A group of Flight Centre travel agents travelled to Vanuatu last week to see the destination’s recovery after it was hit by a category five cyclone in March.
The tour was organised by Vanuatu Tourism Office, Infinity Holidays and Air Vanuatu.
Flight Centre’s agents were the first Australian travel consultants to take a famil to the island nation since Cyclone Pam crossed Vanuatu’s path.
Vanuatu Tourism Office’s (VTO) Australian representative, Anne Morris, said the people of Vanuatu have been working tirelessly to repair damage done by Cyclone Pam and reopen their hotels, businesses and tours and the famil was a great opportunity to highlight this.
She said over half of the resorts and restaurants in Port Vila are not open to guests and Espiritu Santo remains fully operational, suffering no damage.
Even Tanna, which was affected quite significantly, has reopened selected accommodation and tours.
“This famil has enabled front line agents to see the recovery efforts for themselves and how tourism is key to ensuring the full recovery cycle is fulfilled.”
Anne Morris, VTO Australian representative
A highlight of the trip included an island tour with a difference where participants provided a helping hand to special needs children as part of the work done by the Vanuatu Society of Disabled People.
They also stopped by Eton Primary and Epule Village School delivering educational goods and supplies.
Image: Humans of Vanuatu/Facebook
Agents were hosted by Warwick Le Lagon Resort and Poppys on the Lagoon.
Meanwhile, hoteliers and Air Vanuatu are offering agents significantly discounted rates to Vanuatu as part of a self famil initiative.
Select hotels are offering agents and their partners two free nights’ accommodation or great discounts on their usual rates.
Coupled with Air Vanuatu’s AU$50 agent fare, a trip to Vanuatu for the travel industry is now more affordable than ever.
Click here for the full list of hotels self famil deals.
Featured in the image above: Alcina Charlie, Vanuatu Tourism Office; Anne Morris, Vanuatu Tourism Office Australia Representative; representatives from the Vanuatu Society of Disabled People.
Agents on the famil include: Roslyn Elsley, Escape Travel Tamworth; Karen Edenborough, Flight Centre Forestway; Emmilienne Magnusson, Escape Travel Broadway; Bronwyn Wareham, Flight Centre Kingston; Dejan Stanojevic, Escape Travel Burwood; Samuel Marsden, Flight Centre Gungahlin; Sandie Eade, Flight Centre Settlement City; Kristy McGurgan, Flight Centre Central; Jessica Briggs, Flight Centre Manly; Jenna Bills, Flight Centre Orange; Jessica Scardoni, Flight Centre Mawson.