Budget Rent-A-Car International has celebrated its 35th anniversary in Fiji.

Since coming to Fiji the company has become the destination’s largest car hire company and now boasts 11 rental outlets throughout the country, including major airport terminals and in Denarau . Budget is also a full service provider on Vanua Levu.

The company has recently introduced several new models into its fleet including Mazda2’s, Mazda3’s and Suzuki Altos.

Former President of Fiji Islands, the Tui Vuda, Ratu Josefa Iloiloivatu, has passed away in the nation's capital of Suva. He was 90 years old. The Tui Vuda retired as President in mid 2009 at the age of 88 after 9 years in office; he was the oldest head of state in the world. Born in Somosomo village on the island of Taveuni, the well-respected Fijian chief spent the latter part of his life at Viseisei Village near the First Landing Resort just north of Nadi.

The Reserve Bank of Fiji has launched its new Fiji coinage, to be in circulation from January 13 2009. The old coins will remain in circulation until 31st March 2009, after which they can be exchanged into the new legal tender only at the Reserve Bank of Fiji.

By dropping the former 1 cent and 2 cent coins, and changing the size, weight and metallic composition of the remaining coins (5 cent, 10 cent, 20 cent, 50 cent and $1), over FJ$8 million is saved.

Under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Fiji Government has approved for reactivation of Carbon Trading in the Fiji Islands. It will come into effect on Friday, 10th October, which is also Fiji Day. Acting interim Minister for Labour and Industrial Relations, Mr Filipe Bole, announced that new Carbon Trading regulations will be formulated to be submitted to Cabinet by the middle of 2009.

The Pearl Industry in Fiji Islands, notably J Hunter Pearls in Savusavu, is booming, with the pearls being sold to overseas markets. Justin Hunter, owner of J Hunter Pearls, announced that 90 per cent of pearls from his Savusavu farm were snapped up by Japanese buyers in Yokohama recently. The pearls from just the one farm contribute around FJ$5m annually to the Fiji Islands.

Visitors to Savusavu can take a guided tour of the pearl farm located in Savusavu Bay and shop for beautiful natural pearl jewellery at the Savusavu base. Popular Fiji resort destinations are found at Savusavu and include the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, Daku Resort, the exclusive Namale, and the honeymoon resort of Lomalagi. View details of the latest resort vacation packages.

The popular TV mega series - Survivor - airs in the USA from tomorrow February 8th with its new Survivor Fiji series.

Unlike many of the past Survivor series where the participants are stranded on white sandy beaches of idyllic beauty, this new series will present different challenges.

Don't miss the opening show!

Production of the popular TV series 'Survivor' will commence soon in a remote location in the interior of Labasa, main town of Fiji's second largest island, Vanua Levu in Fiji's 'friendly north'.

The Prime Minister of Fiji, Mr Laisenia Qarase, welcomed the arrival of the production crew, and the international recognition that the series will bring to Fiji when it airs next year. Mr Qarase also highlighted the economic benefits associated with hosting this world-renowned series, from direct income derived from local employment, purchase of goods and services, and lease monies, to indirect income resulting from the exposure of Fiji on the world stage. A total of around FJ$6 million was estimated.

Other side benefits would be gained from infrastructure built for the production that would remain once filming is complete, as well as the added marketing of Fiji's north as an adventure destination.

This is currently the hottest topic for fans of the hit TV reality series. In fact, speculation about where the next Survivor is to be filmed is, for some, more of an adventure than the show itself! Reports favour the northern islands of Fiji - in the region of Labasa ('lahm-bah-sa ')on Vanua Levu (Fiji's second largest island). Whether it is a small offshore beach location such as Nukuvadra island (nu-ku-vandra) or a steamy rainforest location on Vanua Levu island out of Labasa is yet to be revealed. Stay tuned!

Filming is reported to commence at the end of October 2006.

The Fiji Times has reported, that Survivor Fiji the top hit reality show will be filmed soon on Viti Levu.

The Fiji Government has appointed a new Secretary for the Hotel Licensing Board based in Suva. She is Finau Matavesi, who works as an Assistant Accounts Officer at the Ministry of Tourism in Suva. The new appointment came into effect on 1 August, 2006. For more information please contact Ms. Finau Matavesi on Tel: (679) 3312788, Fax: (