Local Producers Welcome Initiative On Board P&O Cruise

In an interview with Vanuatu Nightly News Kizzy Kalsakay, Ms Sandrine Wallace from ACTIV said they were lucky to be chosen to have their products exhibit onboard and also for purchasing by tourists who visit country.
“It was a big day for our local products from Aniwa, Malekula, Pentecost, Shepherd Islands and other islands to be displayed,” she said.

Ms Wallace said that by January they will be getting feedbacks to see which products have more demand so they can be able to supply.
“We have four more cruise liners under P&O Cruises where will have our products sold in so it is going to be big demand, so we looking forward to feedbacks to increase our supply bigger quantity for all five ships,” she said.
Tanna Farm’s Jono Bushell said that it was a great opportunity to showcase Vanuatu’s local products and show what wonderful things this country has to offer to a wider audience.
“Just walking around in the ship (in the Pacific Aria) it was obvious that not all of the tourists get out there and they have no idea what they are missing,” he said.
“It was another opportunity to show the people what we have available here, it is not only selling your products onboard, this people will not only buy your products but they will go back to New Zealand and Australia and be able to tell others that they have purchased these wonderful produce from Vanuatu.”
Mr Bushell said that the local producers can used this as a vehicle to extend the purchasing the purchasing of their products in other countries as well to generate income for the local manufacturers.

Speaking to VNN Kizzy Kalsakau’s , Vanuatu Tourism Office General Manager, Adela Aru, said that this was a milestone initiative for Vanuatu’s local producers.
“For the first time we have managed to engage Carnival Corporation to enter into an arrangement where we can get locally made items where they be sold and promoted inside the ship,” she said.
“This initiative was assessed and developed over the years with support from IFC and on behalf of VTO and local producers are very happy and privileged to confirm to those in the islands can be channelled across to manufacturers in Port Vila and from there it can end up in a cruise ship and sold to tourists.”
Mrs Aru said that this is part of what they called Vanuatu experience where they can get a piece of Vanuatu memorabilia back to their homes and can confirmed that they have been to Vanuatu.
“For that we are thankful for all the producers, communities, Vanuatu government and donors who have supported this project.”
Photo caption: P&O Cruise President Sture Myrmell and ACTIV representative in front of the market place on board Pacific Aira
 
(Source: Vanuatu Daily Post 17 December 2016)