Tourism ProFellows 2020 Cohort

The 2020 Cohort of the Pacific Islands Tourism Professional Fellows Program unfortunately had their in-person programming postponed due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. This group of 32 Fellows from 9 countries were engaged virtually with the East-West Center from late 2020-2021, and traveled to the United States in 2022. Congratulations to the following Fellows selected for the program.

Fiji

Patricia Bibi, Research Associate, Pacific Island Farmers Organisation Network    
Melissa Natawake, Business Events/MICE Manager, Tourism Fiji
Mereoni Rakuro, International Visitaion Program (Famils)  Cordinator, Tourism Fiji    
Mohammed Ali, Pacific Tourism Organisation, Sustainable Tourism Officer    
Alvin Prasad, Human Resources and Training Manager, Holiday Inn Suva
Ratu Nailatikau, Acting Hotels Operations Manager, Yatu Lau Company Limited
Vasiti Waqaniburotukula, Customer Service Trainer, Fiji Airways

Kiribati

Maitiote Roubena, Triple Tee Enterprises, General Manager
Kini Raicebe, Sales & Marketing Manager, Vodafone Kiribati

Micronesia

Gibon Jose, KVB Tour Specialist, Kosrae Visitor Bureau, Kosrae State Government    

Papua New Guinea

Steven Asilala, Managing Director, Korofeigu Organic Coffee Producers
Peter Imbal, Head of Tourism & Hospitality Department, National Polytechnic Institute of Papua New Guinea
Leanne Ealedona, Managing Director, Flaming Bill
Alice Alu, Owner/Operator, Karanas Comfort Tours
Nickson McManga, Program Coordinator, Mt Hagen Active City Development Program
Sue Waive, Tourism and Hospitality Trainer, Vunamami Farmers Training Centre, Department of Education, Kokopo

Samoa

Lagi Reupena, Environment Data Officer, Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme
Werner Tuatagaloa-Reupena, Principal Research and Statistics Officer, Samoa Tourism Authority
Kukuana Jade Eli, Senior Training & Education Officer, Samoa Tourism Authority
 

Solomon Islands

Denver Newter, Managing Director, Takapuna Rest House
Sonia Fiumae, Head of Tourism Department, Malaita Province Government
Nambi Pituvaka, Logistic/Administration Officer, Solomon airlines

Timor-Leste

João Bano Suni, Freelance tour operator
Josefina Correia de Araujo, Partnership & Investment Officer, USAID's Tourism For All Project
Fatima Moniz Soares, Owner/Operator, Fatima Café
Egidio Da Purificação Soares, President, Timor-Leste Tour Operators Association (AOTTL)
Norberto Da Costa, Director and Trainer, Sentru treinamentu Vocational Juventude (STVJ)
Anastacio Madeira Araujo, Operational Manager, Timor Unearthed Tours, LDA
 

Tonga

Hepisipa Tupou, Executive Chef, Co-Owner, Hepi Pizza (Bar and Restaurant)
 

Vanuatu

Martin Nilwo, Manager Tafea Tourism, Vanuatu Government
Eric Vatoko, Resort Manager, Blue Bay Resort and Restaurant
Sharon Marango, Human Resource Support & Training Logistic Officer, Air Vanuatu (Operations) Ltd

Tourism ProFellows 2020 Cohort

The 2020 Cohort of the Pacific Islands Tourism Professional Fellows Program unfortunately had their in-person programming postponed due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. This group of 32 Fellows from 9 countries were engaged virtually with the East-West Center from late 2020-2021, and traveled to the United States in 2022. Congratulations to the following Fellows selected for the program.

Fiji

Patricia Bibi, Research Associate, Pacific Island Farmers Organisation Network    
Melissa Natawake, Business Events/MICE Manager, Tourism Fiji
Mereoni Rakuro, International Visitaion Program (Famils)  Cordinator, Tourism Fiji    
Mohammed Ali, Pacific Tourism Organisation, Sustainable Tourism Officer    
Alvin Prasad, Human Resources and Training Manager, Holiday Inn Suva
Ratu Nailatikau, Acting Hotels Operations Manager, Yatu Lau Company Limited
Vasiti Waqaniburotukula, Customer Service Trainer, Fiji Airways

Kiribati

Maitiote Roubena, Triple Tee Enterprises, General Manager
Kini Raicebe, Sales & Marketing Manager, Vodafone Kiribati

Micronesia

Gibon Jose, KVB Tour Specialist, Kosrae Visitor Bureau, Kosrae State Government    

Papua New Guinea

Steven Asilala, Managing Director, Korofeigu Organic Coffee Producers
Peter Imbal, Head of Tourism & Hospitality Department, National Polytechnic Institute of Papua New Guinea
Leanne Ealedona, Managing Director, Flaming Bill
Alice Alu, Owner/Operator, Karanas Comfort Tours
Nickson McManga, Program Coordinator, Mt Hagen Active City Development Program
Sue Waive, Tourism and Hospitality Trainer, Vunamami Farmers Training Centre, Department of Education, Kokopo

Samoa

Lagi Reupena, Environment Data Officer, Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme
Werner Tuatagaloa-Reupena, Principal Research and Statistics Officer, Samoa Tourism Authority
Kukuana Jade Eli, Senior Training & Education Officer, Samoa Tourism Authority
 

Solomon Islands

Denver Newter, Managing Director, Takapuna Rest House
Sonia Fiumae, Head of Tourism Department, Malaita Province Government
Nambi Pituvaka, Logistic/Administration Officer, Solomon airlines

Timor-Leste

João Bano Suni, Freelance tour operator
Josefina Correia de Araujo, Partnership & Investment Officer, USAID's Tourism For All Project
Fatima Moniz Soares, Owner/Operator, Fatima Café
Egidio Da Purificação Soares, President, Timor-Leste Tour Operators Association (AOTTL)
Norberto Da Costa, Director and Trainer, Sentru treinamentu Vocational Juventude (STVJ)
Anastacio Madeira Araujo, Operational Manager, Timor Unearthed Tours, LDA
 

Tonga

Hepisipa Tupou, Executive Chef, Co-Owner, Hepi Pizza (Bar and Restaurant)
 

Vanuatu

Martin Nilwo, Manager Tafea Tourism, Vanuatu Government
Eric Vatoko, Resort Manager, Blue Bay Resort and Restaurant
Sharon Marango, Human Resource Support & Training Logistic Officer, Air Vanuatu (Operations) Ltd