Vanuatu Tourism Office successfully hosts first Tok Tok in four years
It’s all smiles at the Vanuatu Tourism Office (VTO) this week as the tourism board wraps up the successful hosting of its first Tok Tok trade industry event since 2019.
Held between 28 August – 4 September, more than 63 local operators welcomed 41 buyers from six nations – including the likes of Omniche Holidays, Expedia and Ignite from Australia – as they Answered the Call of Vanuatu and discovered all that’s new across the country’s 83 islands.
The week of events and festivities commenced with a buzzing cocktail evening at Banyan Beach Bar on Tuesday, 29th August, hosted by major Tok Tok sponsor Air Vanuatu.
Tailored site visits across Efate kicked off on Wednesday, 30th August, allowing first-time visitors a taste of the destination’s attractions and properties and those that have travelled before the opportunity to reconnect with the product they know as well as explore the latest openings.
The night of Wednesday, 30th August was the Vanuatu Marketplace Welcome Function, a celebration of the Department of Tourism’s Made in Vanuatu program, which heroes the wide and varied spectrum of products that are created, grown or developed in Vanuatu.
Then, Friday 1st September played host to a business-to-business day – a Tok Tok mainstay, it brought local operators and international sellers together over a series of one-on-one meetings to discuss opportunities to sell, promote and drive visitation to Vanuatu in 2024 and beyond before a glittering gala dinner at Warwick Le Lagon’s beachfront.
Finally, to showcase the allure of Vanuatu’s outer islands, international buyers were welcomed on a curated itinerary to Espiritu Santo or Tanna. Visits to the islands’ major accommodations and experiences featured, as well as opportunities to take in their natural beauty.
Vanuatu Tourism Office CEO, Adela Issachar Aru, said this year’s Tok Tok was particularly special, being the first since the country’s borders reopened in 2022.
“Tok Tok 2023 was all about reconnection. Reconnecting with friends and colleagues and the places in Vanuatu that we know travellers from all over the world love,” said Mrs Issachar Aru.
“The week was a showcase of Ni-Vanuatu hospitality and of all the wonderful reasons to sell and visit Vanuatu – the amazing locally-made products, the charm of our resorts and hotels, the breadth of adventures on offer and the beauty of our outer islands. We hope the Tok Tok 2023 experience has left our partners motivated to contract and sell Vanuatu, and we look forward to hopefully welcoming even more travellers to Answer the Call of Vanuatu in 2024 as a result.”
Omniche Holidays Destination Manager, Belinda Burris-Scott, said the event was a wonderful chance to connect with the wholesaler’s partners.
“Tok Tok 2023 was an incredibly uplifting reunion for the tourism industry. To reconnect face-to-face with our Vanuatu partners and reassure them of our passion and commitment to help them rebuild after such a tough time was a fantastic opportunity,” said Ms Burris-Scott.
Greg Wilson, Chief Commercial Officer of Tok Tok 2023 major sponsor, Air Vanuatu, added that the airline was delighted to be part of the event, using it as a platform to share scheduling news and updates with buyers from across the world.
“Air Vanuatu has been a major sponsor of Tok Tok for the last 18 years as it’s always such a fantastic opportunity to connect with partners, forge connections and foster opportunities for the year ahead,” said Mr Wilson.
“All discussions have been immensely positive, with buyers expressing their excitement to contract and sell Vanuatu in 2024. We look forward to welcoming travellers on board with our signature warm Pacific welcome and the brightest smiles in the South Pacific!”
For trade updates on Vanuatu, please visit www.vanuatuspecialists.com.au and consumer updates at www.vanuatu.travel/au.
Latest News
ATAC reveals major brand refresh to help drive quality membership
Wow, big news for the independent co-op with various logo colours coincidentally matching chair Taylor's blazer choices.
AFCM announces a record-breaking year with a direct economic benefit of $3.79 million
The Australian Festival of Chamber Music has announced a record-breaking year following its 10-day event with a direct economic benefit of $3.79 million. Independent research shows the event, which was held from 26 July to 4 August, generated a total spending in Queensland by all attendees of $19.98million, up 114 per cent from $9.32million in […]
Emergency landing and fire at Sydney Airport
Thankfully nobody was hurt, however, a scary incident for all involved.
Stop everything!! The 2024 Women in Travel finalist list is HERE!
Be prepared to spit out your tea/coffee/Coke, because the Women in Travel shortlist is here!
Helloworld partners with Wendy Wu and China Southern Airlines for China famil
This looks like a great famil. If they ever need someone to carry bags we are free between 14th November 2024 and 2030.
Huge queues at international airports as Australian Border Forces system fails
We experienced huge queues at Sydney airport once, and that was with everything working.
Schoolies warned to curb alcohol assumption or lose out on travel insurance cover
Young people, drinking? Hold the press. Looks like insurers have found another way to get out of claims.
