Warren Gama Joins Vanuatu Tourism Office As The New Business Intelligence Manager

The Vanuatu Tourism Office (VTO) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Warren Gama as the new Business Intelligence Manager. Warren is responsible for managing tourism surveys, data and insights. This includes planning, organising, and executing market research and surveys in the tourism source markets as well as facilitating data collection and insights to support both domestic and international tourism. 

Warren is not new to the tourism industry. His previous roles included providing coaching and training activities to tourism operators in the provinces including supporting various business stakeholders within the Vanuatu Productive Sector, as a Technical Advisor of the Vanuatu Skills Partnership. “I am excited and pleased to welcome Warren to the team. Warren’s Role is crucial in a time where accurate and timely data is needed to complement much of VTO’s ongoing activities to help sustain tourism businesses in this difficult time as well as forecasting and preparing for what’s to come”, says VTO’s Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Adela Issachar Aru. 

Says Warren of his new role: “We live in a time where change is the new constant, and somehow we have to also plan for change and I am very excited to take on this challenge in my new role.I look forward to working with the team at the Vanuatu Tourism Office, the various relevant Government agencies and, most importantly, our tourism industry partners . I look forward to strengthening corporate and business relationships with our key stakeholders in Vanuatu.” VTO is also pleased to welcome Ms. Ruth Kaltongga as the new Data Analytics Officer who will be working alongside Mr Warren Gama in the Business Intelligence Program.’’

Ms Ruthy Kaltongga – Data Analytics Officer

Research & Intelligence Working Group

Warren and Ruth have recently established a Research & Intelligence Technical Working Group whose members are composed of: 

• Vanuatu National Statistics Office
• Reserve Bank of Vanuatu
• Department of Tourism
• Vanuatu Tourism Office

Left to right: Warren Gama (VTO Business Intelligence Manager), Lea Faccarello (VTO Domestic & Long-Haul Markets Manager), Kehana Andrews (EcoTourism Officer DoT), Ruth Kaltongga (Data Analytics Officer, VTO), Paul Pio (VTO Short-Haul Markets & Interim Comms & Digital Assets Manager), Remah Arthur (Senior Officer Statistician, Vanuatu National Statistics Office), Adela Issachar Aru (CEO VTO), Alumeci Kaltongga (Senior Economist, RBV), Laurana Rakau (Project Officer, DoT).

The composition of the technical working group represents the collaboration aimed at achieving the objective of the program.

The tourism industry and government stakeholders need more relevant, more timely and more realistic data that can be leveraged to better monitor, manoeuvre, plan and achieve real recovery outcomes within the shifting travel ecosystem. Building partnerships to effectively address common challenges, collaborating with marketing and other programs will be pivotal for the Business Intelligence program, particularly against the backdrop of the pandemic. 

In 2021, The VTO implemented a number of changes in its organisational structure under the new 3 year Business Plan by restructuring the  Information, Research and Data Program creating the Business Intelligence Program and re-allocating the Travel and Information Centre functions into a reviewed  program entitled as the Domestic & Long Haul Markets Program. The Research and Intelligence activities remain under the Business Intelligence Program. 

This working group will meet once a month with the objectives of building decision making and enhancing tourism recovery through big data and travel insights. 

For any further information or query regarding research or data insights, please feel free to contact Warren Gama or Ruth Kaltongga on 22813 or email info@vanuatu.travel.

Vaccination Booster Shots

The Vanuatu Tourism Office staff received their booster shots last Thursday at the George Pompidou Vaccination Centre in Port-Vila. VTO is proud and committed to keeping our communities safe, and encourages everyone to come forward for their vaccinations.  Vaccination against COVID-19 is the best solution to protect yourself and everyone around you. The more people who get vaccinated against COVID-19, the better it is for everyone.