December 2006

The Travel Bug - Issue 22

Vanuatu 2007 Calendar of Events online

The Vanuatu Tourism Office has recently uploaded year 2007 Calendar of Events. If you’re a regular visitor to Vanuatu, or are planning a visit in 2007, you will find the Calendar of Events on the VTO official site www.vanuatutourism.com. (Source: The Tribal Drum 06/12/06)

Vanuatu and Solomons Welcome New Air Link

Hundreds gathered earlier this week in Sanma Province, in northern Vanuatu, to join Prime Minister Ham Lini and members of his cabinet to welcome the inaugural flight of the newly-leased Solomon Airlines aircraft. The inaugural Solomon Airlines flight from Brisbane to Honiara and Santos, Vanuatu was met with cheers from the crowd of spectators as it touched down at Pekoa Airport. Speaking during the welcome ceremony, which was held in front of the new Pekoa Airport, Vanuatu's Finance Minister Willie Jimmie told the delegation from Solomon Islands that the new air service will strengthen the ties between the two neighbouring Melanesian countries. Minister Jimmie congratulated the Solomon Islands government for its bold step in opening up the new international air link. For his part, Vanuatu Prime Minister Ham Lini thanked the authorities of both countries who had been involved in making the new service possible. Traditional dancers and several string bands joined the crowds in welcoming the delegation from Solomon Islands led by Finance Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo. Around 48 people from Solomon Islands including ministers, permanent secretaries, public servants, private sector representatives and financial institutions were present to witness the inaugural flight. (Source: ETN/30/11/06)

PROFIT Pleas for Cooperation to Build South Pacific Brand

190 delegates from all sectors of the industry attended the PROFIT II event in Vila, Vanuatu, last week. US market expert Wally Sumner, President of The Travel Group based in California, made a plea for more cooperation in building the South Pacific brand in the US. “Competition is not within the South Pacific but with the rest of the world” noted Sumner.” Leading Australian wholesaler Creative Holiday’s MD John Montgomery agreed the approach had merit even for the Australian market. “Ä cooperative approach would give better bang for buck”. Branding expert Donna Meredith said “a South Pacific brand is logical”. Asia Pacific Projects Chairman Ludwig Rieder went on to present a case study on the Mekong which noted that support at the very top for a regional approach is critical. Zartmann’s Klaus Lengefeld presented examples of how other regions around the world implemented regional branding through trade shows, in-market representatives, cross-selling, cross-branding, the internet, and crisis management. (Source: South Pacific Tourism)

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