Tuesday 17th September 2013 Issue 30 Inside: News from the office VTO Out n About Industry News Trade & Media Events & Festivals Entertainment
News from the office VTO’s new photos available for industry use
Vanuatu Tourism Office (VTO) has finally received its phase 1 brand new photos, 46 in total, taken by David Kirkland in June this year. After almost 3 years of utilizing the existing brand images, the VTO has taken a direction to refresh its Photo Library, in response to the call of SPTO refreshing its regional photo gallery. The VTO is excited to officially announce that its first 46 images have now arrived and can be used by industry operators. Copyright restrictions have been waived for promotional purposes. The only condition for usage is that the pictures must be credited with the name of the photographer. Kirkland has shot the images in all its originality & natural beauty with a strong emphasis on Vanuatu being a beautiful tropical holiday destination, with a vibrant culture and wonderful hospitality. Phase 1 of the photo shoot promotes flare and vibrant Pentecost, including sneak peaks of serene Santo and a few great shots taken on Efate. VTO has confirmed that phase 2 and 3 still remains to complete the entire image gallery and islands yet to cover are Ambrym, Malekula, Tanna, and possibly the further northern province. The VTO aims to sell Vanuatu for its unique treasures discovered in its people and culture, the natural attractions, warm hospitality and infectious, genuine friendship & happiness that tourists experience here with the locals. With that, the new set of images will play a very important role in marketing the destination and Kirkland’s shots will be inspired by these treasures, to create an impact in the market place and increase tourist numbers. VTO would like to acknowledge the South Pacific Tourism Organization for funding the first set of images, and of course thank Mr, and also the following for their support and assistance: Air Vanuatu, Poppys on the Lagoon, South Pentecost Tourism Association, Pangi Community (south Pentecost), Espiritu Santo Tourism Association, Beachfront Resort, The Espiritu, Ratua Private Island, Aore Island Resort, Leweton Cultural Village, Deco Stop Lodge, Moyyan House by the Sea, Hotel Santo, The Grand Hotel, Evergreen Tours, The Secret Gardens, The Summit, Hideaway Island, Event Logic / Open Water Swim committee, Holiday Inn Resort, Waterfront Bar & Grill, and the Department of Tourism. The VTO also wishes to thank the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Department of Labor, and Customs and Immigrations for their support towards the photo shoot. The VTO aims to complete all 3 phases by early 2014 before officially launching online. Image requests are made to the VTO Senior Communications & Website officer on website@vanuatutravel.info . Publisher: VTO. Host : Issuu.com. Design & Cover: David Kirkland. Image credits: David Kirkland, Sebastien Bador, Vanuatu Beachvolley, Robert Oliver, Fest Napuan, Renan Bac, Manples Warriors © All rights reserved. This electronic magazine may not be reproduced in any form, in whole, or part, without the consent of the publisher. The VTO can not be held liable for any information contained in the advertisements. COPYRIGHT: VANUATU TOURISM OFFICE. Vanuatu
Tourism Office, PO Box 209, Port Vila, Vanuatu. Ph (678) 22515 / 22685. Email tourism@vanuatu.travel. Web www.vanuatu.travel
VTO Staff Out & About Below are photos shared by the Events and Trade Manager, Mr Sebastien Bador, who attended an SPTO funded Regional Tourism Executives program last week in Nadi, Fiji. Photos taken during yesterday’s online marketing workshop for accommodations & tour operators at the Melanesian conference room including an adventure off to beautiful Pele and Nguna island for site inspections, are also below. Both workshops are funded by the EU via SPTO (South Pacific Tourism Organization).
