Fiji Lands All Three Covers of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2017

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Tourism Fiji is proud to announce that our islands of Fiji are featured on all three covers of the highly anticipated Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2017. Hitting newsstands, the web and social platforms today, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit has an unprecedented reach of over 60 million readers worldwide.

Nestled in the sparkling waters of the South Pacific, Fiji's 333 islands are known for endless stretches of white sand beaches, crystal-clear ocean waters, lush jungles and picturesque waterfalls. During the shoot, SI Swimsuit shot in locations including VOMO Island and Vomo Lailai (Little Vomo), situated between Fiji's two western island chains called the Mamanucas and the Yasawas. Shoots also took place on Mana Island and Modriki Island in the Mamanuca island chain, places revered for their natural beauty and featured in previous film and television productions, including the iconic film "Castaway" and television show, "Survivor." These locations were selected for their stunning landscapes, yet also for their secluded nature. The models on the shoot included Hannah Ferguson, Danielle Herrington, Bojana Krsmanovic, Ashley Graham and Kate Upton.

"Fiji is your quintessential paradise, and rightly so!" said MJ Day, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Assistant Managing Editor. "Tons of tiny islands each with their own look and feel, gorgeous coral lined beaches decorated with palm trees like it's straight out of a post card. VOMO Resort was the perfect base camp for our 2017 shoot. After arriving via helicopter, feeling like a royal, we were greeted by the most perfect beaches…and some black tipped sharks in the shallows (don't worry, they're harmless)! The crew enjoyed some of the freshest seafood we have ever had, one lunch eating sashimi from a fish that Hannah Ferguson caught herself. Fiji snagged the 2017 cover, so I think that speaks for itself."

The models and crew were transported via Los Angeles (LAX) with Fiji Airways, offering the only non-stop flights from the U.S. to paradise. After arriving in Fiji, the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit crew focused its multi-day destination shoot on the exclusive, luxurious 225-acre-island escape that is VOMO Island Resort. The resort features a choice of four room types ranging from laidback beachfront cottages (or Bures as they are known in Fijian) to the sophisticated 4-bedroom "Residence," which includes your own Fijian butler. Located only a five-minute boat ride off VOMO Island is Vomo Lailai (Little Vomo); a deserted island that can be rented out for a day of romance and privacy. Guests can indulge in a gourmet champagne picnic delivered to the island upon request.

"Fiji is much more than just its pristine beaches and idyllic tropical islands as showcased in SI Swimsuit 2017," said Matthew Stoeckel, CEO of Tourism Fiji. "Fiji is world renowned for its authentic, friendly hospitality and it's the interaction that visitors have with the Local Fijians that make Fiji such a captivating destination. At every resort, guests are always greeted by name and the small guest-to-staff ratio makes the interaction personal and memorable," concludes Stoeckel.

These personal and heartfelt interactions with visitors further create the notion of Fiji as a transformational destination. Many visitors are highly impacted by the Fijian culture and experience a shift of perspective during their stay. Fiji provides visitors with the opportunity of self-reflection and the development of a deeper communion with nature and culture.

Those interested in learning more about Fiji's islands, VOMO Island Resort and the places featured on the covers of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2017 are invited to click on www.fiji.travel/us/Swim2017.

Check out all photos from Swimsuit 2017 on si.com/swimsuit and to see additional images from SI Swimsuit 2017 on location in Fiji, click here: Swim Daily 

Join the conversation about the shoot with the trending hashtags across social media: #SISwim & #FijiNow.

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ABOUT TOURISM FIJI:
Tourism Fiji functions as the Fijian government's marketing agency responsible for promoting travel to Fiji, in order to maximize the number of visitors to the destination. Tourism Fiji has established a presence in eight key markets around the globe and its activities include advertising, public relations, media programs, trade shows and programs for the tourism industry, and consumer promotions to better showcase Fiji – where happiness finds you! Please visit www.fiji.travel for more information.

Tourism Fiji: Instagram @TourismFiji, Facebook @Fiji, Twitter @TourismFiji, YouTube @FijiTourism

ABOUT SPORTS ILLUSTRATED SWIMSUIT:
Sports Illustrated Swimsuit (www.SI.com/Swimsuit) reaches more than 70 million US adults annually and more men 18 to 34 than the Super Bowl. The iconic brand spans 20 product extensions, along with a vibrant experiential marketing business. Since debuting in 1964, Swimsuit has become a pop-culture phenomenon and a revered launching pad for successful careers in TV, fashion, business and film, including those of Elle Macpherson, Kathy Ireland, Cheryl Tiegs, Tyra Banks, Heidi Klum, Kate Upton, Chrissy Teigen and Ashley Graham. The fashion industry describes SI Swimsuit as the "Oscars of Swimwear," as an appearance in the issue is a crowning achievement for swimsuit and accessory manufacturers.

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit: Instagram @SI_Swimsuit, Facebook @SISwimsuit, Twitter @SI_Swimsuit, YouTube @SIswimsuit, Snapchat 'siswim', App: iOS | Android

For media inquiries, please contact:
Lauren Hammerson
Myriad Marketing for Tourism Fiji
TourismFiji@myriadmarketing.com
+1 310-649-7700

SOURCE Tourism Fiji