IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, funded a survey of international visitors to Vanuatu to help the Pacific island nation improve its tourism services and identify tourist-related infrastructure needs.
Tourists arriving by air injected US$150 million or VUV 17 billion into the Vanuatu economy in 2015 according to an International Visitor Survey (IVS) undertaken by the New Zealand Tourism Research Institute (NZTRI) of Auckland University. The survey measured the travel patterns, behaviors, and expenditure of international visitors arriving by air to the country.
“The survey is a critical tool for Vanuatu as it allows the country to now make evidence-based decisions to better plan tourism development,” said IFC Country Officer for Vanuatu Jimmy Andeng. “It also shows how valuable tourism is to the economy of Vanuatu, with the annual direct spend of $150 million or VUV 17 billion, including pre-paid and in-country spend.”
Travelers completed an online survey on exiting Vanuatu. The survey found 44 percent of visitors used travel websites to research their trip and almost half of all visitors booked directly with accommodation providers and tour operators. Tourists spend an average $171 or VUV 18,954 per day with long-haul travelers spending the most, at $187or VUV 20,728 per day. Only 15 percent of travelers visit the islands of Tanna and Santo, and 2 percent or less visit other outer islands. However, 85 percent of visitors would like to visit an outer island on a future visit.
“Our findings show tourism is everybody’s business, with travelers rating meeting friendly Ni-Vanuatu people as the most enjoyable aspect of their trip and four out of five saying they would like to return to Vanuatu,” said Director of NZTRI and report author Professor Simon Milne. “Importantly, visitors also recommended that roads and public services, rubbish collection, and access to internet improvements are needed.”
The ongoing survey is a joint effort between the Vanuatu Tourism Office, Vanuatu National Statistics Office, Department of Tourism and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, and the New Zealand Tourism Research Institute at Auckland University, with support from IFC.