Local Industry Vanuatu Beach Volleyball – Win Outstanding Pacific Team & Coach of the Year Media release: The Pacific Games Council’s Annual Pacific Sports Awards were presented at the PGC General Assembly on 8 September to 2012/13 outstanding Pacific sports people. Nominations were received from Pacific Games Associations and the winners were judged to have made "the most meritorious international performance/contribution" in their respective categories over the period 1 July 2012 until 30 June 2013. The PGC Executive Board forms a panel of seven judges each year from amongst the PGC member countries. Each PGA lodges a submission with a description of the nominee’s achievements, and then the judges decide by secret ballot. “The Vanuatu women beach volleyball team for the second consecutive year won convincingly ‘Outstanding Team of the Year’ against the other nominee” said Andrew Minogue Executive Director of the Pacific Games Council. The Vanuatu women beach volleyball coach, Lauren McLeod won ‘Outstanding Coach of the Year’. Lauren’s direction, planning, enthusiasm, commitment and hard work has not only helped to build world ranking athletes but she has also mentored and trained several local coaches to continue with the program for many years to come. The following winners of the 2012/13 Pacific Sports Awards: Outstanding Sports Administrator of the Year - Lilian Amasa (Weightlifting, Fiji) Outstanding Coach of the Year - Lauren McLeod (Beach Volleyball, Vanuatu), Outstanding Technical Official of the Year Frank Robby (Weightlifting, Papua New Guinea), Outstanding Junior Athlete of the Year - Matelita Buadromo (Swimming, Fiji), Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year - Toea Wisil (Athletics, Papua New Guinea), Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year - Iliesa Delana (Para-Sport Athletics, Fiji), Outstanding Team of the Year - Vanuatu Women's Beach Volleyball Team. Vanuatu Tourism industry congratulates our golden girls for another milestone achievement that’s promoting the destination, through sports.
Local Industry
Local Industry
An 8th Wonder of the World update: Virtual Tourist has advised the VTO that Mount Yasur is currently in the Top 200* out of 334 nominations. We have 1 ½ months to move up the leaderboard as voting closes on September 30th so industry operators, colleagues, please remind your business partners, family, friends and fans to vote! To gain more votes, forward this link http://www.virtualtourist.com/8thwonder and ask recipients to vote for Mount Yasur, Tanna, share the link on your social media channels, have the link in an email blast or newsletter to your subscriber base and ask them to vote for Mount Yasur. Top Place groups are Top 5, Top 10, Top 25, Top 50, Top 100, Top 150, Top 200, Top 250, Top 300, Top 350. Help the VTO help Vanuatu get into the finals and make us known to a wider scope of potential tourists!!!
Vanuatu takes the stage this weekend on TV1 in New Zealand, Saturday at 4pm
By author chef Robert Oliver: Hi folks, VANUATU – 21 September, TV1 New Zealand at 4pm Dive into the heart of ancient Melanesia where cooking techniques date back four thousand years. A remote village prepares a feast on Espiritu Santo; we taste organic beef; crepes are given a completely local spin and we meet the undisputed queen of Vanuatu cuisine, Votausi Mackenzie-Reur! Please ask your followers to "like" REAL PASIFIK on facebook to get information on global air dates- we have sold to 80+ countries! Go to Real Pasifik TV Series - 4pm Saturdays on TV One - REAL PASIFIK
“Vanuatu Project” shows what ticks in Vanuatu thanks to Vanuatu islands Facebook guest Renan Bac
VTO thanks Renan Bac for sharing this brilliant edited video of his trip to Vanuatu, filmed with his Go Pro. Watch and be inspired to visit if you have not been to our beautiful islands! “I went to Vanuatu in July this year with a friend of mine and I really enjoyed the variety of activities. I only staid in Etafe, Tana and Espiritu though. From all the footages I took with my Go Pro I made some sort of 5min teaser movie. There’s a lot of me in the movie but after showing it to some people, I gathered very enthusiastic reactions about them asking what they could do, how to go there etc.” Renan Bac, 2013. To view the clip, click on image (above) or go to http://youtu.be/K9UZp1xi7sM
