Friday 15th March 2013 Issue 12 Feature News from the office Staff Out n Abouts Industry News Trade and Media Website Newcomer Events & Entertainment Advertisement
The Vanuatu Tourism Office apologizes for any inconvenience caused to all industry colleagues due to the website being down for maintenance. We also encountered email problems this week and as of yesterday afternoon, the issue has been fixed. The website is expected to return online during the weekend. Thank you all for your understanding. VTO Management wishes everyone a very good weekend and do keep in touch.
Editor/Publisher: VTO Host online: Issuu.com Design: VTO Photo credits: VTO, Vanuatu Chefs & FH Assoc, Jeanette Baude, Wine & Dine, Unity Airlines, Island Passage, Islandtime. ŠAll 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. Web www.vanuatu.travel Email tourism@vanuatu.travel
News from the office Barista 2013 organizers release dates to VTO This week, organizers of the prime event for all coffee lovers loved also by the general public, Barista Vanuatu, sent confirmed date for this year’s event. There will be 2 competitions organized by the Vanuatu Coffee Lovers Association (VCLA) . The Vanuatu National Barista Championship will take place on 6th and 7th June 2013 at Port Vila TVL Seafront stage, with an aim to select the Top 10 Vanuatu baristas who will compete at the International Vanuatu Barista Championship. This Vanuatu National Barista is open to any barista based here and the International Barista will be held in conjunction with 2013 Vanuatu salon culinaire competition, to take place on 24th and 25th October 2013. This event invites worldwide baristas to complete with Vanuatu’s very own top 10 champions from the June event. Judges and rules will abide by the World Barista Championship (WBC) Official Rules and Regulations for both competitions. To register email barista@vanuatu.com.vu . The VTO would like to wish baristas and organizing committee a successful event and keep the office posted on what’s happening. Below and opposite photos were taken at last year’s event.
VTO Webmaster Notice to Industry Members The VTO would like to advise all members listed on the VTO website www.vanuatu.travel that from 18-29 March 2013, the webmaster will be cross checking every listing on the website to make sure that products in the website are current members of their tourism association. On this, can all tourism associations email through their 2013-2014 membership listing by 15th March. If an accommodation or tour operator listed on the website is not a paid up member of its tourism association, the product will be removed until membership fees are paid to their association. Association committees please advise members of this important notice so all outstanding are met by your members.
Out
n’ About
Top images left to right: The Vanuatu stand, with Jeanette Baude (VTO Europe rep), and Rusila Drekini (SPTO) in the Pacific Village at ITB show in Berlin which took place from 6th to 10th March 2013. Allan Kalfabun, VTO Marketing Manager, giving a presentation in Berlin during the roadshow.
Local Industry The Industry Event on tonight!
Air Vanuatu engineering delays to be resolved
The Industry Event is a night for Hospitality Industry General Managers ,Suppliers and their partners to come together for an evening of excellent food, networking and the opportunity to gain more knowledge of our industry, APTC courses, an update on the coming 2013 Salon Culinaire, proposed events for Vanuatu Chef’s Association’s National Culinary Team to attend and future events that the association has planned. Special guest of The Industry Event is Mr Neil Abrahams who is Executive Chef of the exclusive Royal Canberra Golf Club, winner of the prestigious Food Service Chef of the year 2012 and current member of the Australian Culinary team to sample an exclusively designed Degustation Menu matched with wine. Working alongside Neil will be Mr David Holliday executive chef of Air Vanuatu and Vanuatu Chef’s association newly formed National team Manager.
13 March 2013: Air Vanuatu has been forced to cancel flights operated by their Boeing 737-800 whilst their repaired engine is being fitted by Qantas engineering in Brisbane. Air Vanuatu’s Chief Executive Officer Joseph Laloyer said January’s engineering issue (which resulted in the aircraft being fitted with a leased engine) is finally being resolved. “As we advised in January, Qantas engineering identified a problem with the eight and ninth stages of one of the engine’s compressor sections, rendering the aircraft unserviceable and requiring lengthy maintenance on the engine,” he said. “At the time, we fitted a leased engine whilst ours was being repaired and expected that maintenance to take up to eight weeks. “The good news is that repair has been completed and our engine is being refitted by Qantas in Australia now.” Mr. Laloyer said the leased engine was found to have a minor problem during Qantas’s weekly check on the Boeing 737-800 on Monday night. “As usual, and operating under our safety first policy, we advised Qantas to ensure the leased engine was repaired immediately resulting in the cancellation of seven international flights this week.” Mr. Laloyer said the delay ended up being as well timed as possible with Qantas advising Air Vanuatu’s own engine was now ready to be refitted. “We expect the aircraft to be operational again tonight (Thursday) with the backlog of flights to be cleared in the coming days. “We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused and would like to assure our passengers we are doing all we can to complete their travel plans as soon as possible.”
Island Escape Cruises New Zealand - Vanuatu 2013-2014 available
Unity Airlines new Piper Chieftain does first flight to Tanna this week
With such great reviews and guests testimonials for New Zealand-Vanuatu cruises onboard Island Passage, no wonder it’s a favorite for personal luxury cruise seekers! Island Escape Cruises 2013-2014 schedule is now available for download: http://www.islandescapecruises.com/Modules/LSDocument Manager/DocumentDownload.aspx?DocumentId=144
Unity Airines did its first Tanna Day trip in their new piper chieftain on Tuesday this week. Unity’s new aircraft gets at 175Kts reaching Tanna in 42 minutes form Vila. The new piper has more room and is quieter than the BN models, and can do VIP Charters both within Vanuatu and Overseas to New Caledonia, Fiji, and Solomon Islands. For more information, email unity-airlines@vanuatu.com.vu . Phone +678 24475.
Trade & MediA In conjunction with the VTO, Islandtime has a major Vanuatu feature in the May/June issue. Industry members are welcome to be involved. Email Fran at fmcdermott@xtra.co.nz.
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