Department of Tourism takes tourism development to Aneityum and Futuna

Thursday, 10th September 2026 – Port Vila, Vanuatu: The Department of Tourism has completed a tourism development mission to Aneityum and Futuna, the two southernmost islands of Tafea Province, as part of its programme to grow tourism in the outer islands beyond the established cruise and Tanna markets. The mission, undertaken from 30 August to 6 September 2026 by the Manager of the Tafea Tourism Office, Mr. Jimmy Tom Noale, assessed tourism products, consulted communities and operators and raised awareness of sustainable tourism investment.

Aneityum: looking beyond Mystery Island

On Aneityum, the Department met the executives of Aneityum Tourism Limited and the Aneityum Tourism Association at Anelghuat, and visited Port Patrick, Anelghuat Station, Umej and the operators on Mystery Island. While Mystery Island remains one of Vanuatu’s best-known cruise destinations, the mission focused on what mainland Aneityum can offer visitors arriving by other means: kastom and cultural experiences, botanical and conservation tourism, hiking, agritourism and community-run homestays, guesthouses and bungalows. Operators were encouraged to diversify beyond cruise days and received guidance on permits and standards, packaging, pricing and marketing.

The coast of mainland Aneityum, seen from the sea.

Orchid nursery on Aneityum: botanical tourism is among the products identified on the mainland.

Futuna: a first step towards opening the island to visitors

On Futuna, Mr. Noale met the Council of Chiefs, the Community Liaison Officer and the Honorable Councilor at Mission Bay and presented on tourism investment and the Department’s code of conduct at Ishia School, Herald Bay. A site visit around the island identified opportunities for small-scale cultural, community-based and nature tourism, guided experiences and accommodation. The Department will now seek the Council of Chiefs’ formal endorsement of tourism on Futuna, develop a priority product list and include the island in provincial tourism planning.

Members of the Futuna Council of Chiefs with the Department’s tourism investment and code of conduct materials, Herald Bay.

“Both islands have what visitors are looking for: living kastom, an untouched natural environment and communities that want to share it,” Mr Noale said. “Our job is to help operators turn that into products that can be packaged, priced and sold, while the community stays in control of how tourism develops on their island. On Futuna it was important to begin with the chiefs.”

Growth on both islands is constrained by the lack of domestic air and sea connectivity, limited infrastructure, skills gaps, access to finance and marketing exposure. The Department will respond with a priority product development programme, targeted training, improved visitor information and coordination with government agencies and development partners on infrastructure and investment.

“Tafea is more than Tanna and more than a cruise ship day on Mystery Island,” Director of the Department of Tourism, Mr. Paul Pio, said. “Aneityum and Futuna are exactly the kind of destinations the Vanuatu Sustainable Tourism Policy asks us to develop authentic, community-owned and spread across the provinces. The Department is committed to destination development in the outer islands, and this mission is the first of a regular programme of visits, training and technical support.”