Proud to be locally owned and operated. Newsletter update from the Desk of Graeme Back – Group General Manager Bula to our New Zealand Family members - It has been a couple of months since I updated you on our news and happenings at our special Island. - We have been reasonably busy over August and September and I was delighted with the response to our special returnee quest offer for this period. Thank you; our teams were proud and excited to have hosted so many returnees and look forward to seeing you all again very soon. Product Improvements
I am very pleased to advise that we have almost finished retiling our Restaurant and bar area; and you can see from the image of everyone dining outdoors how lucky we were with the weather. The area has become fresh and smart, and with this update we have also committed to new chairs inside and out. Within the next month this whole area will have had a new lease of life. We have a couple other projects underway that we hope will continue to improve our service to you our customers. Special Story
Our most Regular customers Ray and Judy Garrat were welcomed to our home for their 81st visit. The Board of Directors of Treasure Island Limited were humbled by this milestone and delighted to host Ray and Judy as our way of saying thank you for such tremendous support over 34 years of visit to Treasure Island. Our team welcomed Ray and Judy in a traditional way and although the company had recognized this special event already, the staff wanted to also acknowledge their wonderful support and friendship over many many years. We look forward to welcoming Ray and Judy back for many years to come. Returnee Promotions As you can see our returnees are special to the island, so we have completed our returnee Rates for our regular customers for 2008/2009. We will also have specials throughout the year to ensure that our home can become your home for a "value for money: extended break:- we treasure our returnees and like to see you back. With this in mind here is our special offer for Returnees from 1st November 2007 through to 1st December 2007. Based on New Rates for length: - 2 to 10 stays previously: FJD$350.00 per night (min 3 nights). Includes Breakfast/Dinner Daily for 2 adults. Children Daily – to FJD (Appro. 8.00 NZD per day). - 10 stays+ previously: FJD$300 per night (min 3 nights) Includes Accom. And 2 meals daily Breakfast/Dinner or Lunch/Dinner. Great deals at a great time of the year! To reserve this special November promotion you can contact Maxine Johnson on maxine@treasure.com.fj. Phone 0067-9-6666999, Skype treasurereservations, or see your local Travel Agent to reserve your space now. Please do not forget our evening or early morning transfer service from the airport to Treasure Island by shuttle service and fully certified vessel that takes 30 minutes from Vuda Marina to Treasure Island daily. Christmas and New Year It is only 108 Days to Christmas. Please remember to book your space soon to join our family in celebration for both Christmas and New Years Eve. Our Staff
Maxine Johnson – Our Reservations Supervisor has been with our company now for more than seven years, and many of you have emailed her or spoken to her on the phone. Here she answers some questions we dropped off to her. (1) How long working for Treasure Island? Since January 2000 – I was first employed as the Personal Assistance to the Executive Chairman, Mr Bruce Carran. In 2003, I still recall our Director of Sales & Marketing at that time, Peter Jarmer, who had resigned to return to Australia, recommending that I join the Marketing Team. Mr Carran agreed to it, since his health was deteriorating. I have not regretted that move (2) Usual day? Begins at around 7.30am from Mondays to Fridays, though work starts at 0800hrs. I look forward to coming to work daily and my first move is checking to see the number of emails that have come through since the previous afternoon. I would browse through the emails and firstly attend to the urgent ones and would easily pick-out familiar names of returnees with queries or special requests and would always react with delight in responding to them. As the years have gone by, I have also made close contacts with staff of most Whosalers, locally and abroad, and also look forward to responding to their emails, as well. Most of my time is spent on emails and on our Reservation System, Guest Centrix. In one day, I would receive a minimum of about 100 emails and this is normal for me. There are various types of requests that come through on email, apart from bookings, cancellations and amendments, & I would try my very best to answer all enquiries. (3) Funniest request? Client requesting for romantic candle-lit dinner inside the chapel (4) Strangest request? (not necessarily catered for -gm!) - Due to a child’s allergy to nuts, we were required to confirm that there were no nuts being served in the restaurant at all or around the island. The environment had to be nut-free. - Client requesting Treasure to guarantee that they will see turtles come out of the water to surface for air - Request