TAG announces leadership expansion to support global growth
Meanwhile, the editing on this photo is very X-Files. We like it. Spooky.
Review: Thai Airways Business class – Sydney to Istanbul: Is it worth the splurge?
Experiencing Thai Airways in pure comfort, onboard the Airbus A350-900 Sydney to Istanbul via Bangkok. Is it worth the splurge? Pre-Flight and Check-In Flying TG 472 Sydney – Bangkok at 15:50, you certainly miss all the chaos at Sydney airport, meaning a faster and more efficient check in process. As a Business Class passenger, you’re […]
ATAC Future Focus Conference opens at The Langham, Gold Coast
We assure you it was very hard to leave our plush room at The Langham to head to the conference.
Complex Travel Group partners with Luxury Travel Collection to launch Onboard Luxury
The upside to working with LTC is the gold frame, the downside is you have to live in black & white.
Fiji Airways celebrates third consecutive APEX Five Star Major Airline Award
Consecutive wins are nice but it puts the pressure on each year, we imagine...
Celestyal names Ascend Travel Group as Australian industry representatives
We're not sure if our photo edit in this article is too '90s pop band'. No more Canva for us.
Rydges Port Macquarie offers coastal comfort following hotel refurbishment
It is amazing how what was once considered modern will one day become dated. The same truth applies to our own faces.
Raes on Wategos announces the opening of Raes Guesthouses
Our diary is open for 2025 should you need us to come and inspect the premises for ourselves.
Travelmarvel launches new ship with Europe 2026 Preview
It must be super fun to come up with ship names. Way more fun than coming up with baby names. Hard to call a baby Rigel.
Infinity Holidays hosts exclusive Visit California VIP lunch in Sydney
This food looks fantastic. My egg cress sandwich is looking extra depressing now.
REVIEW: Crown Towers Melbourne
Who else is grateful that their days of staying at backpacker hostels are way in the past?
Nexus DMC opens new global HQ in Melbourne, thanks to US$50m funding
Setting up a global corporate HQ in Melbourne means a lot of coffee-tasting trial and error.
Emirates partners with Spotify for inflight entertainment
Personally, here at TW, we already spend our flights binge-listening to all of our favourite podcasts.
Kerala Tourism wraps up successful Australian Roadshow
India as a destination is so hot right now, both temperature side and metaphorically speaking.
Day two of Club Med’s home-based agent conference talks future proofing and digital success
Talking of keys, we hope our man in Club Med Bali for this conference, remembers where he put his.
A certain je ne sais quoi! – Back-Roads grows French tours by 35%
Dreaming of a trip to France, you aren't the only one!
What round two of Trump means for travellers to the US
As they say on departure, buckle up tight and low, as the second Trump administration may be a bumpy ride.
LATAM sponsors Chile Sentido Exhibition
Meeting Darwin's frog would be of particular interest. The kids live in dad's mouth - seriously.
Rail Europe expands offer with new BENELUX, Eastern Europe, and Denmark routes
With European governments encouraging rails over flights, then we thing this move will track well.
Jetstar brings back Kids Fly and Stay FREE Sale
In the interests of responsible parenting we will mention that an adult does need to accompany the kids!
Celestyal signs official MOU with Visit Qatar
The irony is that lucky agents selling slow travel will be watching the fastest sport on earth.
INTERVIEW: San Diego’s Benjamin Eastman on why Aussies are loving ‘California’s beach city’
You may not be thinking of a trip to the USA right this second, but when you do San Diego looks like a good bet.
Minor Hotels names industry veteran Omar Romero in new role as chief development and luxury officer
A lot of people don't like being called a veteran but personally we like it.
CAPA announces 2024 Environmental Sustainability Award winners
No locals in this list of airlines doing the right thing, perhaps we need to lift our game.
Albury’s luxury boutique hotel, CIRCA 1928, is up for grabs
Luxury boutique hotel business CIRCA 1928, in the heart of the Albury’s CBD, is up for grabs. CRE Brokers has been appointed as the Exclusive Agency for the leasehold sale of the hotel in a major regional growth centre of NSW. Set in the tree-lined Dean Street, surrounded by the retail, food and entertainment offerings, […]
Grafton Travel passes the baton of ownership to Louise Thompson
After 17 years running the show, it's time to put your feet up, hopefully on a cruise ship floating somewhere.
Regent announces opening of the Regent Santa Monica Beach
If you need someone to try out the swimming pool we volunteer as tribute!
CATO unites at World Travel Market London
This looks like a great event! Although a moment's thought for our jet-lagged friends.
ICC Sydney hosts Global Nature Positive Summit
The International Convention Centre Sydney, managed by ASM Global, hosted the world’s first Global Nature Positive Summit from 8 to 10 October. Around 1,000 delegates including international Ministers, environmental policy experts across government and corporate sectors, Indigenous People, and investors attended the landmark event. At the Summit, leaders explored effective ways to realise global commitments […]