VIBTA- Executive Committee outlines upcoming achievements

Press release, 26th April 2010: On 07th April, 2010 the Vanuatu Island Bungalow & Tourism Association (VIBTA) held its first Executive Meeting at the Turtle Bay Resort, Efate. The Department of Tourism as Secretariat for VIBTA had organised this one day meeting with financial assistance from the Government of Vanuatu for strengthening rural tourism development. All six Tourism Provincial representatives from the Provincial Tourism Associations (PTA) around the country attended this one day meeting. Mr. David Dick, President for VIBTA stated in his opening remarks ‘...the need for strengthening the planning framework for the Association is very important before development and marketing initiatives for the Association can be channelled...’ Director for Department of Tourism (DOT), Mr. George Borugu and General Manager for the Vanuatu Tourism Office (VTO), Mrs. Annie Niatu were both present that day to support the executive committee for VIBTA in identifying the challenges currently faced by local tourism operators.

This one day meeting approved the establishment of a replacement for the ‘Island Safaris’, the 2011 Budget and key marketing initiatives to support Provincial Tourism development by increasing the awareness and exposure for the outer islands tourism products.  Upcoming achievements for VIBTA will include a new website for the Vanuatu Island Bungalow & Tourism Association and the Provincial Tourism Associations to be developed by July, 2010.

This is only the start of the framework for promoting our local tourism operators and the provinces as sub destinations in Vanuatu. A Visitor Travellers Guide will also follow to compliment these marketing tools. The outcome of this meeting will also see representatives for the Provincial Tourism Associations conducting meetings with their respective Island & Provincial Tourism associations including also the Provincial Tourism Councils. This will be for educating the local tourism operators for having business plans that will achieve business goals and for promoting their businesses.

The VIBTA Executive wishes to advise all local tourism operators to register with their respective Provincial Tourism Association by contacting the Provincial Tourism Offices of the Department of Tourism on the following contacts: Sanma Tourism Office: Mr. John Ware- (P) 37719 (E) This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Malampa Tourism Office: Mrs. Edna Paolo (P) 48571 (E) This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Tafea Tourism Office: Mrs. Emily Niras (P) 88770 (E) , Torba Tourism Office: Mr. Reginald Tarilaka (P) 38550 (E) This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Penama Tourism Office: Mr. Lesly Mera (P) 5526026, Shefa Tourism Office: Mr. Max Aru (P) 27541 (E) This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Head Office-Port Vila: (P) 26020 (E)  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it