The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has lowered its travel advice for Vanuatu, 23 days after it was hit by category five Cyclone Pam.
The ‘monster’ cyclone struck the island nation on 13 March, causing devastation to a number of islands, including tourist favourite, Port Vila.
As well as causing significant damage to infrastructure, water supplies and electricity, Pam also left around 70 percent of the population displaced.
About 2 in 3 children in #Vanuatu in need of humanitarian assistance http://t.co/STtLs7uBT1 #CyclonePam pic.twitter.com/hTrFq9PiE0
— UNICEF (@UNICEF) March 24, 2015
On Monday, the official death toll according to the United Nations, was revised from 24 to 11. And charity group, Latitude Global Volunteering confirmed the 19 missing volunteers (including eight Australians) have all been located and safe.
As the nation slowly picks up the pieces, DFAT has readjusted its overall recommendation for Vanuatu from ‘reconsider your need to travel’ to ‘exercise a high degree of caution’.
“Tourist infrastructure is being repaired and essential services restored.”
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Vanuatu Tourism Office’s (VTO) Australian representative, Anne Morris, welcomed the downgrading of the travel advice because it recognises the quick progress that is being made to repair infrastructure and restore essential services.
International commercial flights in and out of Vanuatu have returned to normal despite some damage sustained at the airport terminal in Port Vila.
Ms Morris also welcomed the swift change to the DFAT status for the island of Espiritu Santo to ‘exercise normal safety precautions on Santo and surrounding islands’.
Great news @savechildrenaus as #Vanuatu aid unloaded in Vila from @POCruises Pacific Dawn. pic.twitter.com/HwRLUPgelo
— Carnival Australia (@CarnivalAusNews) March 24, 2015
DFAT says tourist infrastructure on Santo is operating normally. This was confirmed by local operators last week who have urged holidaymakers to keep their travel plans to the island. Read on
Ms Morris also reminded Australians that Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu’s second most popular island, was unaffected by the cyclone and is open for business now.
The VTO representative says she hopes the changes will help rebuild confidence amongst the industry and potential travellers.
“Tourism is such a vital industry for the Vanuatu people and as they work quickly to rebuild their homes and businesses after the damage caused by Cyclone Pam, we are making it very clear we want Australians to come back.”
Anne Morris, VTO Australian representative
“For those wanting to travel now, the beautiful island of Espiritu Santo is ready to welcome tourists immediately. This island is the largest in Vanuatu and is renowned for its impressive diving, the world-famous white-sandy Champagne Beach, turquoise blue holes and the welcoming friendly ni-Vanuatu people.”
Ms Morris added that resorts and restaurants in Port Vila are seeing ‘great progress’, while recovery efforts move swiftly on Tanna.
“Properties will continue to come back online over the next few months and it is expected that both destinations will be fully recovered and back to business as usual by the second half of this year.”
Anne Morris, VTO Australian representative
The VTO will also be regularly providing updates at www.discovervanuatu.com.au/tropical-cyclone-pam-hotel-update/ in regards to the condition of specific hotels, tours, attractions, transfers and cruises.
Feature image: Humans of Vanuatu/Facebook
