While Vanuatu’s beaches would be the envy of countless countries, the Pacific nation wants prospective holidaymakers to think beyond the vision of Vanuatu as just a flop-n-drop, lay-by-the-pool destination. Karryon finds out more at Vanuatu’s flagship tourism event in Port Vila.
In an interview with Karryon at TOK TOK 2023, Vanuatu Tourism Office (VTO) CEO Adela Issachar Aru calls Vanuatu an “adventure destination”.
“Vanuatu is definitely not just a sun and sea destination anymore. We are a rough diamond, very authentic, very warm,” she says.
“So definitely, there’s so much on the bucket list for any adventure traveller to actually experience.
“Prior to the border closure, we repositioned Vanuatu in the marketplace as an adventure destination.
“Our two key markets were adventure seekers and ‘experience collectors’, because as a destination we believe that … we have so much on offer.”
From zip-lining near Port Vila to volcano visits on Tanna, quad biking and zego-riding (like quads of the sea) in Efate to wreck diving in Santo, Vanuatu makes a strong case.
Part of the adventure travel push involves dispersing tourism across its islands – and many Australians, who form by far the largest visitor source market in Vanuatu, are heeding the call.
“We’re starting to see more of an interest in adventure travel,” Issachar Aru says.
“We’re seeing that demographic of people from 20 years up until 40 or 50 who are interested in going further than Port Vila.”
“They’re going to Santo, going to Tanna for the volcano experiences”, she adds. And even beyond, for instance to the island of Pentecost to watch locals land dive (think bungee jumping but with tree vines wrapped around your ankles!) from April to June each year.
Adventure of a different kind
The adventure even extends to cruising, where expedition sailings are a hot topic for tourism authorities.
“One key thing that we’re seeing from Vanuatu … is the interest for cruise expeditions. And this is an emerging market for us,” the VTO boss says.
According to Issachar Aru, while more research needs to go into what expedition cruising will exactly look like moving forward, it will likely include calls to some of Vanuatu’s outer islands. As will possible yacht trips.
“Another niche market that we’re now working on is the yachting market because we see that as a big potential for the rest of the remote islands in the country.”
Held at the Warwick Le Wagon resort in Port Vila, TOK TOK 2023 saw hundreds of meetings take place between ni-Vanuatu operators and international buyers, nearly half of whom were Australian.
Providing exclusive Aussie coverage, Karryon was also at the event, which returned after a four-year absence.
Read more from our interview with Issachar Aru here.
Also, click here for more information on VTO.
