Dave Pflieger Helps to Promote Tourism Fiji

Dave Pflieger, the Chief Executive Officer of Air Pacific, recently praised Fiji for its “stunning” beauty and the friendliness of its people. Pflieger, who also serves as Chairman of Tourism Fiji, plans to rebrand the island nation’s national airline as Fiji Airways during the spring of 2013. Tourism Fiji recently launched an international marketing campaign built around the slogan, “Fiji: Where Happiness Finds You.” The tourism board feels that this statement sums up the essence of Fiji’s appeal to travelers who are seeking a beautiful, relaxing, and exotic vacation destination.

In 2013, Tourism Fiji plans to focus its efforts on attracting more people on honeymoons, traveling with family, or seeking luxury destinations. The group has launched a tour of India to attract new business from the subcontinent, where Fiji has been growing in popularity after being featured in several successful Bollywood films. The country’s tourism industry recovered quickly after a recent cyclone, with many resorts using the disaster as an opportunity to improve and upgrade their facilities. Tourism Fiji hopes to attract 1 million annual visitors by 2016.

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Virgin America Leads the U.S. Airline Industry in Green Practices By Dave Pflieger

The airline industry is well known for being a heavy producer of greenhouse gasses – aviation accounts for two percent of greenhouse gas production worldwide. However, the relatively new U.S. carrier Virgin America has been ranked by Greenopia as the greenest domestic airline due to its fuel conservation, recycling programs, and other green practices.

Virgin America’s relatively new fleet of airplanes aids in its fuel efficiency, but the airline also makes a conscious effort to equip their aircraft with the best in fuel efficient technology and employs fuel-saving practices like single-engine taxiing and reduced thrust takeoffs. Virgin America also leads in green building efforts. For example, their headquarters are LEED Silver Certified, a designation for green building developed by the U.S. Green Building Council.

In addition, Virgin America was one of the first U.S. airlines to make public it’s greenhouse gas emissions, and the Virgin parent company has pioneered the practice of offering carbon offset programs to customers.

About the author: Dave Pflieger is the CEO and Managing Director of Air Pacific, Ltd., Fiji’s national airline. An experienced airline executive who served as Senior Vice President at Virgin America, Mr. Pflieger is also an attorney and former military pilot and flight instructor.

Virgin Atlantic’s Carbon Calculator Helps Travelers Understand the Impact of Air Travel, By Dave Pflieger

Air travel is a highly intensive creator of greenhouse gasses. With 2-3% of the world’s greenhouse-gas emissions produced by commercial aircraft, taking a flight has an impact on the environment. Virgin Atlantic was one of the first airlines to publish their greenhouse gas emissions and is working to help reduce greenhouse emissions through greener practices as well as through offsetting carbon emissions.

With the Virgin Atlantic’s Carbon Calculator, found at http://www.virginatlantic.myclimate.org, travelers can calculate the amount of carbon needed to offset their travel. For example a round trip economy flight from New York City to Los Angeles would cost about $16 to offset. Those dollars would help to reduce or remove the carbon emitted from the flight so there is no net gain in greenhouse gasses.

Virgin Atlantic aims to be transparent about the carbon impact of their flights, as well as to partner with organizations that find innovative solutions to climate change.

About the Author: Currently the CEO and Managing Director of Air Pacific, Ltd., Dave Pflieger has served as Senior Vice President at Virgin America, where he also served as a pilot. David Pflieger trained as a pilot and an attorney, he has experience both as general counsel and as a pilot and flight instructor.

Fiji’s Varied Inland Attractions: A Brief Overview By David Pflieger

In addition to the marine activities for which Fiji is renowned internationally, the country offers numerous inland pursuits for visitors. River and coastal sea kayaking are popular activities, as is whitewater rafting in the interior of the country’s main island, Viti Levu. This island’s Wainikoroiluva River and scenic Upper Navua Gorge are characterized by Class II and III whitewater rapids that offer a challenging yet comfortable course for novices and experienced rafters alike. Cultural attractions are also a major part of Fiji’s appeal. The islands of Denarau, Sigatoka, and Nadi offer distinct and varied artwork and handicrafts. Island marketplaces are ideal for obtaining great deals on wood carvings, exquisitely crafted jewelry, and ornamental tanoa bowls for kava. Food lovers have an abundance of tropical fruits, vegetables, and pungent Indian spices from which to choose.

About the Author

As Chairman of Tourism Fiji, David Pflieger oversees campaigns that seek to highlight visitor entertainments in the island nation. He is also the CEO of Air Pacific, Ltd., which is soon to be rebranded as Fiji Airways.