Vanuatu Tourism Office (VTO) has taken the Tok Tok Vanuatu roadshow to Australia for the first time, bringing 19 local tourism operators to Brisbane and Sydney to meet more than 120 travel advisors and 49 VIP trade, industry and media guests.
Held on 13 and 14 October, it was the first Tok Tok since 2023 and follows strong growth from Vanuatu’s largest source market. There were more than 48,000 Australian arrivals to Vanuatu in the first seven months of 2026, up 38 per cent year-on-year. Australia has made up more than 60 per cent of visitors for three decades.
The delegation included VTO representatives, Members of Parliament and operators, including Vanuatu Eco Tours, Bountiful Tours and Transfers and Iririki Island Resort.
VIP lunches at Lina’s Rooftop in Brisbane and ivy Sunroom in Sydney gave guests a taste of what sets Vanuatu apart. The 83 island archipelago is home to active volcanoes, world class diving and kastom traditions that remain part of everyday Ni-Vanuatu life. Advisors were encouraged to look beyond Port Vila to Espiritu Santo and Tanna, for adventure, cultural immersion and stays with small, locally owned tourism businesses.
Evening events turned to business, with small group meetings giving advisors direct access to the operators behind the experiences. 14 lucky travel advisors went home with a range of prizes, including a three-night stay at Tamanu on the Beach and return Jetstar flights to Port Vila.
Vanuatu Tourism Office’s CEO Adela Issachar Aru said the Australian debut marked an important step in bringing the destination’s tourism industry closer to one of its most important source markets.
“Vanuatu offers much more than a beach holiday, our culture is a core part of the visitor experience. Meeting our partners face-to-face allowed us to introduce local operators and give advisors greater confidence to recommend experiences across our islands.”
“Australia is the heartbeat of Vanuatu’s tourism industry. Tok Tok Vanuatu on Tour gave us the opportunity to reconnect with our Australian partners who hold the key to sharing our stories and inspiring travellers,” said Adela.
“We want our partners to leave not only inspired but equipped to help more Australian travellers discover Vanuatu in 2027.”
Building on the momentum of Tok Tok on Tour’s Australian debut, VTO will continue investing in trade initiatives that support travel advisors and turn strong Australian interest into visitation in 2027 and beyond.
