New Vanuatu Offerings Give Tok Tok Edge For Buyers

A number of new exhibitors and experiences on show at Tok Tok, on Iririki, Port Vila right now mean that international wholesale buyers will be kept busy updating themselves on what is available now in Vanuatu.
Highlights will include the revealing of some of the large infrastructure programmes that have been completed in Vanuatu.
On 1 September 2017 the new Seafront precinct and Parklands area will officially open. Funded by NZ Aid the 1.2km walkway which runs along the Port Vila Harbour adds a new experience to city.
Renovations to the Bauerfield Airport terminal are underway and due for completion at the end of the year. The new cruise ship wharf in Espiritu Santo has been completed and was officially opened on 20 August this year.

The new boutique resort The Moso (on Moso Island) north of Port Vila is exhibiting, as is Ramada Resort Port Vila, a high profile property that opened in May 2017.
Also on show is Tamanu Beach Resort, which reopened in November. The Melanesian Hotel, well known in the New Zealand market,
has new function facilities, while Iririki Island Resort & Spa also has a new event space.

Delegates also report being interested in Barrier Beach Resort, a partnership between Barrier Beach House and Moyan Resort, and also recent developments at the totally new look Friendly Beach Resort on Tanna, which had its offical re-opening in May.

It is a busy couple of days for most buyers, who are completely booked out with one on one meetings. ‘I’ve got appointments through my breaks as well just to make sure I get to see everyone,’ says Crystal Wang, CTS Tours.

While the weather held out nicely for the pre-Tok Tok famils, the much needed rain has finally shown up for Vanuatu – making it a bit of a muggy start to the event for delegates and slightly more logistical work for the organisers.

This is Tok Tok’s 14th year and second year at Iririki Island Resort & Spa which is just a short ferry trip from the main centre in Port Vila.
There are 51 buyers from eight countries, with six companies from New Zealand represented. Twenty companies from Australia, five from New Caledonia, six from North America and buyers from China, Japan and Fiji are also in the mix.

The first day concluded yesterday with a hosted dinner for buyers at Warwick Le Lagon.
Tanna famil wraps up at Tok Tok

Vanuatu Tourism Office (VTO) and Tok Tok organisers spoilt buyers for choice with three pre-famil options to Tanna, Santo or Efate. Twenty buyers headed to Tanna – an island hit hard by Cyclone Pam two years ago but with much to offer now that recovery is well underway. After a quick lunch at Whitegrass buyers headed by 4WDs to a traditional Tanna village, Lowinia, where they were greeted by the welcoming screams of ‘hiiiiiiii’ and frantic waves from every local kid that was passed along the way. On arrival at the village they were welcomed by host Annie Lati and chief Steven Loughman. Preparation of traditional local food hangi-style (taro, sweet potato and spinach) was a highlight of the visit. Cultural insight included learning girls are married out to other villages while men stay with their own village. The evening journey to the volcano called into Friendly Beach Resort to see its rebuild after being completely destroyed by Cyclone Pam in 2015. It’s an ideal site on other side of island from Whitegrass and within half an hour drive to the volcano. At the active volcano Mt Yasur buyers were greeted by Entani Tours which has been in business for two years. The company has worked hard to professionalise the tours – a path with rails has been created so clients can walk up safely instead of climbing over volcanic rocks.
 
(Source: TRAVELonc MEMO 01 September 2017 Issue 1036)