Flight Centre NZ Shares Success With Fiji Schools

MEDIA RELEASE
26 May 2009

Flight Centre New Zealand Shares Success With Fijian Schools In Need

New Zealand’s largest travel retailer, Flight Centre, has extended a hand to its neighbours in the Pacific by donating FJD $60,000 to schools in Fiji affected by the disastrous flooding that happened earlier this year.

Marie Pilkington, spokesperson for Flight Centre New Zealand, said the company was moved by the devastation that occurred and wanted to do something to help.

“Earlier this year we had our most successful travel expos to date with record number of Kiwis visiting our expos in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. We decided to auction off a range of flights and holiday packages with reserves set well below market rates in order to raise money to help the people of Fiji.

“These auctions exceeded our expectations entirely. The New Zealand public was able to buy some fantastic holiday deals and the total amount raised reached FJD$60,000,” Ms Pilkington said.

Flight Centre worked closely with Tourism Fiji to choose three schools around Fiji that were worst affected by the floods and Andrews Primary School, Nadi College and Ratu Nuvula School’s were selected.

In the cases of these three schools, the flood waters rose so high many school books, equipment and buildings were destroyed and have not been able to be rebuilt since.

Tourism Fiji chief executive officer, Jo Tuamoto, was grateful for the support Flight Centre New Zealand was able to provide.

“This year has been difficult for the people of Fiji after the floods, and it is heart-warming to see the generosity shown by Flight Centre to our country,” Mr Tuamoto said.

Andrew Stark, general manger product for Flight Centre New Zealand presented the schools representatives with individual cheques for FJD$20,000 each while in Fiji for the national Flight Centre team leader conference on Saturday 23 May 2009.

ENDS

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