The Vanuatu Tourism Office (VTO) says it’s delighted to announce the appointment of Paul Pio as the organisation’s new Short Haul Markets Manager, effective immediately.
The Vanuatu Tourism Office says in this role, Paul will be responsible for managing and developing the brand positioning of Vanuatu as a tourism destination in the short-haul markets of Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia, working collaboratively with VTO’s representation within these key markets.
Paul is a veteran of Vanuatu’s tourism industry, previously working as Marketing and Communications Manager of Air Vanuatu.
Most recently, he has been Secretary of the Vanuatu Tamtam Bubble Taskforce under the leadership of the Vanuatu Prime Minister’s Office and committee member of the Vanuatu Government’s Tourism Crisis Response and Recovery Advisory Committee under the Ministry of Tourism, which he will continue in this role.
Vanuatu Tourism Office’s Chief Executive Officer, Adela Issachar Aru, said Mr Pio’s appointment comes at an integral time for Vanuatu’s travel industry and his knowledge, experience and leadership skills add invaluable expertise to VTO’s existing management team.
“I am thrilled to welcome Mr Paul Pio to the Vanuatu Tourism Office in the role of Short Haul Markets Manager. Paul is passionate about delivering tangible results to Vanuatu and he has a commitment to a strong collaborative approach, that will play a key role in our tourism sector recovery.
“Paul has established relationships with our industry and in-market stakeholders, allowing him to hit the ground running and focus on the priority of developing marketing strategies for when our borders are able to safely re-open.
“Aviation access will underpin our recovery success and Paul’s expertise in this area will add immense value to the team, in addition to supporting the work of the Tamtam Bubble Taskforce.
“Vanuatu’s short haul markets, including Australia, will be pivotal in Vanuatu’s economic recovery and key for delivering innovative tourism recovery marketing programmes. I know Paul will take on the challenge of leading this work with focus and commitment,” said Ms Issachar Aru.
In this new role, Paul said he looks forward to fostering corporate and business relationships both in Vanuatu and its core markets of Australia, New Caledonia and New Zealand, as the tourism board implements the 2021-2023 Tourism Marketing Recovery Program.
“I am excited to take on this role and work with the established team at the Vanuatu Tourism Office. There is a huge opportunity for Vanuatu as we ready for the comeback of international travel and I’m excited to help build Vanuatu’s profile as a top holiday destination for Australians,” he said.