Exotic Tropical Islands Of The South Pacific

With long haul travel no longer such an attractive option for Australian and New Zealand residents, due to the world financial crisis, it is time to turn and take a birds-eye view of the largely under-sung tropical island South Pacific nations, as the adventure travel destination of 2009. Each tropical island has its own individual and particular attraction, but a quick overview may assist the discerning traveler to make a well balanced travel {{{decision |choice}}.

1.Papua New Guinea still appears to have a 6 – 7% economic growth despite I in spite of the world l financial crisis.

2.Solomon Islands has one of the largest population growth records in the area, plus the highest economic growth of over 10% in 2007. It {{{appears |is}} well placed to continue this trend into 2009.

3.The Asian Development Bank is {{{forecasting } forecasting |predicting}}} a slowdown in growth for Vanuatu for 2009, though tourism is prospering , because of the greatly increased air services from from Air New Zealand, Solomon Airlines, Pacific Blue, Air Pacific and Air Vanuatu. It is reported that tax-haven countries appear to be more able to withstand the {{[world |global}}} financial crisis.

4.Fiji, under the leadership of military strongman and coup leader Commodore Frank Bainimarama could be in for a stormy 2009 with the threat of an election. Bainimarama, with his military-led regime is fervently determined to break the country’s coup mentality , with an urgent driving force to {{[alter |change}}} the country’s election laws. 5.Samoa is the only South Pacific nation that is not grappling with poor leadership, corruption and instability, under the eleven year leader, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi. Though vastly unpopular, the Prime Minister has pulled off the unpopular decision to change the road code from driving on the right, to driving on the left. Almost single-handedly Tuilaepa pushed the alteration through parliament.

6.The Cook Islands use New Zealand currency, so may not be as protected from the world financial crisis as other South Pacific nations. The sudden rise in tourism may be the Cook Island’s means of salvation.

7.Due to Niue’s extreme cash flow problem, New Zealand advanced $1 million for jet fuel, to ferry participants to the annual Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Niue, in August 2008. The need for this never happened and now Niue has to find a way of how to get rid of a million dollars worth of jet fuel.

8.Australia is still committed to rescuing Nauru, after many years of financial neglect, from bankruptcy, investing around Au$1000 per capita annually into the tiny nation. Fiji is promising to sign a regional air-services agreement with Nauru’s Our Airline, may assist the tiny tropical island nation.

9.Tuvalu, using the Australian dollar as currency, may find itself more exposed to the financial world crisis than some of its neighbours. Finally it appears Apisai Ielemia appears to be the {{[exemption |exception}}} to the continuing dismissal of prime ministers through no confidence votes. Ielemia has managed to remain unchallenged since taking office in August 14, 2006. The tiny nation of Tuvalu has played a prominent role in climate change talks, through Australian-based Dr Ian Fry.

10.Asian Development Bank and international donors are deeply anxious about the financial status of Kiribati, with its constant draw-downs from the country’s reserve funds, which are invested offshore. A more cautious approach by the government, toward spending, is urgently required. The country’s deteriorating infrastructure and overcrowding in urban developments, are Kiribati’s other major problems.

11.French Polynesia has experienced 8 governments in the last four years. Gaston Tong Sang is scrambling to keep power, with only a one seat majority . Tourism could be in for a large decrease through the world economy in shreds .

12.New Caledonia’s economy has achieved a huge and much needed injection {{{because of } because of |through}}} the new US$4 billion Koniambo nickel mine. There are whispers that the seat of power could soon be moved from Paris to Noumea.

13.One of the smallest nations, with its two kings as co-rulers , Wallis and Futuna will notice very little alteration in 2009.

14.Guam has seen the relocation of the US military base from Okinawa, Japan, to this South Pacific tropical island. Around 8000 troops are to be stationed there. Infrastructure alone is estimated to cost US$15 billion, reaching into the next decade, in a joint venture between the Japanese and United States governments. However the {{{world |global downturn appears to have slowed down this process.

15.Northern Marianas is facing the possibility of an erosion of 44% to its GDP according to a recent study. The status of 10,000 Filipino workers could possibly be affected by the alterations to the immigration system. Because of the recessional trends in both Japan and South Korea, tourist numbers are expected to fall.

16.If Palau loses its US$70 million aid the country will not have the ability to meet its 2009 budget . This combined with the down turn in Japanese tourists, could make Palau create with its own financial strategies.

17.The Marshall Islands had hoped for some spin off from the US military base in Guam. However this may be forced to be put on hold. Environmental and overcrowding issues remain the major problems.

So you have seventeen exotic, exciting and very individual holiday destinations right on your doorstep. Perhaps 2009 is your year of discovering the wonders of the South Pacific.

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