International Access to Fiji
Fiji is also referred to as the hub of the pacific in particular its location to Australia and New Zealand and the rest of the pacific islands. Fiji has excellent international air and maritime transportation. Direct flights are available from and to Japan, United States, Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Tonga and other islands of the South Pacific. The Koro Island Airport is only 30 minutes by air from Fiji's Nadi International Airport. The inter island ferry sails to Koro Island twice a week from Suva enroute to Savusavu and Taveuni.
Location
Koro Island is in the district of Cawa, province of Lomaiviti, Fiji Islands. 179' Longitude East and 17' Latitude South. Koro Island's location was earlier plotted by Captain Bligh in 1789, he wrote, "the island of Koro is of good height, it is easternmost of the islands I discovered and passed and recorded in my log book on May 6, 1789, on the Bounty Launch". Ironically, he discovered Koro Island plus other islands in the Fiji Group while being chased by the natives in their double canoes following the mutiny of the Bounty.
History of Koro Island
Background History
Nabukete was a former copra-producing estate leased and managed by Burns Philip South Seas Company Limited in the 1930's during the height of the copra era. Similar large landholdings in Fiji were acquired and managed privately by European settlers predominantly in the north and east as copra-plantations. Now given the decline in demand on copra, most owners are opting to sell either piece meal to foreign buyers or redeveloping for resort and other related residential usage.
Koro Island has a rich history, discovered by Captain Bligh in 1789 following the Bounty mutiny and again temporarily occupied by the American Navy in World War II and served as a training ground. The sheltered bay (Vatumatau Bay) and deep waters served ideally for warships and numerous exercises the navy carried out in preparation for the Japanese invasion in the pacific.
The adjacent property "Matana" is owned by famous American actor/personality, Clint Eastwood. The property is one of the few freehold estates on Koro Island and potentially could be developed into hotel/resort and or exclusive upmarket residential estates. Approved schematic subdivision plans held indicate significant monetary returns should the property be developed.
Nearby world class Wakaya Island Resort has a similar concept with private residential home sites commanding in excess of USD$500,000 for a two acre lot. Tourism is one of Fiji's major income earners and the government places a lot of emphasis and incentives to foreign investors. Fiji already has many world class hotel/resorts but will need more to cope with the expected increase in visitor arrivals as forecasted by the Fiji Islands Visitors Bureau.
The friendly nature of the Fijian people and the sheer relaxing atmosphere free of terrorism, hustle and bustle of city life, stress and many associated problems of the Western way of life has given Fiji the safest and popular place to holiday. Fiji has an English speaking population, well developed financial sector, sophisticated telecommunication links (internal and external) and good infrastructure conducive to investors.
• Only 9% of land in Fiji is freehold with the remaining 91% held in trust for the native Fijian people. |
