Monday 12th August 2013 Issue 25
Inside: News from the office Industry News VTO Out n About Trade & Media Events & Entertainment
New from the office
CLICK HERE For Tok Tok update #5
INDUSTRY Welcome onboard ‘Cruise Away’
Cruise Away is the latest addition to the Stay Vanuatu Management group. The cruise away fleet consist of 4 pontoon cruisers that carry 9 passengers plus a captain, a water taxi that can carry 6 guests plus captain and a 40 foot catamaran that carries 25 passengers, a captain and engineer. All vessels are properly maintained, in excellent condition, inspected and passed by Ports and Harbours, fully licensed and insured as per VTOA requirements. They pride themselves as the most comfortable, relaxing and fun cruise tour in Port Vila, but that’s not all… They also offer snorkelling too! Their tours are currently in the Second Lagoon based at Tropicana Lagoon Resort, Pango based at Coco Beach Resort and the Harbour areas based near the Sea Front and they are expanding to the First Lagoon and Mele bay areas. The maps that accompany this proposal will illustrate their cruising routes and exclusive snorkelling spots. Since starting in November 2012 in the Second Lagoon they have expanded from just being an in house cruise tour, to also servicing the rest of the Second Lagoon venues eg. Sunset Bungalows, Starfish Cove and Vila Chaumieres. The harbour cruise and snorkeling tours are new and are on the back right side and behind Ifira island where the sea is swimming with beautiful corals, fishes and lots more. For more info, call +678 7722203. Email: steve@explorevanuatu.com
Surfside Vanuatu launches new website
Surfside Vanuatu has just launched their new website. Surfside’s bright new bold color on the outside wall and fantastic specials for the remainder of the year can be viewed here www.surfsidevanuatu.com. Phone +678 22727.
Website newcomer
Cruising Safaris Vanuatu
Cruising Safaris is a day cruise and adventure tour operating business based in Luganville, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. It was established in June 2012. Our office is situated on Higginson Boulevard. There are 8 people in our team. Read more.
Publisher: VTO. Host : Issuu.com. Design: VTO. Cover ©Kirklandphotos.com. Credit: Cruising Safaris Vanuatu, Ziontific Productions, Alcina Charlie, Daily Post. © 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 . Website www.vanuatu.travel
VTO Staff Out & About Last week, the VTO Information Officers were present at a launch of a new holiday lodge Travellers Oasis, and later in the week, an afternoon of horse riding with the Bellevue Ranch crew was thoroughly enjoyed by all. The VTO congratulates and thanks Management of both Traveller’s Oasis Lodge and Bellevue Ranch for hosting VTO during the visit.
Local Industry Vanua Fire is smoking!
Written by Fiona Wyllie, Buzz FM: Over the past two years Vanua Fire has built up a large following with locals and tourists visiting Vanuatu who love this night-time fire and musical spectacular. One of the most successful Non Government Youth Centres in the Pacific, Vanuatu's Wan Smolbag Theatre, is behind the project which is giving paid jobs to 18 formerly unemployed young men and women. On virtually every night in Port Vila these days there's a spectacular fire dancing show being staged on a beach or beside a pool in one of the major tourist hotels in Vanuatu. A troupe of young Ni-Vanuatu men and women put on a very slick fire show. The show runs for half an hour and includes fire breathing, flaming skipping ropes and a stunning spinning wheel of fire effect that goes higher than the tallest coconut palm fronds. Former U.K. volunteer circus trainer Rick Hinton says they've got no shortage of venues to see Vanua Fire. Timetable: From a nervous beginning Vanua Fire’s dancers perform a stunning display using a range of different fire appliances. Horace Hunter has her own segment in the show where she dances under a fire umbrella - each of the spoke ends aflame as she twirls it around her head. Horace did not have a job before getting involved in Vanua Fire. She didn’t finish Year 11 after she left school to have a baby. As you can see from Vanua Fire’s schedule they're in huge demand. Some nights they do two or three shows. If anyone wants them for a wedding they can be booked or perform at birthdays and big holidays like the recent Independence Day celebrations. Aid Donors must be really impressed to see the success of the group which is now spreading it’s talents into a Circus show. The team has been purchasing circus props with Vanua Fire profits and is now working on a circus routine at sunset on Sundays at Mele Beach Bar. So far the team has got a trapeze, silks, juggling, roller and hula hooping It is completely different to the fire show. Port Vila locals and tourists alike watch the shows over and over . They come back again and again to see a first class show and spread the word. Don’t miss these smoking talented teens! Book in for dinner and enjoy their show on the following: Monday Eratap Beach Resort, Tuesday 6pm Aquana Resort Eratap, Tuesday 8pm Le Lagon Resort, Wednesday Holiday Inn Tassiriki, Thursday Erakor Island , Friday Mele Beach Bar 7.00pm Saturday Irirki Island Resort 6.45pm. Saturday Coconut Palms Resort 8.00pm
Trade & Media
Trade & Media Vanuatu Islands VTO Youtube page grows & videos now on website
It has only been a month and Vanuatu Tourism’s new Youtube channel already has 11 subscribers plus, and a total of 512 views from 14 uploaded videos. The Vanuatu Tourism Office would like to especially acknowledge Eat, Play & Stay crew for sharing links with the VTO so we are able to re-post on Vanuatu Tourism’s Youtube page. VTO also thanks Vanuatu Helicopters and Michael H for sharing their video clips which are currently attracting over 100 views and ranks up at the top. Vanuatu Tourism industry hoteliers and tour operators are most welcome to email through their video links for VTO to promote. Email them to website@vanuatu.travel or call and ask for Alcina Charlie on +678 22515 or 22685. Click on left image to go on VTO’s Youtube page. Industry colleagues also note that videos can now be viewed on product webpages on VTO website. Eg. Warwick Le Lagon. Send us your video link to be uploaded to your webpage.
SS President Coolidge puts Vanuatu at Top 10 Wreck Dives Worldwide – Scuba Diving Holidays
According to Scuba Diving Holidays, for many divers, wreck diving presents a tantalizing challenge and there are some wrecks that stand out from the crowd. Scuba Diving has released their top 10 wreck dives worldwide and Vanuatu’s very own SS President Coolidge on Espiritu Santo is a favorite, alongside Orkney Island, Bikini Atoll, Andrea Doria, Micronesia’s Truk Lagoon, Sudan, Cyprus, Australia, and Florida. Watch a video below by Deeper Than Diving which shows what makes SS Coolidge rank as one of the top 10 wreck dives worldwide . VTO acknowledges Aquamarine, and The Espiritu Hotel for their assistance towards this clip. Enjoy the video.
EVENTS & festivals
Visitors can witness traditional dances, demonstrations of magic and other local culture at this lively event. The festival centres on Halhal Fantor village in the Olal region, which boasts a string of events. The first day begins with a traditional opening ceremony (Hipipirrhan), followed by traditional dances, fluteplaying, magic, local food, children's games and Sand Drawing displays. The festival finishes with a performance of the local custom dance on the last day. To book call Cheif Sekor on +678 5907659 (french speaking), and Winifa Mael on +678 5639893 (english speaking).
Suddenly everything becomes crystal clear. When you live life at a million miles per hour, you forget what’s really important. Visit Vanuatu and you’ll soon remember 83 unspoilt islands surrounded by blue waters and filled with the happiest people you will ever meet. You can find yourself there, in no time.