

Administrative note - This particular topic has been viewed more than 2,000 times.

I have published an edited version of this conversation online
http://www.planeta.com/ecotravel/weaving/davidstanley.html

Ron