Thursday, July 05, 2007

Fijians are dancing in Dubai!

from w
Okay, this is not about 'babasiga' and Macuata, but this news item does seem quirky - that anyone in Dubai would possibly want to go to the South Pacific for a holiday or buy Fiji bottled water for that matter! Dubai is a great shopping place and people want to go there! Hmmm. And who paid the fares of the Fiji dancers who will perform at the Heritage Surprises event?


Fiji takes Dubai Summer Surprises route to boost trade links


04 July 2007
Fiji is hoping to use a series of programmes at Dubai Summer Surprises to forge trade links with the UAE. A delegation led by the South Pacific republic's ministers of Commerce and Tourism will meet Dubai's business community at the Heritage Surprises event.

"Dubai is a magic word around the world, so being invited to take part in this promotion is a big boost for us," said Tourism Minister Bernadette Ganilau. "We are coming over with a dynamic group of young people to entertain shoppers and that should be an excellent start to spread awareness about Fiji in Dubai. The travel industry is excited about any potential link with Dubai and the UAE, so this trip means a lot to us.

"We're building bridges here, apart from marketing Fiji. We need new allies. We hope people in this part of the world will gain an insight into who we are and where we come from." Ganilau was in Dubai earlier this year to meet high-level travel industry officials.

"Our Minister of Commerce and Investment, Taito Waradi, is also coming over with a delegation for talks with investors and other interested parties," she added.

The visitors will meet representatives of the travel and tourism industry and Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

There will be meetings with bottled water distributors.

Also on the agenda are talks with stakeholders in the region's film community to discuss collaboration on staging a film festival in Fiji.

A troupe of 10 dancers will perform for a week at Dubai Festival City's Waterfront Centre from Thursday, while live demonstrations of the country's arts and crafts will be held at BurJuman during the same period.

By Keith J. Fernandez © Emirates Today 2007
Article originally published by Emirates Today 04-Jul-07

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Bula,

Could you please advise where the Fiji community are living in Dubai?It would be lovely meeting up with the Fijians.

Peceli and Wendy's Blog said...

That was a one-off trip to Dubai to publicise Fiji as a tourist destination or the value of Fiji water, etc. The dancers who went were students at FIT.
However there are a few Fijians in Dubai I believe e.g. nurses.
w.

Anonymous said...

thank you for the update... am from fiji and now residing in dubai with my husband and would be grateful if you have any contacts of any fijians in dubai and whether there is any fiji day gathering or community?
thanks again...

Peceli and Wendy's Blog said...

Sorry, don't know any contacts there. I presume there isn't a Fiji Embassy in Dubai?
w.

Anonymous said...

Where is Fiji Embassy located in the UAE? If there is no embassy, then where should I get a visa to enter Fiji? I would love to go there very soon. Anybody knows?

Peceli and Wendy's Blog said...

This website might be of help but the embassies seem far away fro Dubai!

http://www.fiji.gov.fj/publish/fiji_missions.shtml

w.

Anonymous said...

Bula,

Not sure if there is a community but would love to catch up with some Fijians if anyone is around

Cheers
Fijian Kiwi

Anonymous said...

there is no Fiji emabassy/consulate in the UAE.The closest embassy is in London.hope that helps

Unknown said...

THE CLOSEST FIJI EMBASSY FORM DUBAI IS IN NEW DELHI, INDIA. THANKS SOMEN

joye said...

Lots of European travel to Dubai every year,but my view is that Dubai is a lot of "Hype", if you have you been to the states then find that dubai is probably the most hyped up nation on the planet.

garry said...

Great article , very informative article about Fijians experience in Dubai,

Unknown said...

Dubai is a great shopping place and people want to go there.I am also planning a holiday trip to see the amazing Burj Dubai with the help of www.southalltravel.co.uk