Working Towards a Safe Reopening of Borders
Working Towards a Safe Reopening of Borders While Vanuatu's borders are closed to international tourists, the Department of Tourism (DoT) is rolling out business support programs as part of its Vanuatu Sustainable Tourism Strategy 2021 to 2025, in readiness for when border restrictions ease. Depending on meeting the vaccine rollout targets, this may be early to mid2022.
SAFE BUSINESS OPERATIONS PROGRAM
To date, the SBO coalition has delivered training workshops and awareness sessions to 2,008 participants in 1,323 businesses (tourism & non-tourism) across all provinces, with further sessions planned according to demand. World Vision, an SBO partner, has also delivered SBO awareness and hygiene kits to another 454 informal businesses, community groups, schools, and churches in the main urban areas of Port Vila, Luganville and Lenakel. To enrol in a session or enquire about Safe Business Operations training & awareness, you can go to the SBO Facebook Page Safe Business Operations Vanuatu, email
TOURISM BUSINESS SUPPORT PROGRAM
The Tourism Business Support Program has provided awareness and application assistance workshops in all of the Provinces. DoT has received 334 applications for funding, and independent auditors have begun verifying each applicant's documentation and status. Once all audits are completed, the TBSP Steering Committee will be making recommendations and approving TBSP applications. Under the TBSP, financial assistance is available in three categories:
➢ Tourism Business Survival Grants: for costs associated with cleaning, maintenance, gardening, security, safety and utility bills.
➢ Renewable Energy Subsidy Scheme: assistance for energy audit checks and purchasing equipment and appliances through the National Green Energy Fund.
➢ Agritourism Support Program: assistance for selected operators who have integrated the tourism and agriculture sectors into their products.
The TBSP application process remains open until 30th November 2021. Tourism operators can apply for TBSP online via the website below or go to their nearest DoT office to collect a paper application. For more information, email
CRUISE TOURISM PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
The DoT recently completed a feasibility study for an expedition ship based in Vanuatu, analysing a fly-cruise tourism product more conducive to sustainable tourism principles and increased Ni-Vanuatu benefits. They have also completed a Survey on Yachting Tourism and are working with various stakeholders to progress the Port Vila Wharf Management Plan.
AGRITOURISM SUPORT PROGRAM
The Produktif Turism Blong Yumi (PTBY) Initiative has piloted the Agritourism Product Development and Business Support Program mentoring 27 businesses that have formed the Vanuatu Agritourism Association. The association developed membership criteria that centre around the Niufala Rod Blo Turism and ensure agritourism businesses coming through the program in 2022 meet the values and vision of the Vanuatu Agritourism Association before membership is accepted. Expression of Interest forms for enrolment in the Agritourism Product Development and Business Support Program for 2022 will be accessible on the DoT website from 13th November. The PTBY team recently held local cuisine cooking demonstrations at the National Agriculture Week in Tanna and the Port Vila Handicraft Markethouse. This last demonstration was live-streamed through Facebook and used as part of a documentary called Pandemic Warriors by the Australian Broadcasting Commission (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNAeIGJTiO4). For more information, please email
To find out more about any of DoT's support programs, you can visit our website: www.tourism.gov.vu, call 33400 or visit your nearest Department of Tourism Office.
Working Towards a Safe Reopening of Borders While Vanuatu's borders are closed to international tourists, the Department of Tourism (DoT) is rolling out business support programs as part of its Vanuatu Sustainable Tourism Strategy 2021 to 2025, in readiness for when border restrictions ease. Depending on meeting the vaccine rollout targets, this may be early to mid2022.
SAFE BUSINESS OPERATIONS PROGRAM
To date, the SBO coalition has delivered training workshops and awareness sessions to 2,008 participants in 1,323 businesses (tourism & non-tourism) across all provinces, with further sessions planned according to demand. World Vision, an SBO partner, has also delivered SBO awareness and hygiene kits to another 454 informal businesses, community groups, schools, and churches in the main urban areas of Port Vila, Luganville and Lenakel. To enrol in a session or enquire about Safe Business Operations training & awareness, you can go to the SBO Facebook Page Safe Business Operations Vanuatu, email
TOURISM BUSINESS SUPPORT PROGRAM
The Tourism Business Support Program has provided awareness and application assistance workshops in all of the Provinces. DoT has received 334 applications for funding, and independent auditors have begun verifying each applicant's documentation and status. Once all audits are completed, the TBSP Steering Committee will be making recommendations and approving TBSP applications. Under the TBSP, financial assistance is available in three categories:
➢ Tourism Business Survival Grants: for costs associated with cleaning, maintenance, gardening, security, safety and utility bills.
➢ Renewable Energy Subsidy Scheme: assistance for energy audit checks and purchasing equipment and appliances through the National Green Energy Fund.
➢ Agritourism Support Program: assistance for selected operators who have integrated the tourism and agriculture sectors into their products.
The TBSP application process remains open until 30th November 2021. Tourism operators can apply for TBSP online via the website below or go to their nearest DoT office to collect a paper application. For more information, email
CRUISE TOURISM PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
The DoT recently completed a feasibility study for an expedition ship based in Vanuatu, analysing a fly-cruise tourism product more conducive to sustainable tourism principles and increased Ni-Vanuatu benefits. They have also completed a Survey on Yachting Tourism and are working with various stakeholders to progress the Port Vila Wharf Management Plan.
AGRITOURISM SUPORT PROGRAM
The Produktif Turism Blong Yumi (PTBY) Initiative has piloted the Agritourism Product Development and Business Support Program mentoring 27 businesses that have formed the Vanuatu Agritourism Association. The association developed membership criteria that centre around the Niufala Rod Blo Turism and ensure agritourism businesses coming through the program in 2022 meet the values and vision of the Vanuatu Agritourism Association before membership is accepted. Expression of Interest forms for enrolment in the Agritourism Product Development and Business Support Program for 2022 will be accessible on the DoT website from 13th November. The PTBY team recently held local cuisine cooking demonstrations at the National Agriculture Week in Tanna and the Port Vila Handicraft Markethouse. This last demonstration was live-streamed through Facebook and used as part of a documentary called Pandemic Warriors by the Australian Broadcasting Commission (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNAeIGJTiO4). For more information, please email
To find out more about any of DoT's support programs, you can visit our website: www.tourism.gov.vu, call 33400 or visit your nearest Department of Tourism Office.