Events & Festivals UNELCO Sponsorise FestNapuan Napuan UNELCO Sponsorise LeLe Fest 2013 2013
Les préparations de cette année 2013 Fest Napuan ont déja débuté. Le comité du Fest Napuan travaille en étroite collaboration avec les communuautés et les entreprises privées et les institutions culturels pour permettre que le festival soit agréable au peuple de Vanuatu et les autres pays qui participent au plus grand évenement au Vanuatu depuis 17 ans. L’association du Fest Napuan est très honnoré d’annoncer que UNELCO sponsorise Le Fest Napuan cette année avec 500,000 vatu. L’association du Fest Napuan est très reconnaissante de son assistance UNELCO Sponsorship sponsorship for 2013 UNELCO forFest FestNapuan Napuan 2013 financière, ainsi que tous les dons de tous les Preparation of this year’s Fest’Napuan Festival has already contribuables locaux pour permettre la gratuité au kicked off. The Fest’Napuan Committee has been committed publique et en qualité. to working together with the community and local businesses Le semaine du festival de cette année Fest Napuan and cultural institutions to make this Festival enjoyable for the aura dans son programme comme à chaque fois les people of Vanuatu and other countries participating in the string bands de Fest Nalenfa qui ouvriront les biggest event in the Vanuatu music calendar for the last 17 festivitiés durant la pleine lune au Saralana le years. The Fest’Napuan Association is pleased to announce the mercredi 16 octobre, et les performances de danses sponsorship of UENLCO for this year’s festival of VT500,000. coutumières le samedi après-midi ainsi que les Fest’Napuan Association is grateful for the assistance, as with nouveaux arrivants le festival des enfants de Fest every local contributions this enables us to keep this event Tamariki de Nouvelle-Zélande et d’Australie le free for the public and of high quality. This year’s Fest’Napuan vendredi après-midi pour completer les trois week will feature as always the Fest Nalenga string bands to merveilleuses soirées de musique du Vanuatu, des open the festivities on full moon at Saralana on Wednesday pays du Pacifique, d’Afrique, d’Aotearoa en NouvelleOctober 16th, and traditional kastom performances on Zélande et d’Australie. Saturday afternoon as well as the new Fest Tamariki children’s Et bien-sure pour cloture cette superbe semaine de festival on Friday afternoon to complement three wonderful musique et activités, les Gospels et Louanges du nights of music from Vanuatu, Pacific, Africa, Aotearoa- New festival de Zion. Ne pas oublier les ventes de Zealand and Australia. And of course Zion Fest gospel and nourritures locales et de succulent kava des stands. praise to close a great week of music and entertainment. Not Le thème de cette année c’est “Grandir avec Ma to forget the tasty local kaikai and mellow kava from the stalls! Culture”. La bande annonce est maintenant The theme for this year is Rize Up With My Culture. The band confirmée et sera annoncée la semaine prochaine. lineup is now confirmed and will be announced next week. Que la lumière soit sur le Vanuatu et regardez cette Light up Vanuatu and watch this space! For more information espace. contact Alcina Charlie, Media Officer on 7710275. From Youth Pour plus d’information, veillez contacter Alcina Against Corruption Vanuatu, Further Arts and VANGO. Charlie, l’Officier médiatique au 7710275.
New Reggae Band: Manples Warriors to play at Fest Napuan By Mark “Remedy” Taiki: Many youth in Vanuatu face difficulties regarding education, crime and unemployment. Some respond through self-pity and complaints of injustice, others respond through the use of reggae music, and innovation. A newly formed reggae group called the “Manples Warriors” have been proactive in their marketing methods. Led by the IT-SCOPE cofounder Stanley Wai, the Warriors recently entered the music scene with their single “Natural Beauty” featuring “Ghost” from the reggae band “Ruff House”. The song has been downloaded numerous times on sound cloud and received positive responses from face book followers. It has a soulful reggae melody, complimented with a variety of male and female vocalists. Read more.