15.05.22 Industry release - News, Updates and information
- The Ministry of Health has updated the Roadmap to Safe Border Reopening (Version 3 – 11 May 2022), which also highlights the new travel protocols and testing regime, under Recovery Level 1 (lift most restrictions), ahead of the border reopening in July 2022. For more information, please click HERE.
- To view the border reopening travel protocols, please check: Vanuatu Ministry of Health COVID-19 Updates - Travellers to Vanuatu (gov.vu)
- Our team is preparing tools for communicating health protocols to consumers once details are finalised. These will be shared with industry once available.
- Initial conversations have been held with cruise ship companies – Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruises. These discussions are ongoing and more detail will be provided once available.
- New Zealand borders will be fully reopened from 31st July 2022. Visitors applying from Pacific Island Forum countries (excluding Australia) will now be able to apply for visas from 16 May as entry to New Zealand from the Pacific, including Vanuatu. From 4 July all work visa categories will be open for applications and from 31 July, all student and visitor visa categories will reopen. The maritime border will also reopen on 31 July. This includes dropping of all protocols and commencement of cruise ship ports of call. For more information click here.
- VTO Market Representatives will be providing Market Intelligence Reports as we move forward in the coming week. These will be available on the Keeping Vanuatu Beautiful Facebook page
- A program of activity to promote the first flights from all markets, including a welcoming program in Port-Vila, is being prepared, which involves a number of stakeholders from Health, Aviation, Local authorities and obviously, our tourism industry partners.
Aviation News
- AirCalin released their schedule between Noumea and Port-Vila commencing 1 July. The codeshare arrangement between Air Vanuatu and AirCalin is currently under review and we look forward to further announcement.
- With the latest release of Aircalin’s schedule combined with Air Vanuatu, it brings a total of five (5) flights a week between Port-Vila and Noumea on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
- Aircalin will continue to operate its Airbus A320 aircraft (126 seats) and Air Vanuatu with its ATR72 (68 seats).
- Air Vanuatu and VTO signed a MOU on Wednesday, Preparing Border Reopening Aviation Connectivity through collaborative marketing initiatives between the two parties.
Labour Attraction (Work Ready Pool) Program
- VTO will release the first of the 10 series of the Workers Attraction Campaign this week. A special acknowledgement to the Department of Tourism and the Department of Labour, with support from the Australian funded program, Vanuatu Skills Partnership (VSP).
- The Tourism Labour Desk set up into the new office space inside the Olympic Courts this week with support from the Australian Pacific Training Coalition (APTC). The registration of potential tourism domestic workers is progressing well with over 280 registered this week for training. This will be added to the current 300 potential workers registered already with the Vanuatu Institute of Technology (VIT) and undertaking training, soon to be integrated into work place attachment.
International Marketing Activity
Australia
- Fielding significant interest from trade and consumers regarding re-opening protocols and cruise ship activities.
- Updating and connection with trade through the Vanuatu Specialists Program.
- Increased engagement across social media of opening date and Business Clean, Caring and Checked Messaging.
- Strong media interest across publications regarding the border opening announcement continues. Please see some examples below. Discussions are underway with a number of these media outlets and journalists for the border opening famils and experiences
Out & About with Kids
www.outandaboutwithkids.com.au/vanuatu-perfect-for-your-family-adventure/
UVM: 50,000
Ad value: $500
KarryOn
New Zealand
- Trade Reconnection campaign in full swing in New Zealand with a full range of Vanuatu Guides being distributed to travel agents.
- Trade media are seeking updates and stories from tourism experiences in Vanuatu and are publishing stories to support the re-opening campaign.
- Pre-opening stories on Vanuatu have appeared in Mindfood Magazine, NZ Adventure Magazine and NZ Fishing Magazine.
- Ongoing social promotion of properties who are receiving there Clean, Caring and Checked certification
New Caledonia
- Discussions are ongoing with the current existing trade partners in New Caledonia.
- Aircalin has released its schedule to Vanuatu and has also announced a new direct route to Singapore, which provides another avenue for our long-haul markets of Asia, Europe and North America.
- Discussions are ongoing with existing tour companies such as Touramex and others, on border reopening and potential package deals. Reconnections with local operators are ongoing and we continue to provide communication support to ensure products are market ready.
- A PR led campaign is currently under development with a number of publications such as Mag'Origin Air and TUP NC Mag
Follow up for Industry
We know you are busy with preparations – but here are a few things that will help:
- Have you updated your information on the VTO website? Please contact our Senior Website Officer – Ms. Alcina Charley (
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) to update images and make sure the information is correct. - Do you want to put opening deals on the VTO website? Please contact VTO’s interim Digital Strategy and Communications Manager, Paul Pio (
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) - Do you have any relevant news to share? VTO are looking for stories about your opening plans, changes to your product or experience, opening messages and information. Every day, the VTO international teams are being asked for information on the status of products and experiences. Please send your information to
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.