Vanuatu, a popular tourist destination known for its natural beauty and diverse culture, was hit hard by Cyclones Judy and Kevin last week. The dual cyclones wreaked havoc across the country’s 83 islands, leaving behind a trail of destruction and devastation. However, the Vanuatu Tourism Office (VTO) has announced that the country is bouncing back, with rapid assessments being undertaken to ensure the people of Vanuatu have access to the services they need.
According to the VTO, communities and businesses are in clean-up mode, working hard to get back to normal as quickly as possible. In Port Vila, on the island of Efate, the Port Vila International Airport has been cleared for commercial operations, and airlines are in contact with their passengers with new flight schedules. The town centre has been cleared of debris, and restaurants and shops are now reopening.
The VTO has also been working closely with cruise companies to prepare approval for cruise berthing in Port Vila as well as diversions for ships to Luganville, on Santo. The VTO will publish new cruise itineraries shortly. While some essential services are yet to be restored across pockets of Port Vila, assessment teams are yet to report on the broader archipelago.
On the island of Espiritu Santo, the island is in operation, with properties cleaning up debris and opening their doors for business. However, some telecommunication services on the southern part of the island were damaged and are yet to resume.
VTO CEO, Ms Adela Issachar Aru, said the organisation is thankful for the support received to date from the international community who have sent messages of support and assistance to many of the country’s remote areas. “While many local communities in Vanuatu have been impacted, we can also report that so many of our tourism operators are fully operational and will be welcoming new guests this week as flights have now resumed,” Ms Aru said.
The VTO recognizes that those visitors affected by the cyclone this past week have not had the holiday they expected, and they are working with accommodation providers to ensure partners are provided with up-to-date information on this. The VTO will continue to share updates in due course and invites agents and partners to contact its Australian office at vanuatu@gtitourism.com.au for any support required or questions regarding individual properties and operators.
Vanuatu is a resilient country, and its people are working hard to rebuild and bounce back. Despite the challenges, the tourism industry is ready to welcome visitors and share the beauty and warmth of this incredible destination with the world once again.
Written by: Kevin Hall
