Virgin Australia seems to be feeling a little more confident about flying into Vanuatu and could resume services to the destination by next month.
The carrier along with Air New Zealand suspended operations to the island nation in January this year, citing safety concerns over the condition of Bauerfield International Airport’s international runway.
According to reports, the runway had experienced damage during Tropical Cyclone Pam, which required urgent “resurfacing and repair”.
Following Virgin and Air New Zealand’s withdrawal from the destination, Vanuatu’s government secured a contract with a New Zealand civil contracting company for emergency repairs.
Earlier this month, Vanuatu’s tourism leaders confirmed the first phase of repairs was almost complete, prompting Virgin Australia to run an independent assessment of the runway.
According to Radio New Zealand, Virgin Australia said it was prepared to return to the destination pending the results of the assessment and the government’s commitment to maintaining infrastructure.
Although the carrier withheld a potential return date, its website search results currently have Port Vila flights available on 23 May and 25 May this year.
Meanwhile, Vanuatu’s tourism leaders are equipping agents with a potential influx of travellers keen to visit the islands with a new trade website with content specifically tailor for Australian and New Zealand agents.
Consultants will need to pre-register for access to vanuatuspecialists.com, which aims to assist in matching the requirements of customers with the destination.
Website features include a new, comprehensive online training program, videos, image library, brochures, latest news, events calendar, press releases and details of marketing campaigns.
Agents will also be able to take advantage of exclusive industry accommodation and air rates.
Vanuatu Tourism Office’s General Manager, Linda Kalpoi said the dedicated website and online training programme were essential tools for today’s travel industry.
“We are now in a technology savvy society and it is important that we empower our frontline representatives with the right tools and knowledge at their fingertips to best represent Vanuatu.”
Linda Kalpoi, Vanuatu Tourism Office General Manager
“The Vanuatu specialists website is a platform for travel agents to learn more about the destination, but also stay up-to-date with developments and news, and hear first about exclusive industry rates, so they can experience it all firsthand.”
