Lautoka is the second largest city in Fiji Islands (the capital of Suva being the first). Located about 24-25 kilometres north of Nadi International Airport it is a busy commercial centre. It is at the heart of the sugar industry in Fiji and is known as the Sugar City. When the cane is being cut, the mills in Lautoka witness an endless stream of trucks bringing their cut cane to be processed. >>>>> Read more about this interesting city of Lautoka Fiji.

Popular blog site Ezine Articles has listed the Fiji Islands third on its 2012 top five list of most desirable destinations to visit. Reasons provided were that not only does Fiji expertly offer accommodation from backpackers right through to luxury, but its people are among the friendliest in the world.

The 'Ezine Articles' listing is Osio (Norway), Carolinas (USA), Fiji, Tenerife (Canary Islands) and Ukraine.

Offering millions of iPad owners the opportunity to engage and immerse themselves within the Fiji Islands, ISLANDS and Destination Weddings & Honeymoons magazines and Tourism Fiji have launched an interactive travel guide for the iPad called "Destination Fiji."

The interactive guide is available as a free download for the iPad within both ISLANDS and Destination Weddings & Honeymoons apps. The app features photography, videos and stacks of resort, cruise and travel specialist profiles.

Links to each app for download in the I-tunes app store as follows:

ISLANDS: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/islands-magazine/id386308647?mt=8

DW&H: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/destination-weddings-honeymoons/id430341353?mt=8#

View more about Fiji Honeymoon destinations in Fiji!

Fiji has been ranked the 12th friendliest country in the world, according to a survey recently undertaken by US-based Forbes magazine. Fiji was the only South Pacific Island country in the top rankings underlining its stance as the most favoured tourist destination in the region.

Find the latest Fiji holiday packages and last minute travel deals.

Fiji delivers a very genuine, friendly and undemanding level of hospitality - a commodity becoming increasingly scarce in the populated cities of the world. It is a great vacation spot for those looking at escaping the current economic stresses. Escape from the hectic pace and find your Fiji accommodation with links to the latest travel deals.

The Fiji Government has increased its tourism industry funds allocation for 2009 by almost 100%, with the Budget for 2009 showing FJ$23.5million against only FJ$12 million. This will allow increased marketing of Fiji to the global tourist market.

Tourism is Fiji's largest export industry and therefore a very important part of the nation's economy. Find travel accommodation for Fiji Islands.

Blue Banana Beach Houses in Tonga recently opened its new accomodation - 'The Tree House'. It is situated directly over the ocean among the trees with incredible views of the tropical lagoon. The beach is wonderful for swimming and snorkeling. Fully self contained. Your own bathroom with hot shower. Sounds a tantalising way to spend a holiday in the South Pacific.

The tourism industry in Fiji continuously monitors the way resort and hotel bookings are made. Based on 2005 stats, approximately 67% of total accommodation bookings in Fiji were made through travel agents, but this number is rapidly decreasing due to increased use of online booking processes. This is particularly helped by the fact that most airlines nowadays offer real-time online booking of airline tickets.

Surprisingly, given the proximity of Australia to Fiji, Australians in Fiji's 2005 stats depended on travel agents the most (73%), whilst UK residents had the highest percentage in using the Internet with 22%. Approximately 21% of backpackers booked their accommodation through the Internet, giving rise to the term 'flashpacker' in recent years as many backpackers these days travel with laptops rather than guitars! In 2005, repeat visitors were less likely to book their accommodation through travel agents or the Internet. They preferred to make their bookings direct with the destination, use booking services in their own country or no bookings at all.

In 2005, more than half of Fiji's visitors decided to travel to Fiji more than 12 weeks in advance. With an increasing number of last minute deals offered online three years later, it will be interesting to review the next stats available and see how the trends are changing.

The 6th edition of Moon Tahiti and French Polynesia is now on sale. For anyone planning to visit Tahiti or any one of French Polynesia's beautiful atolls, this guide by accomplished travel author David Stanley is a must-buy. With countless detailed maps, drawings, glossaries, useful tips and travel advice, one can gain useful and up-to-date information on this top South Pacific destination.

More details about the book can be found at here.

Resorts and dive operations, plus more information can be found via the Tahiti Resorts link.

So what is a FLASHPACKER you ask? Well, various studies have investigated recent tourism trends and have seen a new surge in travellers/holiday makers looking for a more authentic experience. These 'new backpackers' are older, wealthier and wanting "a space that combines luxury, so they have a comfortable life, but they are able to see something that is fresh, un-spoilt and private". This concept is further explored by trade journal Travel Trade Gazette: "More and more people in their late 20's and early 30's are taking career breaks to go travelling. With higher expectations and more money to spend, they have been dubbed 'flashpackers'.

One of the latest trendy resorts in Fiji - Mango Bay Resort. - defines a 'flashpacker' as a 'business class backpacker', a traveller that chooses to bust the budget and go backpacking in style. Mango Bay Resort has catered specifically to this niche market and has tailored the resort to it's guests unique needs, wants and tastes.

For more information or to contact Mango Bay Resort direct, click here.