03.05.22 Industry Release: Answer the Call of Vanuatu in July!
Another busy week for the team as we work to establish protocols for safe borders opening on the 1st of July 2022 and to welcome back visitors to Vanuatu.
We’ve continued to collaborate with our many partners both on the ground in Vanuatu and offshore to establish clear pathways forward, ensuring we have everything covered as we work through our Tourism Ready phase of the Border Reopening Plan.
Last week’s updates:
The VTO and Ministry Health teams had their fortnightly meeting this week and continue to work through the necessary protocols for opening our borders to tourists on the 1st of July 2022.
The revised Health Roadmap to Safe Border Reopening (version 2) is available HERE, which provides guidelines and stages to attain the July milestone.
The revised Health Roadmap to Safe Border Reopening (version 2) is available HERE, which provides guidelines and stages to attain the July milestone.
Whilst some of the details are still to be finalized, we can confirm the following:
- There will be NO quarantine period for arrivals from the 1st of July 2022 for fully vaccinated travelers.
- There will be NO cap on the arrival numbers into Vanuatu from the 1st of July 2022.
- We are still seeking clarification around testing requirements, both pre-departure and on arrival, age requirements for fully vaccinated (will unvaccinated children be able to enter) and the Vanuatu Electronic Traveller System (VETS). We hope to have more clarity around this at our next meeting.
- Air Vanuatu, Airports Vanuatu and the Vanuatu Tourism Office officially announced border openings with press releases to our international and local media and trade partners this week.
- This week, Air Vanuatu has loaded flight schedules and opening airfares, ready for re-opening on the 1st of July 2022. These fares will also be available across other booking platforms (GDS). To view the schedule, click HERE.
- VTO and DoT have commenced phase 1 of the Roadmap for Tourism Border Reopening, filming this week for the Worker Attraction Campaign. This video encourages people to re-join & rebuild the tourism sector workforce as we prepare to welcome back tourists. The video launched on Friday 29th April, ahead of Labour day on Monday 02 May, 2022 and features the Honorable Minister of Tourism, Trade, Commerce and Ni-Vanuatu Business, the Commissioner of Labour and the Acting Director of the Department of Tourism.
- In partnership with the Vanuatu Skills Partnership (VSP), VTO and DoT have set-up a Tourism Labour Desk as part of the Tourism Ready Stage 1 of the Road Map for Tourism Reopening. This help desk aims to process registration of interested applicants, who wish to work in the Tourism and Hospitality sector, to further strengthen the work-ready pool workforce, manage through the Employment Services portal of the Department of Labour. On the job-training opportunities will also be provided.
- Interested applicants can submit their profiles (CVs and letter of interests) to
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - The VTO and DoT are reviewing the Cruise Tourism Resumption plan and developing guidelines around the Safe Operation Practices for this sector.
- On Wednesday, the 4th of May, the Pacific Trade Invest Australia will host a free online ‘Digital Health Check’ workshop for Vanuatu tourism operators to prepare for the return of international travelers. From 09.00 to 9.40 am (VUT), the workshop will provide insights on reviewing and assessing digital assets and tools to attract and capture customers and increase sales. The session will cover tools such as your website, emails, social media platforms, Google My Business, and Trip Advisor. Register here by Tuesday (Today), the 3rd of May. (link Digital Health Check - Vanuatu Tickets, Wed 04/05/2022 at 8:00 am | Eventbrite)
- In the new week, we’ll begin the recruitment process for a coordinator for our Vanuatu Tourism Help Desk. We need to ensure that it is as easy as possible to book and travel to Vanuatu. It isn’t easy to understand the status and opening plans of products and experiences across Vanuatu from overseas. The objective of the help desk is to make it easy for travel trade and partners to secure information on various products and experiences as we move closer to border openings.
International Team:
- This week, the team officially announced border re-opening to trade media and our trade partners in our key markets. Work will now begin securing tactical campaigns with our partners to drive business into the second half of 2022.
- Work continues on the VTO website review so don’t forget to check out your listing and submit any necessary updates or changes. Remember, the VTO will be driving international audiences to the website, and we expect to see our visitor numbers to both www.Vanuatu.travel/au and www.Vanuatu.travel/nz increase over the next few weeks.
- Social posting has increased with messaging around border opening, SBO & Clean Caring Checked (CCC) Certified businesses and various protocols as they are confirmed. These posts will be supplemented with general inspirational posts encouraging followers to Answer the Call of Vanuatu from July.
- The creative concepts are underway for our re-opening brand campaign, and we look forward to sharing these with you in the coming weeks.
- Work is underway to update the Vanuatu Specialists Program. Once this is complete, the VTO team will be launching a Trade Education campaign to Travel Agents in Australia and NZ to encourage them to refresh their Vanuatu knowledge, so they are ready to sell Vanuatu to their clients confidentiality.