Firstly, we work with a range of stakeholders ranging from keen ni-Vanuatu who want to get into tourism, existing tourism operators, foreign investors, government agencies, ngo’s, donors, airlines, cruiseliners, tour operators, travel agents, transport operators, chiefs, local governments, farmers, civil society, general public and many more.
The tourism product development flow chart system is a clear step by step process developed in partnership with the TVET for Tourism program in 2012 and has produced a wealth of toolkits that tourism officers are able to use in assisting operators complete the development of the product. Starting with the essential client contact to business plan development, informations about tourism product standards, the team will then approve for a product action plan that will guide a new operator on every step of the way for completing their tourism product.
An average of 6 months would be a suitable timeframe for starting and completing a product depending on its scale and target market. The team will work with the client and advise on how to commence and complete the first priorities for developing the tourism product.
In completion of the process, marketing collaterals such as brochures, flyers, website, social media sites and networking with tour operators, call centres, inbound operators and or travel agents will confirm that the process is complete and the tourism product is ready to be launched.
However, for any tourism business the process of developing products is never ending. After the product is launched there will always be upgrading and enhancements made to ensure that the quality of the product is always fresh for delivery.
Tourism Product Development Flow Chart
The process runs in four stages, from first contact through to the product going to market. The numbers in each stage follow the order of the steps; the bracketed tools are the toolkits an officer uses at that point.
Stage 1
Investment Process
2–4 weeks
- 1Interview
- 2Site visitTool 1
- 3DeclineOutcome of the site visit
- 4ApprovalOutcome of the site visit — Tool 2
- 5Client files created
- 6Tools providedRegistration of product (Tool 3); membership of association (Tool 4)
Stage 2
Product Development Process
3–8 weeks
- 7PDO develops an action plan for the clientTool 5
- 8Assist the client to implement the action plan
- 9Site checks by the PDO against the action plan checklist
- 10Final checks to ensure the product is complete
- 11Independent assessor inspects the productTool 6
Stage 3
Standard Process
1–2 weeks
- 12PAO determines the outcome of both assessments
- 13Certified: the product is awarded a certificate and decal for meeting minimum requirementsOutcome of the assessments
- 14Non-compliant: the client is referred to the standard checklistOutcome of the assessments
Stage 4
Marketing Process
2–4 weeks
- 15PDO finalises the product profile and assists in developing marketing collateralTool 7
- 16Assist the client to organise the product launch
- 17Accredited product uploaded to the DoT, VTO and tour operator websites