Spread the love

The Vanuatu Tourism Office (VTO) has just wrapped-up its annual travel trade industry event, Tok Tok, with the highest number and widest variety of local operators in attendance, making its 17th edition the most influential yet.

VTO, alongside more than 57 local sellers – including 15 new operators – welcomed buyers from across Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Fiji, Singapore, China, Europe and the United States as they descended on the nation’s capital, Port Vila, to answer the call of Vanuatu and discover all that’s new in the South Pacific Island paradise.

Beginning with a business to business event at this year’s host venue Warwick Le Lagon, local operators and international businesses were able to connect over their common goal – to sell, promote and further drive visitation to the islands. The annual event also included a buyers’ function, featuring live local entertainment at the Port Vila Seafront Precinct that kicked things off on 29 August. This was followed by a handful of specially crafted famils across Efate, Tanna and Espiritu Santo, allowing attendees to create their own Vanuatu Moments as they experienced the islands’ rugged beauty, pristine oceans and warm Ni-Vanuatu spirit firsthand. The event culminated back in Port Vila with a finale Gala dinner on 31 August.

Vanuatu Tourism Office’s Chief Executive Officer, Adela Issachar Aru, said this year’s Tok Tok was particularly exciting, not only because they were truly able to highlight the destination’s variety of adventures with sellers from all provinces in attendance, but because it also coincided with the launch of VTO’s exciting new rebrand and marketing rally cry – Answer the Call of Vanuatu.

“Answer the Call of Vanuatu is more than just a campaign. Over time, it is our goal that it will become a way of doing business for the tourism industry and be integrated into a range of programs that improve the Vanuatu visitor experience – Tok Tok seemed only fitting to dovetail this announcement into. Between strengthening existing relationships and building new connections, our Tok Tok attendees were among the first to see our new-and-improved brand videos, along with the opportunity to get a true taste of what we’re all about. Guests were treated with an insight into our ancient traditions as the local women of Banks took to the sea in Espiritu Santo in customary island attire to express themselves through Water Music; they enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime fireworks display spilling from one of the world’s most accessible active volcanoes, Mt Yasur, on Tanna island; and savoured a fresh, Melanesian feast – served with a genuine smile,” said Ms Issachar Aru.

This year’s event was also thanks to Tok Tok’s major sponsor Air Vanuatu, who were thrilled to have been involved in another successful Tourism Exchange event.

Derek Nice, Air Vanuatu Chief Executive Officer said, “being a prime sponsor of Tok Tok Vanuatu for the last 17 consecutive years is just one of the ways in which Air Vanuatu plays a vital role in the development of tourism in Vanuatu. We’ve learned that a collaborative approach with other stakeholders is the key to success, which is why we are so enthusiastic to be partnering with the VTO for this important event. In June, Air Vanuatu launched its thrice weekly non-stop service to Melbourne and we are looking at expanding in the region and beyond. With the new Vanuatu Destination Brand launched by the VTO, coupled with the delivery of Air Vanuatu’s first of four advanced Airbus A220 aircraft in June 2020, Vanuatu is set to be THE destination of choice into the South Pacific.”