if topless or G-String is okay away from the main beach area (5) Why book Treasure Island? Treasure Island depicts the Fiji Islands. Turquoise crystal blue waters, white sandy beaches with fringed coconut palms and azure lagoon with rich marine life. We also have fantastic staff that makes your stay memorable with genuine smiles and helping hands. (6) Commandment to replying to queries within 24 hours I strive to respond to all emails within 24 hours because we value all emails that come our way. Our philosophy is that we respond to all emails in a timely manner and the chances of converting enquiries to actual bookings are high. (7) Your view on Fiji? Despite the current political impasse between Frank Bainimarama and Australia/New Zealand, Fiji will always be the better place to come to. It is still the best holiday destination and will always remain the best holiday destination. In actual fact, there are NO PROBLEMS in Fiji and clients are guaranteed a peaceful holiday (8) Your view on future? We have a bright future ahead of us. And as the political climate improves, more and more tourist will continue to visit Treasure Island. I see there will be a paradigm shift from clients booking through Wholesalers & Travel Agents to clients booking direct Our Environment Fiji Islands has experienced an epidemic breakout of crown of thorns over the last 12 months. While we live on coral cay and regretfully become a major target for there pest. We decided earlier this year we seek expert advice in conjunction with South Sea Cruises to determine to what extent or marine environment was affected and actions to eradiate from the information received, we have 3 full time Divers working daily on keeping our house reefs for both Treasure and Bounty Islands protected from these destructive predators. Our house reef, marine life has looked so good. Come and see for yourself! Fiji Swims 2007 Treasure Island had the privilege again this year of being involved in the Fiji Swims. This series of events ranging from the 18km swim to the very social "Beach to Bar" and including the 1000m Treasure to Beachcomber swim not only includes incredible Olympic level swimmers, but also raises money towards improving the level of swimming for Fijians. Its a great time to be at Treasure, so watch out for the dates for next year.
Our Food Experience Brad Shennan or Director of Operations has been working with our Kitchen Team to put more emphasis or local produce. His thoughts are as follows:
F & B Experiences The beginning of many positive changes to dining experiences at Treasure may have started small but an absolute ground swell of approval from return guests has shown we are on the right path with the upgrades to the restaurant. Returnees will notice a new look for the Bar and Dining areas that will be fully completed in late October. New tiles and dance floor are just the start. On top of that, the new wine list show casing the a " best of " selection from Australia and New Zealand is being supplemented by a “Wine of the Month Promotion” offering wines from around the world. Now we really have something to satisfy all tastes. A new A La Carte menu is also in the planning with a scheduled release aimed at coinciding with the completion of the renovations will aim to showcase the talents of our kitchen team specializing in fusing local ingredients such as Palm Heart and Papaya Flower with western and Asian fare. All in all, a very exciting time for us all at Treasure and one which we look forward to sharing with you all soon. Prize Winners Treasure Island Resort in conjunction with Classic Hits and Calder and Lawson House of Travel in Hamilton ran a very successful “Treasure Hunt” over the month of July and August, causing quite a stir in the Waikato region of New Zealand. The items started with the "not so hard" to find, but quickly got more difficult, including hairs off local identities, and a photo of the contestant with a current NZ mayor! One of the items required was a smurf toy, and one entrepreneur even placed some on trademe where they attracted much interest. Meg, myself and the kids were in New Zealand on holiday at the time and extended up in Hamilton on the day of the draw. Despite the challenges of the "Treasure" hunt were over 50 families vying for the prize of Flights/Accommodation/Meals for 5 nights for a family of four. In the end we had to pick the winner from the hat and a guest that had stayed with us 3 years ago won. Well done to Roger Taylor and family, we look forward to seeing you at Christmas time.
We would like to thank Classic Hits and Mark Bunting of Hamilton, and Calder and Lawson House of Travel for providing the airfares. It was a lot of fun and we look forward in doing this again next year. Summary Well, another very busy 2 months has flown by, I hope the newsletter is informative and keeps you up to date with our happenings. We do look forward to seeing you again soon! Kind Regards
......................... Graeme Back Group General Manager Treasure Island Limited
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