Watch Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, Fiji welcomes back guests

Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, Fiji, the premier eco-adventure luxury destination in the South Pacific, is more than ready to welcome back its first guests after months being closed to international travelers, due to the pandemic. Nestled in an exclusive, lush tropical enclave on the island of Vanua Levu overlooking the tranquil waters of Savusavu Bay, Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort is a one-of-a-kind escape for couples, families, and discerning travelers seeking relaxation, adventure, and a luxury recharge after months of staying near home.

The expected opening follows news that Fiji expects to reopen to international travelers (including travelers from USA) from December 1 and Qantas will begin service from Australia in December. Prospective guests in the U.S. can book reservations by calling (800) 246-3454 or emailing info@fijiresort.com, and guests arriving from Australia can book by dialling (1300) 306-171 or by emailing

“We are excited to welcome back our guests and returning friends to the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort,” said Bartholomew Simpson, General Manager of Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, Fiji. “We can’t wait to see the joy in their faces and hear the laughter as they once again visit our island to enjoy and explore the incredible natural wonders of our South Pacific destination. During this truly unprecedented time in our history, our resort staff worked tirelessly to maintain the beauty of the property while preserving our commitment to the environment. We’re ready to provide our guests with a wonderful, memorable vacation.”

Returning guests and new adventure-seekers will have the opportunity to sleep in an authentic Fijian bure, dive in some of the most beautiful waters in the world, leisurely snorkel and explore the area via sea kayak, or escape to a private island for a picnic. Guests can also visit the mangroves, pearl farm, an authentic Fijian village, or hike through a tropical rainforest and discover a hidden waterfall.

The youngest guests will be wowed with a visit to the Bula Club, the resort’s award-winning kids club, where they’ll spend their days exploring and learning about the world around them through games and outdoor activities. Children ages 5 and under are assigned their very own nanny for the duration of their stay; and children ages 6 to 12 are join small groups led by a buddy.

watch Bali reopens to tourists from 19 countries but with riders.

From today, fully vaccinated travellers from 19 countries including China, India, and France can enter Bali. But visitors must first serve a five-day quarantine in a hotel. The 19 countries are Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, New Zealand, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Liechtenstein, Italy, France, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Poland, Hungary and Norway.

The UK is not on the list. Australia, where most of Bali’s tourists came from before the pandemic, is also absent from the list. Tourism and economy minister Sandiaga Uno said Bali’s reopening is focusing on travellers and returning expatriates who used to live in Bali.

Officials had closed the international airport in April last year to stop the coronavirus from spreading. In July, Indonesia became the epicentre of Covid in Asia, but daily cases have since reduced significantly.

Now the tourism sector is hoping that some of the 6 million foreigners who visited the island in 2019, before the pandemic hit, will return. The island has one of the highest vaccination rates in Indonesia, with more than 82% fully vaccinated, according to health ministry data.

Watch UK cuts travel red list to seven countries

The UK government has confirmed 47 countries and territories will be removed from its red list, making it easier for more people to travel abroad to a larger number of countries and territories. Passengers returning to England from these destinations will no longer be required to enter hotel quarantine.

Only seven destinations now remain on the red list – Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Panama, Peru and Venezuela. The changes come into effect from 11 October.

Eligible fully vaccinated passengers and eligible under 18s returning from countries and territories not on the red list, can do so with just a day two test. Other passengers who are not fully vaccinated with an authorised vaccine returning from a non-red destination must still take a pre-departure test, a day two and day eight test and complete ten days self-isolation (with the option of test to release on day five).

In another announcement on 7 October, eligible travellers vaccinated in over 37 new countries and territories including Brazil, Ghana, Hong Kong, India, Pakistan, South Africa and Turkey, will also be treated the same as returning fully vaccinated UK residents. The latest travel update builds on the announcement from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office earlier this week that it has lifted advice against all but essential travel for over 30 countries and territories.

More advisories will be removed as countries and territories come off the red list, making it easier for people to be covered by insurance when travelling to a wider list of destinations.

Transport secretary, Grant Shapps, said: “With half-term and winter sun around the corner, restoring people’s confidence in travel is key to rebuilding our economy and levelling up this country. With less restrictions and more people traveling, we can all continue to move safely forward together along our pathway to recovery.”