Border reopening

It comes with a range of other immigration announcements, including sector-specific agreements to support a shift away from low-skilled migrant labour, and a new 'Green list' of 85 hard-to-fill high-skill roles that provides a priority pathway to residency.

Visas for some 20,000 migrants already in the country are also being extended, and there will be new restrictions on students being able to work.

The countdown to the border reopening to international travellers on July 1 started after the Government officially announced the date last month.

A challenge for the government and the Vanuatu Tourism Office (VTO) is the shortage of labour or skilled workers in the tourism sector.

Napat said the majority of trained workers are now part of the seasonal schemes in Australia and New Zealand but with financial incentives to employers they could be encouraged to return home to their previous roles, especially in the hospitality sector.

He said international tourists are going to return to Port Vila and the country will need its trained, experienced workers available.

The government has not responded to the call.

They say more could and should have been done to avoid the crisis facing the 2021-2022 harvest season.

From 28 February, New Zealanders will be able to arrive back from Australia and expatriates from the rest of the world can return from 14 March.

Aotearoa was expected to open to foreigners from visa-waiver countries such as the United States no later than July.

For those who benefit from New Zealand's Recognised Seasonal Employers (RSE) Scheme, the move had come "too little too late".

The department and Vanuatu Institute of Technology (VIT) have delivered SBO training workshops to over 500 participants from more than 137 tourism businesses in SHEFA.

Further sessions have been planned according to demand.

In the other provinces, Vanuatu Skills Partnership has trained 271 staff from 145 tourism operators.

Safe Business Operations Coordinator Rae Ernst said it is pleasing to see so many businesses engaging in the programme; however, she would like operators to continue preparing and reach out for support if needed.