August 2007

The Travel Bug - Issue 30

Forum Trade Ministers Meet In Vanuatu

Forum Trade Ministers met in Port Vila, Vanuatu on 2 – 3 August 2007 to review the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) and its implementation, progress on implementation of the Regional Trade Facilitation Programme (RTFP) and a programme for the Standards & Conformance (S&C) component of the RTFP. They also considered the PACER-related Studies on a more comprehensive framework for trade and economic cooperation among Members – the Gap Analysis Study and Baseline Study Reports between FICs and Australia & New Zealand, a regional approach to World Trade Organisation (WTO) trade issues, intellectual property rights systems in the Forum Island Countries (FICs) and other issues. (Source: Forum Secretariat Press Statement 91/07 3rd August 2207)

Vanuatu Hotels Upgrades to New Website

The most comprehensive, informative and user friendly on-line booking web site to Vanuatu http://www.vanuatu-hotels.vu/ (VHL) has just got better! Vanuatu Hotels launched its first site in 2005 providing unprecedented service and inventory of accommodation for travellers to Vanuatu. Following two years of solid growth, the site has now been migrated to a much needed larger platform incorporating a range of new services for the traveller. General Manager of Vanuatu Hotels said, "One of this sites greatest attractions is its uncompromising honesty and respect to its customer; the traveller." "A rare find in today's proliferation of internet "book on-line" sites." "You will not find any advertising on Vanuatu Hotels only essential travel services and up to date facts for the traveller to make informed decisions." "VHL is not affiliated with any property or tour operator, therefore, does not have a vested interest in promoting or encouraging bookings to a select minority of suppliers." "Every property on VHL is provided with the same due diligence regardless of who they are or their commission. There is a lot of differentiation between VHL and its competitors with a core difference is that VHL is operated by real people, with real answers to travellers needs, by experienced Vanuatu specialists living in the destination not data generic text from some distant land." "We believe in people interacting with people not computers." "The range of accommodation VHL offers is more than triple our nearest rivals whilst offering 20 to 25% cheaper room rates and our business model is simple: we built it around the customer's needs first and foremost." "Our unique approach is endorsed by the number of positive traveller feedback we receive each week." "Travellers are finding that booking on-line can be not only a cost efficient way to book their holiday, but an enjoyable personal experience to boot." "The Lonely Planet has even picked up on this in their latest book on Vanuatu by listing Vanuatu Hotels as their choice for book on-line sites to the destination!" (Source: Travel Mole 30 July 2007)