Tropical Islands of the South Pacific Overview

With long haul travel no longer such an attractive option for Australian and New Zealand residents, it is time to turn and take a birds-eye look at the largely overlooked South Pacific nations, as the adventure travel destinations of 2009. Each tropical island nation has its own individual and particular attraction, but a quick overview of the potential for each nation in 2009, may help the discerning traveler come to a travel decision.

1. Despite the financial crisis of the world, Papua New Guinea would still appear to have a 6 – 7% economic growth in 2009.

2. The Solomon Islands has the largest population growth, but it also had the highest economic growth of over 10% in 2007. It appears to be strongly placed to continue this into 2009.

3. The Asian Development Bank is predicts a slowing down in growth for Vanuatu for 2009, but tourism is booming. This is due to the vastly increased air services from Air New Zealand, Solomon Airlines, Pacific Blue, Air Pacific and Air Vanuatu. It is reported that countries offering tax-haven benefits appear to be able to better withstand the global financial crisis.

4. Fiji, under the coup leader Commodore Frank Bainimaram, a military strongman, could see a tempestous 2009 with the threat of an election. Bainimarama, with his military-style regime is single-mindedly determined to crush the country's coup mentality, with an urgent driving force to alter the election laws of the nation, before the voters go to the polls.

5. Samoa is the one nation of the South Pacific that is not struggling with poor leadership, instability and corruption, under the 11 year old leadership of Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi. Though extremely unpopular, the Prime Minister has pulled off the decision to change the road code from driving on the right, to driving on the left. It was almost single-handedly that Tuilaepa pressed the changes through parliament.

6. The Cook Islands, using New Zealand currency, will find itself not as protected from the global financial crisis as other South Pacific nations. The huge increase in tourism may be the Cook Island's only salvation.

7. Due to Niue's dire cash flow troubles, New Zealand advanced $1 million for jet fuel, so as to commute participants to the annual Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Niue, in August 2008. However, the need for this never arose and now Niue has the embarrassment of trying to get rid of a million dollars worth of jet fuel.

8. Australia is still bent on trying to rescue Nauru from bankruptcy. Nauru is a nation which has had many years of financial neglect. Australia is investing approximately Au$1000 per capita each year into the island nation. Fiji may come to its assistance through promising to sign a regional air-services agreement with Nauru’s Our Airline.

9. Tuvalu, uses the Australian dollar as its currency, so it may find itself more exposed to the world financial crisis than some of its neighbours. It would seem that Apisai Ielemia might prove to be the exception to the constant demand to remove prime ministers by votes of no confidence. Ielemia has managed to remain unchallenged since stepping into office in August 14, 2006. Tuvalu has also been a major player in climate change talks, through Australian-based Dr Ian Fry.

10. Asian Development Bank and international donors are now highly concerned over Kiribati's financial status, with its ever persistent draw-downs from the country's offshore invested reserve funds. The government needs to urgently adopt a more cautious attitude to its spending. The country's deteriorating infrastructure and overcrowding in urban developments, are Kiribati's other major problems.

11. French Polynesia has experienced a total of 8 governments in power over the past 4 years. Gaston Tong Sang is scrambling to keep power, with just a one seat majority. Tourism is expected to plummet due to the global economy being in tatters.

12. New Caledonia's economy has received a huge welcome uplift through the new US$4 billion Koniambo nickel mine. There are murmurings though that the seat of power could soon be transferred from Paris to Noumea.

13. Wallis and Futuna, one of the smallest nations, with its two kings as co-rulers, is expected to experience hardly any change in 2009.

14. Guam has seen the relocation of the US military base from Okinawa, Japan, to this South Pacific tropical island. There will be some 8000 troops stationed there. Infrastructure alone is estimated to cost US$15 billion, though this will be stretched across the next decade. This is a joint venture between the Japanese and United States governments. However because of the global downturn it appears the project could be extended longer than first anticipated.

15. Northern Marianas are facing the possibility it economy being corroded by up to 44%, according to a recent study. With10,000 Filipino workers servicing many sectors of the community, their status may be in jeopardy with the changes to the immigration regulations. Recession trends in both Japan and South Korea, may cause tourist numbers to fall.

16. If Palau loses its US$70 million aid the country will have great difficulty meeting its budget in 2009. Combining this with the down turn in Japanese tourists, Palau could be forced to create its own financial strategies.

17. The Marshall Islands had hoped for some flow on from the US military base in Guam. This may not happen as quickly as everyone had hoped for. Environmental and overcrowding issues remain the major problems of the nation.

Now you have seventeen exotic, exciting and very individual holiday destinations right on your doorstep. Perhaps 2009 is your once in a lifetime Blue Moon Opportunity year of discovering the wonders of the South Pacific.