Vanuatu Island Bungalow & Tourism Association (VIBTA) has New President and launches first Constitution

Press release by VIBTA 2009: Infront of tourism government officials and the 6 Presidents of the Provincial Tourism Associations, Mr.David Dick as President of the Shefa Tourism Association was nominated and elected as the new President of VIBTA at the Sanma Women’s Centre, Luganville, Santo. Mr. Kelson Hosea as representative for the East Tanna Tourism Association was also elected as the Vice President of VIBTA.  The Department of Tourism has as of November 2008 reestablished the one time called ‘Vanuatu Island Bungalow Association’ but now known as the ‘Vanuatu Island Bungalow & Tourism Association (VIBTA). With funding support from the European Union, VIBTA was born. A one time tourism association belonging to only local tourism bungalow operators has just gone bigger to incorporating not only bungalow operators but other local tourism operators operating other forms of tourism businesses such as tour services, information centres, restaurant etc. The Department of Tourism as of 2009 mandated under the ‘Vanuatu Tourism Action Program’ been strengthening the planning framework for coordinating tourism development with the country.

As a result, Area Council Tourism Associations followed by Provincial Tourism Associations were being formed within the 6 Provinces in which forms the Executive Committee for VIBTA.  December 04th 2009 has seen the finalization and adoption of VIBTA’s new Constitution in which the Department and the 6 Provincial Tourism Associations have put together to agree that this will be the binding document that sets the key objectives on which how the Association will operate today into the future.

The tourism sector in Vanuatu is growing and with 80% of the total number of visitors staying only in Port Vila, there needs to be a better mechanism in place to help develop the outer island tourism products, improve the services offered there and to reduce the 80% of visitors staying in Port Vila to visit the Vanuatu islands and explore the adventurous and cultural dynamics of our Islands and Provinces. 

Mr. John Shing, First Political Advisor to the Ministry of Tourism whom was representing the Minister responsible for Tourism, Hon. Santo Kilman, officiated the launching of VIBTA’s Constitution and confirmed in his statement that this Constitution ‘shall be to promote and to facilitate positive improvement in the social and economic life of its members. This Constitution shall be the roadmap to guiding the members of VIBTA to developing tourism in the Outer Islands of Vanuatu.’

The Official launching ceremony ended off with key remarks as well from the Secretary General of Sanma Province, Mr. Joel Path.