JEAN-MICHEL COUSTEAU FIJI ISLANDS RESORT WINSTWO WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS

VANUA LEVU, Fiji – Nov. 5, 2007 – Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort, a renowned luxury and ecotourism destination, announced today it was awarded “Fiji’s Leading Boutique Resort” and “Fiji’s Leading Suite” from the 2007 World Travel Awards at a ceremony held Nov. 2 in Bangalore, India. In this 14th annual tabulation of the World Travel Awards, 167,000 travel agencies and professionals worldwide voted for the best in all sectors of the global travel industry.

The resort comprises 25 individual bures overlooking the pristine waters of Savusavu Bay. Its marquee accommodation, the Villa, won the honor of “Fiji’s Leading Suite.” General Manager Karen Taylor, who co-manages the resort with her husband Greg, designed the Villa. It encompasses 2,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, including a master bedroom and sunken Jacuzzi, stone waterfall, private horizon-edge pool and garden, daybed pavilion, upper and lower deck, living room and kitchenette. Environmentally sensitive, the structure and furnishings feature local thatch, bamboo reeds and hardwood timbers. The decking is made of recycled materials. Karen has also led the redesign of the resort's interiors and exteriors, which have been transformed dramatically over the past few years.

“In keeping with the resort’s commitment to protecting the environmental and local community, the Villa was built in a sustainable manner. It showcases a fusion of modern and traditional Fijian design in the layout and materials used in the Villa. I am honored that my design has been recognized as “Fiji’s Leading Suite,”” said General Manager Karen Taylor.

“We are thrilled to accept two prestigious World Travel Awards from our colleagues in the travel industry,” said General Manager Greg Taylor. “This is our second award from the WTA. We received “Fiji’s Leading Resort” in 2005 and were nominated for the same designation in 2006. Our entire staff team has shown diligence in attention to the guest experience, and we thank them for maintaining the highest level of commitment.”

Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort draws couples, families, water enthusiasts and ecotravelers alike. Guests can indulge with a traditional Fijian massage treatment, dining under the stars by lantern light, private island escape or participate in one of the many complimentary activities such as kayaking, sailing, hiking in the rainforest or visiting the local Fijian village. Guests of the resort have access to one of the world's top dive operations, one dedicated to preserving the delicate reefs and their inhabitants. In addition, the resort boasts a resident marine biologist and an expansive array of complimentary activities, including the use of three freshwater swimming pools, snorkeling, kayaking, daily yoga, tennis, glass bottom boat tours and sailing. Fijian ecological tours and seminars are also complimentary and include reef walks, Coral City slide shows, mangrove tours, organic garden tours, star gazing, guided snorkeling trips with the marine biologist, various walks including the Medicine Walk, and a traditional Kava ceremony.

The resort is located on the island of Vanua Levu on a former 17-acre coconut plantation overlooking Savusavu Bay. Accommodations are 25 Fijian-style, thatched-roof bures set amongst elegant palm trees. Daily rates start at US$590 for a Gardenview Bure; US$755 for an Oceanfront Bure; US$935 for an Oceanfront two-bedroom bure or Oceanfront Suite; US$955 for a Point Reef Bure; US$1020 for the Honeymoon Bure with spa tub; and US$2400 for the resort’s marquee accommodation, the 2000-sq-ft Villa. Rates are based on double occupancy and include meals, nonalcoholic bottled beverages, and ground transfers to and from Savusavu Airport. Minimum stay is three nights. For information or reservations, contact the resort at 800-246-3454, via email at info@fijiresort.com or online at www.fijiresort.com.

About Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort
Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort, recognized as one of the top resorts in Fiji, is managed by Passport Resorts, renowned in the hospitality industry for its collection of internationally acclaimed, small, luxury destinations that are operated in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. The resort has received several major honors: it was ranked first on TripAdvisor’s 2007 “Top 10 Environmentally-Friendly Destinations” list worldwide, and it was first in Fiji on the Condé Nast Traveler 2006 Gold List. The resort was also chosen by Conde Nast Johansens as the “Most Excellent Resort” in the Atlantic, Caribbean and Pacific Islands in 2006 and received the #1 ranking in the world in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2005 Green List. Sister resorts include Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, Calif., and the Hotel Hāna-Maui, Maui, Hawaii. The Passport Resorts U.S. marketing and sales office is located at 921 Front Street, San Francisco.

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