Vanuatu

Vanuatu Island Bungalows Association (VIBA),
National Tourism Organization,
Chamber of Commerce, and
Vanair

The Rural Tourism Development Programme attempts to encourage
tourism in areas outside of the country’s two main urban centers. Tourism has made a limited impact on the rural areas and, as a result, 70 per cent of the population is left with few opportunities for cash-generating activities. In the early 1990s, small locally owned and managed resorts opened without external assistance and marketing support. Eventually, they failed to generate enough business to be commercially sustainable. This project, however, involves the coordinated efforts of the VIBA, the National Tourism Organization, the Chamber of Commerce, as well as Vanair, the domestic airline. Each organization has a vested interest in increasing the market demand and the volume of tourism in rural areas as well as all of Vanuatu.

It addresses Chapter VIII of the Barbados Programme of Action on Tourism Resources

• Tourism resources are better distributed among the population, and coastal and marine resources are protected by the bungalow owners to serve as tourist attractions.
• The commercial viability for operations has been improved by increasing product demand through marketing and distribution, and product quality and business skills, throughtraining.
• An improvement in management skills and levels of customer service at the small bungalow resorts has been achieved.
• The delivery of training to operators in management, marketing, product development, food preparation and financial management has been provided on a continuousbasis.
• The creation of the Rural Tourism Support Centre, which provides a centralized booking facility on a commercial basis.
• The establishment of the Vanuatu Island Bungalow Association (VIBA) and the Rural Tourism Support Centre coordinates bookings and support to bungalow operators.
• The development of Island Safaris, an inbound operator, intends to increase awareness of the small bungalow resorts among consumers by distributing bungalow products, developing promotional material and engaging in marketing activities on behalf of the bungalow operators. In addition, an increase in the distribution of the rural resorts sector through wholesalers and travel agents is expected. Island Safaris, presently a private company owned by VIBA, the Chamber of Commerce and Vanair, aims at becoming financially autonomous.

• The reinforcement of an existing private operation through an organized framework has proven to be efficient.
• Expansion of the sector and personnel rotation within the bungalow management necessitates continued training.

Annie Niatu
General Manager Island Safaris
PO Box 133, Port Vila, Vanuatu
Fax: (678) 26779
E-mail: islands@vanuatu.com.vu

E. Appelbaum
EU Resident Advisor
Port Vila, Vanuatu.
Fax: (678) 23282
E-mail: eudelvan@vanuatu.com.vu