Life in the time of COVID-19 with Vanuatu Tourism Office’s Paul Pio

Life in the time of COVID-19 with Vanuatu Tourism Office’s Paul Pio

This week, Travel Weekly caught up with Vanuatu Tourism Office’s short-haul markets manager, Paul Pio, to find out how he’s been faring since the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

What are you reading?

Nothing in particular at this time, but I am constantly reading online news about our regional market updates on what other countries do to tackle COVID-19 and their plan to safely reopen borders.

What are you watching?

The Real Housewives of Atlanta.

What are you listening to?

Mariah Carey’s 90s classics.

What are you cooking?

Spaghetti bolognese.

How are you staying fit both physically and mentally?

I swim. I am lucky to live by the beach, so I get to enjoy the view, the serenity and the ocean every day.

What’s something positive you’ve witnessed or experienced since the coronavirus hit?

The resilience of the people of Vanuatu. With the border closure and the downturn in tourism, people have had to adapt their lifestyles and be innovative on how to sustain their livelihood.

What have you learned about yourself amid the crisis?

That I am my own person, and to never limit myself to what others think or say about me.

What’s your advice for others in the industry on coping with the crisis?

The ongoing situation is frustrating and everyone faces different levels of hardships depending on their personal circumstances.

Please get vaccinated! This is our ticket to safely reopen our borders in the future and to save our industry.

Where is your favourite domestic travel destination?

My most recent domestic travel trip was to Vanua Lava, an island located in the northern province of Vanuatu, less than an hour flight from Luganville, the second-largest town in Vanuatu.

What is the one international travel memory keeping you going through this time?

I often reminisce about my travel to Taiwan, which I came back from before the borders were closed in 2020. The genuine hospitality of the people of Taiwan and the protection of their native culture and environment, coupled with their technological advancement, is a model that I hope other countries could follow.

Where do you want to travel to once international travel restrictions ease up?

Probably to Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia (our main tourism source markets) to reconnect with our trade partners and to start rebuilding our tourism visitor numbers.

Latest News

  • Destinations
  • News

APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures

APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]

  • Cruise
  • Luxury
  • News

Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit

Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]

  • Luxury

Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa

Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]