Meeting and incentive options grow in Vanuatu

Media Release, March 03, 2010: Vanuatu is emerging as a popular destination for small to midsized meetings and a surge in both business and leisure travel throughout 2009 has fuelled a boom in new accommodation and tour operators. In a challenging economic climate, Vanuatu’s competitive airfares, accessible locale and stable political environment has resonated well with businesses. “All of Vanuatu’s major resorts reported increases in their group business during 2009 servicing companies opting for closer meetings with smaller numbers,” said Georgia Ditton marketing manager of Vanuatu Tourism Office in Australia. Positive results have fueled a number of new tourism developments and refurbishments which are set to strengthen Vanuatu’s position as a sought-after destination for small to midsized meetings and incentives. “Recent developments are helping Vanuatu establish a niche as a boutique destination for meetings and incentives,” said Georgia. IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) recently announced their appointment to assume the management of the 155 room resort currently trading as the Le Meridien which will undergo an extensive refurbishment before opening as Australasia’s first Holiday Inn in late 2010. As a major globally recognized brand the owners are confident that the resort will be an attractive option for group business. In December 2009, Iririki Island Resort and Spa took over the former Sebel Resort, Port Vila.

Combined, these two properties offer over 200 rooms and have the largest accommodation inventory in Vanuatu. Facilities now offer five choices of meeting rooms, five restaurants, four bars and a range of leisure facilities. Delegates can travel between the resorts via a five minute boat ride on a complimentary 24 hour ferry.  Along with major resort developments, a series of new small scale developments are helping Vanuatu establish a niche in boutique upscale accommodation. New properties, such as The Havannah Resort with eight luxury villas, private plunge pools and a gourmet restaurant, located beside Vanuatu’s first World Heritage area, offer spectacular options for small incentive groups. For groups wanting to experience more of Vanuatu’s 83 islands, Air Vanuatu has recently acquired a new 68 seat ATR72 aircraft for daily flights to outer islands including Espiritu Santo and Tanna.

“Vanuatu’s outer islands offer inspirational destinations for groups, with untouched nature and authentic once in a lifetime experiences like walking to the rim of a live volcano, diving on the world’s most accessible ship wreck and experiencing a largely traditional way of life. It is exciting to have increased air capacity as well as a new range of new boutique accommodation making islands such as Tanna and Espiritu Santo an accessible option for pre or post touring or incentives,” said Georgia. Most recently, off the white sand coast of Espiritu Santo, Ratua Private Island Resort has opened bringing an unprecedented level of accommodation to northern Vanuatu. With only 16 individual beautifully furnished villas, this 146 acre island edged by sandy beaches can be hired or partially hired for exclusive corporate retreats for up to 32 guests. Boutique cruise company, Island Escape Cruises, has also recently launched luxury five day cruises departing from Espiritu Santo exploring the remote islands including Pentecost, Ambrym and Asanvari.

The luxury 10 cabin vessel will operate in Vanuatu over the winter season between May and October. On Tanna Island a new resort Tanna Lodge and refurbishments to White Grass Ocean Resort provide more comfortable resort style accommodation for groups wanting to climb to the edge of one of the world’s most accessible volcanoes. 

For further information or to download the Vanuatu Meeting and Incentive Planner click here.