The 2007 Hobie Worlds committee has appointed ATS Pacific as its ground operator. All enquiries for accommodation, domestic travel, rental car, and Fiji holidays should be made through them. Visit ATS Pacific at www.atspacific.com/fiji or contact them by email.

General information on what you can expect in Fiji has been provided below.

Accommodation Competitors and other participants in the 2007 Worlds will be able to chose from a wide selection of accommodation to suit both needs (individual, family etc.) and budget during the event as well as for holidays before and after the 2007 Hobie Worlds.

Fiji is known worldwide as a highly desirable tourist destination and accommodation ranges from very affordable (but still high-quality) back-packer lodgings to exotic 5-star luxury boutique resorts. You can expect to pay anywhere between US$35 (Eur28) to US$250 (Eur198) per night twin share.

Travel Fiji is well serviced by a number of international carriers as well as Air Pacific, our national airline. Two international airports have regular direct air services to and from Australia, New Zealand, United States of America, Canada, Japan and South Korea. Travelers from the rest of the world will generally transit through one of these countries.

Travel time from New Zealand is 3 hours; from Australia 4 hours; and from the United States west coast is 10 hours. European travelers can expect travel times ranging from 20 to 24 hours dependent on whether they come in from the east or west.

Immigration Most countries do not require pre-entry visas to Fiji. Visitors are normally given 4 months stay initially on arrival which can be further extended by two months provided they arrive with passports valid for not less than six months and properly visaed for other countries where necessary, and have return or onwards tickets and sufficient funds for their stay in the country.

A few countries require pre-entry visas an application for which can be lodged at any of the Fiji missions overseas or directly with the immigration department. Arrangements will be made by the Organizing Committee to facilitate this.

Language Fiji is an english speaking country.

Getting Around Fiji has a wide range of transportation options for visitors - buses, rental cars, mini buses and taxis. All competitors and officials participating in the 2007 Worlds will be able to utilise an efficient, safe and regular shuttle bus service between their accommodation and the regatta venue.

Medical Requirements Fiji is a healthy country and is free from malaria and other major tropical diseases that are endemic to most tropical countries. Apart from routine vaccinations no special health certificates or vaccinations are required to enter the country.

Climate Fiji enjoys an ideal South Sea tropical climate, with trade winds from the south east bringing year long cooling breezes. Maximum summer temperatures average 31˚C (88˚F), with the winter average not far different at 29˚C (84˚F). Rain can be expected at any time of year. The driest months are April, May, June and October.

Clothing Dress is casual and informal throughout the islands and visitors should bring a light tropical wardrobe including golf shirts, shortsleeve shirts, T-shirts, shorts and slacks for the evenings. For women, summer dresses and lightweight skirts, slacks and blouses. The wraparound "sulu" (like a sarong) is Fiji's most distinctive form of dress for both women and men.

Power and Water Power in Fiji is all 240 volt AC. The reticulated water supply is the major towns and cities has been treated and is safe to drink from the tap. It even tastes good!

Telecommunications Fiji has an excellent digital domestic and international telecommunications network. All major towns have digital telephone exchanges and the islands are linked by cable and satellite to world-wide networks. Direct dial international phone, fax and email and broadband services are readily available across the country and most areas of the main islands are covered by a GSM mobile (cellular) telephone service that supports international roaming.

Money There are 100 cents to the Fiji Dollar. Exchange rates at the time of writing were AU$1 = FJ$1.30; US$1 = FJ$1.72 and Eur1 = F$2.18.

Is tipping required? No. Actually, tipping is not encouraged in Fiji and it is left to the individual whether to make a gratuity. In lieu of daily tipping, some resorts operate a staff Christmas fund where "tips" are shared.