Carnival Cruise Line’s Donations Support Vanuatu’s Outer Island Tourism Operators

Friday, 10 July 2026 – Port Vila, — Carnival Cruise Line has made a generous donation to support local communities and tourism operators across Vanuatu, during a visit by the Carnival Adventure to Port Vila on Friday, 10 July 2026.

In a handover ceremony held at the Seafront area in Port Vila today, the Carnival Adventure’s crew disembarked and delivered the donated items directly on site. The donation included 600 drinking glasses and 1,500 plates and bowls, with a further 300 tables to be provided by the crew tomorrow, 11 July 2026. These items will be gifted to outer island bungalow, guesthouse, homestays operators who have faced significant economic challenges over the past two years.

Director of the Department of Tourism, Mr. Paul Pio, formally received the donated goods on behalf of the beneficiary operators and expressed the Department’s gratitude for the partnership.

“We truly appreciate Carnival’s continued partnership and commitment to the growth of Vanuatu’s tourism industry. This gesture will make a tangible difference to the small business owners in our remote provinces,” Mr. Pio said.

Carnival Cruise Line’s Vice President External Affairs, Ms. Sandy Olsen, said the cruise line was proud to play a role in supporting a destination that holds a special place in the hearts of its guests.
“We thank the Department of Tourism for ensuring this tableware reaches tourism operators who need it most. Vanuatu is a much-loved destination for our guests and an important part of our South Pacific itineraries,” Ms. Olsen said.

Director Paul Pio (DOT), Lopanga Yerta Ores (Vice-Chairlady PSC Day 2026) and Captian Franceso Bencivenga (Carnival Adventure ship)

Also in attendance was Ms Lopanga Yerta Ores, Vice-Chairlady of the Public Service Day 2026 event, who delivered remarks on behalf of the organizing committee. Ms. Ores expressed sincere gratitude to both the Department of Tourism and Carnival Cruise Line for their generous support to the families and host communities of Rah Island and Motalava, who will be welcoming guests during the week-long Public Service Day celebrations in Torba Province later this year.

“We are excited and we are prepared. The communities of Rah and Motalava are ready to receive our guests, and this donation will greatly assist our hosts in providing a warm and comfortable welcome. We recognize the challenges faced by smaller operators on our remote islands, and it is heartening to see partners like Carnival and the Department of Tourism standing alongside them ahead of this muchanticipated event,” Ms. Ores said.

The ceremony was also attended by Mr. Noah Patrick Kouback, Director General of the Ministry of Trade and Commerce, who marked the occasion by presenting a plaque of appreciation to Carnival Adventure Captain Francesco Bencivenga and his team, in recognition of the cruise line’s generosity and its ongoing commitment to Vanuatu. The gesture underscored the Ministry’s strong support for the cruise tourism sector and its contribution to community livelihoods across Vanuatu’s provinces.

The donated tableware will be distributed to guesthouse, bungalow and homestay operators in Rah and Motalava Islands, Torba Province, ahead of the Public Service Day event anticipated for October 2026.Carnival Cruise Line remains committed to supporting Vanuatu and fostering strong relationships with local communities.