An upcoming rally is expected to boost maritime tourism for Savusavu Town.
The Island Cruising and Down Under Rally event, Pacific Rally 2024, is set to begin this week.
Since organising the Pacific Rally in the 1980s, Island Cruising has assisted hundreds of cruisers in realising their aspirations to go sailing.
Owner Viki Moore is an enthusiastic sailor and a certified Offshore Yachtmaster.
She also bought the Down Under Rally in 2023, which is headquartered in Australia.
She merged the two races – Island Cruising and Down Under Rally – to create the Pacific Rally which is one of the biggest boat rallies in the world.
“We are thrilled to have such an incredible turnout of the rally this season,” Ms Moore said.
There are over 100 vessels registered from all over the Pacific taking part in the annual sailing event.
Pre-departure activities for the rally have been held in the Bay of Islands Marina in Opua over the past several weeks, and last week they were held at the Boat Works on the Gold Coast of Australia.
The smallest vessel is 10m and the largest is a 32m superyacht.
Savusavu Chamber of Commerce President Ravi Chagganlal acknowledged that such events generate wide economic activity, which is a benefit not only to Savusavu, but for the whole of Vanua Levu.
“For sure this will boost our maritime tourism, especially for the locals, they would be able to sell their artefacts and things like that,” Mr Chagganlal said.
“We look forward to more activities like this to be invested for Savusavu.”
In addition to promoting a feeling of community among participants, the rally allows boat owners to combine freedom with safety and adventure, as well as to visit the islands of Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia.
They have the option of continuing on their own or participating in the events that are arranged along the route.
Upon the conclusion of the season, they have the option to go back to Australia or New Zealand, remain in the tropics, or extend their journey northward to Asia.
The rally will conclude this November.
Feedback: jone.salusalu@fijisun.com.fj