Tanna Tourism Recovery Project Trains Over 30 On Accommodation Service

Developed by the Vanuatu Qualification Authority (VQA) and delivered by the Vanuatu Institute of Technology (VIT) in collaboration with the Skills for Economic Growth Program (TVET), this Certificate I in Tourism (accommodation service) aims to improve customer service to visitors while staying at a bungalow or accommodation.

The training is part of the Tanna Tourism Recovery Project (TTRP) initiated after cyclone Pam to assist small tourism operators get back on their feet and start improving livelihoods.
Participants came from bungalows that are engaged in the project on east and west Tanna.
The training will improve their (participants) customer skills such as cleaning, doing laundry, cooking, and making a bed, said the Skills for Economic Growth Program Coordinator, Warren Gama.
Food safety, cooking and hygiene and room decoration are some topics covered.
Tanna Tourism Recovery Project is funded by the government of Australia, through the Governance for Growth Program. First phase of the project started last year focusing on renovation while phase II which is expected to kick off soon targets improving customer service to meet visitor’s demand and satisfaction.

While bungalows, restaurants and bars are being renovated, the project also aims to ensure that services must also meet national and international standards set by the Department of Tourism (DoT), Coordinator Gama added.
Currently, these bungalows are receiving mostly local government workers.
This will change once the Tanna major road rehabilitation project is complete, said the Tafea Tourism Business Development Officer, Jimmy Kawiel. He said the new road will mean more international visitors.
The Director of the Governance for Growth Program, Matthew Harding, said the second phase of TTRP is around Vt29 million.