Vanuatu Tourism Office successfully hosts first Tok Tok in four years
It’s all smiles at the Vanuatu Tourism Office (VTO) this week as the tourism board wraps up the successful hosting of its first Tok Tok trade industry event since 2019.
Held between 28 August – 4 September, more than 63 local operators welcomed 41 buyers from six nations – including the likes of Omniche Holidays, Expedia and Ignite from Australia – as they Answered the Call of Vanuatu and discovered all that’s new across the country’s 83 islands.
The week of events and festivities commenced with a buzzing cocktail evening at Banyan Beach Bar on Tuesday, 29th August, hosted by major Tok Tok sponsor Air Vanuatu.
Tailored site visits across Efate kicked off on Wednesday, 30th August, allowing first-time visitors a taste of the destination’s attractions and properties and those that have travelled before the opportunity to reconnect with the product they know as well as explore the latest openings.
The night of Wednesday, 30th August was the Vanuatu Marketplace Welcome Function, a celebration of the Department of Tourism’s Made in Vanuatu program, which heroes the wide and varied spectrum of products that are created, grown or developed in Vanuatu.
Then, Friday 1st September played host to a business-to-business day – a Tok Tok mainstay, it brought local operators and international sellers together over a series of one-on-one meetings to discuss opportunities to sell, promote and drive visitation to Vanuatu in 2024 and beyond before a glittering gala dinner at Warwick Le Lagon’s beachfront.
Finally, to showcase the allure of Vanuatu’s outer islands, international buyers were welcomed on a curated itinerary to Espiritu Santo or Tanna. Visits to the islands’ major accommodations and experiences featured, as well as opportunities to take in their natural beauty.
Vanuatu Tourism Office CEO, Adela Issachar Aru, said this year’s Tok Tok was particularly special, being the first since the country’s borders reopened in 2022.
“Tok Tok 2023 was all about reconnection. Reconnecting with friends and colleagues and the places in Vanuatu that we know travellers from all over the world love,” said Mrs Issachar Aru.
“The week was a showcase of Ni-Vanuatu hospitality and of all the wonderful reasons to sell and visit Vanuatu – the amazing locally-made products, the charm of our resorts and hotels, the breadth of adventures on offer and the beauty of our outer islands. We hope the Tok Tok 2023 experience has left our partners motivated to contract and sell Vanuatu, and we look forward to hopefully welcoming even more travellers to Answer the Call of Vanuatu in 2024 as a result.”
Omniche Holidays Destination Manager, Belinda Burris-Scott, said the event was a wonderful chance to connect with the wholesaler’s partners.
“Tok Tok 2023 was an incredibly uplifting reunion for the tourism industry. To reconnect face-to-face with our Vanuatu partners and reassure them of our passion and commitment to help them rebuild after such a tough time was a fantastic opportunity,” said Ms Burris-Scott.
Greg Wilson, Chief Commercial Officer of Tok Tok 2023 major sponsor, Air Vanuatu, added that the airline was delighted to be part of the event, using it as a platform to share scheduling news and updates with buyers from across the world.
“Air Vanuatu has been a major sponsor of Tok Tok for the last 18 years as it’s always such a fantastic opportunity to connect with partners, forge connections and foster opportunities for the year ahead,” said Mr Wilson.
“All discussions have been immensely positive, with buyers expressing their excitement to contract and sell Vanuatu in 2024. We look forward to welcoming travellers on board with our signature warm Pacific welcome and the brightest smiles in the South Pacific!”
For trade updates on Vanuatu, please visit www.vanuatuspecialists.com.au and consumer updates at www.vanuatu.travel/au.
Latest News
Top four airports report return to profit after post-Covid period comes to an end
The aeronautical operations of Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney airports returned to profit in 2022-23, the first full financial year since the end of COVID-19 travel restrictions, the ACCC’s latest Airport Monitoring Report shows. In contrast, all four monitored airports reported losses on their aeronautical operations in 2021-22. A return to profit was helped by […]
COMO launches new family-sized farmhouse in the heart of Tuscany
COMO Hotels and Resorts has launched its new farmhouse apartments in the heart of Tuscany, just in time for Australians to escape our wet winter. And it’s also an ideal time for Aussies of Italian ancestry to explore their home country as 2024 has been declared the year of Roots and Heritage Tourism by the […]
Green light, green fuel for Townsville Airport as passenger numbers set to double to 3.7m
The Townsville Airport Master Plan, including the expansion of the airport terminal and development of the surrounding precinct, has been given the green light by the Federal Government. The 2023 plan outlined Townsville Airport’s strategic vision and growth objectives over the next two decades, with a detailed focus on the initial eight years. Townsville Airport […]
New Caledonia in lockdown and airport closed after violent riots rock Noumea
New Caledonia officials have announced a 6pm-6am curfew, a liquor ban and have closed the country’s main airport after overnight riots in which vehicles were torched and roads blocked in the wake of proposed constitutional reforms. Australian Government website Smartraveller has issued an alert informing visitors to exercise a high degree of caution in metropolitan […]
‘Appalling’: Alliance for Gambling Reform CEO describes gaming rules at sea after P&O death
Gambling reform policy makers are shocked at the news surrounding the passing of a guest onboard last week.
