Fiji’s tourism remains upbeat<\/p>\n
SUVA, Fiji Islands—Tourist numbers have increased for the sixth consecutive month, according to a report released by the Fiji Visitors Bureau.<\/p>\n
August arrivals, totaling 40,680, were up 7.6 percent compared to the same month last year, with Australians topping the list with a 32 percent increase. This was followed by Japanese visitors, up 17.9 percent, and tourists from North America, grew 14 percent.<\/p>\n
A decline in New Zealand visitors prevented a higher growth figure.<\/p>\n
Visitor arrivals for the first seven months of this year totaled 269,243, a 9.3 percent improvement over January-August 1998 numbers.<\/p>\n
$24-M budget University of South Pacific<\/p>\n
SUVA, Fiji Islands—The University of the South Pacific Council has approved a budget of $24.49 million for next academic year.<\/p>\n
Vice Chancellor Esekia Solofa said this represents an 8 percent increase over the 1999 budget and is made possible by a 1.5 percent increase in grants from USP member governments.<\/p>\n
Solofa also confirmed a 10 percent increase in fees for on-campus students next year.<\/p>\n
American Samoa eyes $158-M spending package<\/p>\n
PAGO PAGO, American Samoa—Lawmakers will return to work Tuesday to consider the remaining $112 million of the $158 million fiscal year 2000 budget proposed by Governor Tauese Sunia.<\/p>\n
On September 30, Tauese slashed $46 million in expenditures to allow the government to operate during the October-December quarter, after the Legislature declined to approve the administration’s full budget proposal.<\/p>\n
The only alternative then, he said, was to shut down government operations.<\/p>\n
Corruption trial should be held in Tahiti<\/p>\n
PAPEETE, French Polynesia—Opposition leader Oscar Temaru has called for all citizens, including politicians, to have their court cases heard in Tahiti, not in Paris.<\/p>\n
The recommendation was made as the territory awaits the outcome of corruption charges against President Gaston Flosse. A Paris court has announced it will rule in the case within three weeks.<\/p>\n
Flosse and two associates are accused of accepting half a million dollars in bribes from a Chinese businessman in 1988 to permit establishment of gambling facilities near Papeete.<\/p>\n
Cook Islander is new Miss South Pacific<\/p>\n
RAROTONGA, Cook Islands—Liana Scott is the new Miss South Pacific.<\/p>\n
She was crowned in Nuku’alofa, Tonga recently after besting over 10 other contestants from around the Pacific to take the crown.<\/p>\n
Scott is a member of the Rarotonga dance group Orama.<\/p>\n
American Samoa will host next year’s Miss South Pacific pageant.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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