Vanuatu A Piece of Paradise in Travel Trade NZ

Story by Chloe Martin, Travel Trade New Zealand: Development in Vanuatu is in full swing, with the construction of a new circle road around the main island of Efate and plenty of new resorts and products on offer. The road around Efate has never been sealed, making travel – though possible – slightly tricky. But thanks to a $2 billion project work is underway to pave the entire way around. While the paved circle road will make travel around the island easier, what’s really important is what it means for further development. It is hoped the road will be completed by 2011. Resorts in Efate have traditionally been more lagoon-based, built mostly in Port Vila, rather than on actual beaches due to the unsealed road. “With the road being redeveloped and re-sealed, it will be completely different and we should see a lot of development and building coming up over the next five years,” according to the Vanuatu Tourism Office (VTO). The new road will allow resorts to be located right on natural, white sandy beach. Eratap and the new luxury property, The Havannah are two resorts built by the beach – and the road that leads to Havannah is the first part of sealed road. Many more properties are going to be built too, with planning and development already under way.

The VTO said The White Sands Golf Course development is set to be one of the biggest golf courses in the Pacific and it will also boast the largest hotel in the country. Other developments set to take off around Efate include the Tamann Boutique resort and the Eaton Reef resort development. More New Zealanders are also heading to Vanuatu and new resorts are being built to accommodate this trend and fit everyone in. New Zealand is the second largest market for Vanuatu – and the tourism office said the figures have picked up in recent times. “We are getting more and more accommodation, but still there are not enough beds in this country,” said the VTO.

Properties agreed that during peak season all accommodation is full and it’s hard to meet visitor demand. The recession has meant Vanuatu appeals as a good, close choice for New Zealand travellers – and it is a safe and friendly place to go. Many properties are also reporting a boom in short term bookings. In keeping with Vanuatu’s upward trend, more restaurants and bars are also popping up. There’s the new up-market La Tentation restaurant in Port Vila Town Centre and La Grillade at Starfish Cove.

There’s also an array of new product on offer, such as Island Escape Cruises, which offers luxury adventures, tours like the Reef Explorer and new, central accommodation such as the Pandanus Bay Waterfront Apartments. According to the VTO, New Zealanders mostly stay on the main island of Efate in Vanuatu, instead of venturing out to Tanna or Santo, and tend to be interested in relaxation and rest. Currently 80 per cent of travellers stay on Efate while only 20 per head to the other islands – and the VTO would like to increase the amount of visitors going to Tanna and Santo. But it’s all looking good, with travel numbers to Tanna increasing and Santo fast becoming a desired destination. “It is beautiful but most people don’t know about it,” said the VTO.

“They think about sandy beaches when thinking of the South Pacific. We do have that but we also have much more to offer – diving, the natural environment, beautiful people and such a diverse culture with 300 dialects and 100 different languages.” The VTO most people think of Port Vila when thinking about Vanuatu, but there’s so much more to discover beyond the main city. Wholesaler Lifestyle Holidays said the island of Santo is proving to be very trendy. “There’re a lot more boutique-style properties opening there and it gives clients that outer-island experience,” said manager Sharon Martin.

She said it’s a quieter region but the accommodation is upgrading, with new products like Oyster Island Resort on offer. “Santo is definitely the up-and-coming destination; it’s quieter with untouched beaches.” Martin said Vanuatu is also destination which is great for eating out and the resort dining on offer. “It’s all about eating out and about. There are heaps of restaurants in Port Vila, which is really quite busy.”

Martin said in her recent trip to Vanuatu she saw first-hand the change and growth – which is only set to increase over the next few years.