Sydney gets excited for Vivid at the city’s favourite entertainment venues
Get lit! Well maybe not the kiddies, but there is a heap of bright and colourful events on at Vivid Sydney 2024.
Novotel Cabramatta launch reveals the start of new hotel and F&B partnership
Brothers will offer hotels bang for their buck in Sydney's booming southwest.
Roots & Heritage Tourism in 2024 with Italian Tourist Board’s Emanuele Attanasio: Travel Weekly TV
Don't blame us if you're yearning for a carb-filled pasta lunch after watching this week's episode!
Aeronology accepted into Virtuoso network as travel-tech company continues to thrive
Aeronology's the new kid on the block making big waves and lucky for you, we're here to get you up to speed.
Qantas suspends flights to Shanghai due to low demand
Low demand prompts Qantas to drop its Sydney-Shanghai flights like a hot dumpling.
From Castle Hill to Paris, local wellness cosmetics brand makes good in world’s best hotels
The harsh glare of our monitors on the news desk have been relieved somewhat by this local brand done good...
Ponant’s $2500 flight credit reward for polar expeditions booked by ANZ travellers
Tap into your inner explorer an save a couple of $K on flights? The trade-off will be frozen fingers.
Portugal, Spain or Morocco? Here’s how to spend a European summer in 2024
Hit a festival in Spain, enjoy a Portuguese tart or take in the raw beauty of North Africa. This feature has it all!
Vietjet’s summer lucky draw event, plus business flights slashed in half
It's not even winter yet and Vietjet's already talking about summer. We certainly aren't judging them!
ERDI offers a path for hospitality leaders of the future, says hotel group CEO
Teaching the next gen in hospo how to serve drinks, take a restaurant order and hold a conversation - yep we're in!
Marketing costs double for tourism operators as Australia’s global footprint shrinks
Cost of living crisis? Forgeddaboutit! If you run a tourism business, your costs have doubled since Covid.
APT adds fourth ship to Travelmarvel fleet in Europe to meet demand
APT punches above its weight in European river cruising - let's see what its got when it comes to naming conventions.
Getting married? W Melbourne has three new packages perfect for the special day
The 'W' themed lights and settings are optional, we hope!
SKYE Suites gets behind Australian Fashion Week, partners with Shark Beauty
We were hoping to get a start at a fashion week event, but apparently our dress sense wasn't up to scratch...
Roadshow Vietnam focus on Ho Chi Minh City heads to Sydney and Melbourne
It's all happening tomorrow in Parramatta and we're sure you'll be able to find a good bahn mi somewhere.
NCL announces two new Aussie BDMs as cruising goes from strength to strength
Cruising may be getting stronger, but we want to know which new BDM is the strongest. We should arrange an arm wrestle.
Inspiring Vacations announces Josh Grocke to new partnerships role
We're sure the best partnerships come about over a long lunch, something Josh will certainly be looking forward to.
Dondra Ritzenthaler announced as Azamara’s new CEO
Dondra's got big news to celebrate, meanwhile we're celebrating a break in the rain today in Sydney.
TTC’s hosting a masterclass series for Aussie agents unlocking the secrets of its five brands
Become an agent of many hats with TTC's new masterclass series!
Dorsett Melbourne appoints new director of sales Maggie Wong
This top female team at the Dorsett Melbourne aims to take the hotel to new heights - even the lucky eighth floor.
Western Sydney Tourism unveils fresh board ahead of ’26 airport opening
'Connect-Stay-Experience', that's the Western Sydney's tourism taskforce's motto. We sort of prefer 'West Is Best'!
From Olympians to mindset coaches, Helloworld’s OMC conference wraps in style
Say hello to a good time and make sure you're at 2025's edition!
Bunnik Tours welcomes KJ Phillips as the new BDM for QLD
We apologise in advance for winding Karen up as our State of Origin sledging begins to ramp up.
Drifter to usher in new age of affordable hybrid accommodation in Christchurch
Sort of like a hostel, but far, far ritzier!
Icebergs restaurateur Terzini joins Mangan at Sydney International Airport
Forget McDonald's or the sushi that's been there all day, dining at Sydney Airport just got a whole let better!
Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge: A beacon of luxury in the Kruger
If the lead image wasn't enough to convince you this is next-level luxury, take a peep inside.
Delegates ready for Africa’s travel showcase Travel Indaba at Durban ICC
How's it? We've requested a bag full of biltong on our reporter's return from this shindig.
APT’s world-first hydraulic-powered restaurant and bar ‘will be the envy of river cruises’
It may have been laughed off at first mention in the APT offices, but now it's here, APT are on top of the game!
Administrators appointed in wake of Air Vanuatu collapse – but there is hope
Another one bites the dust. We hope you sang to the tune when reading that!
South Australian beach crowned best ‘hidden gem’ in the country
Stoked baby! Or was that a typo?
Avalon Airport champions low-cost rail connection from Melbourne CBD
Avalon rail connection? Bring it on! In two years, say officials, but we say they've got Buckley's.