At this year’s tourism trade show Tok Tok in the South Pacific Vanuatu, the leading representatives of the tourism industry met in Port Vila to discuss new products and services for the local tourism industry. The number of attendances during the first day was expected to increase by 50%, according to the Vanuatu Tourism Office (VTO). The 11th Tok Tok tourism trade show took place in the outer area at the Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu.

Air Vanuatu is the local carrier that brings tourists to the 80 islands

Overall, more than 70 buyers and journalists were delegated from all over the world to attend the fair and meet up with over 100 local travel agencies and provincial local tourist offices. The visitors had the opportunity to see and to experience the touristic highlights of Vanuatu and its largest islands by themselves during the event. VTO said that this combination of holiday and work for international visitors is part of their strategy to establish strong relationships between buyers and sellers for further business in 2015. These first-hand experiences are very popular for buyers and give a close impression of the diverse and impressive features of the South Pacific region. The main touristic islands in Vanuatu also attended the fair with an own stand on the fair and provided their unique highlights to its international visitors. These main islands were: Espirito Santo, Tanna and for the first time to attend the fair, the island of Malekula. While Espirito Santo attracts sporty enthusiastic tourists who can dive to the ship wreck of the SS President Coolidge or wander through the pitch-black Millennium Caves, the island of Tanna offers its visitors a unique view into the constantly active volcano Mount Yasur which leaves a remarkable impression after the sunset. On the almost untouched 80 islands of Vanuatu you can find a suitable activity for nearly every wish.

VTO on the strategic orientation of the fair and their marketing objectives

General Manager of the VTO, Linda Kalpoi, previously said: “Tok Tok 2014 is an important part of the holistic tourism strategy for all 80 islands in Vanuatu. It offers a unique opportunity to move Vanuatu in the international focus of the tourism industry and is important to increase the operating business for every single island.”

Kalpoi also said that “Tok Tok 2014 is a very valuable event on our calendar and this year we have decided to incorporate the theme “Vanuatu and its cultures” to get our visitors thinking about Vanuatu as a diverse destination with plenty to offer beyond the popular “fly and flop” holiday experience as it is often regarded for.”

This focus is to set up a new image of the way how visitors think about Vanuatu as a tourist destination and change it from a destination for short-term travelers to a destination for long-term travelers who want to explore all different unique parts and activities of the 80 islands. Due to events like Tok Tok, the entire region can rely on its cultural roots to ensure that Vanuatu is perceived as an international high quality long-term holiday region.

It can also be seen as a milestone of Tok Tok 2014 that: “This is the first year that every provincial tourism office will be represented at Tok Tok“ said Kalpoi. For every delegate, this is a sign of the importance to communicate on a direct face to face platform where all participants meet in one place.

On August 29, the Tourism Fair Tok Tok 2014 ended with a gala dinner and a speech of the deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Honorary Ham Lini Vanuaroroa on the island of Iririki in the Iririki Island Resort.

Impressions from our editor Robert Raback on the spot: