Tok Tok Vanuatu as the Vanuatu Tourism industry’s signature event, has closed on a high note with enormous coordination and drive by the Vanuatu Tourism Office (VTO).
In its 16th year, TOK TOK has again played an important role in tourism growth for Vanuatu.
2018 Tok Tok Vanuatu took place last week at Warwick Le Lagon- Vanuatu assembling close to 150 delegates ie. 58 sellers (local tourism operators) and 55 buyers (international wholesalers & media) coming from Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, the United States, Fiji Islands, China, Japan, and Europe.
The week started with the opening of the Vanuatu Travel Show which saw people by the hundreds pour into Warwick’s Farea Pasifik to see what the provinces had on offer for the domestic traveler. The purpose of the travel expo was to share with locals the types of products and experiences that are on their door step.
Thursday saw the commencement of the business to business networking sessions following a series of visits to and adventures by enjoying Tanna island, Espiritu Santo, and Efate Port Vila with raving remarks and positive feedback, especially on a number of new and unique products that took them by surprise and were now in the market.
Scott Lee, a New Zealand writer for Promag publication who was here for Tok Tok expresses, “What a fantastic experience. The whole event was well organized, efficient and a pleasure to be part of and I was particularly impressed with some great new products and all the positive vibe with all the operators and the cooperation amongst the stakeholders”.
Mr Lee adds, “Vanuatu tourism seems to have really come ahead in leaps and bounds since my last visit and is now, honestly, my favorite South Pacific destination”.
Tok Tok Vanuatu was declared opened by Prime Minister Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas on Thursday 30th August 8.30am, and was closed on the following evening on Friday 31st August 9pm at Warwick Le Lagon – Vanuatu.
Tok Tok 2018 provided the opportunity for wholesalers to reconnect with their Vanuatu counterparts & tourism business partners, as well as be updated on the latest tourism infrastructure development and make new acquaintances to seal new business relationships.
VTO CEO Adela Issachar Aru behalf of the TOKTOK Committee remarks, “We have again had great support from our main sponsors ANZ Bank, along with Air Vanuatu, Warwick Le Lagon – Vanuatu, Evergreen Tours Blue Spring Group company, Airports Vanuatu Limited, Vanuatu Skills Partnership and the Vanuatu Tourism Office contributing significantly to the event”.
Mrs Issachar Aru further adds, “We received a spike of support from over 25 prime companies in the business sectors as well as provincial call centres and media organization who gave their green light to support. We also want to thank these businesses for without their support alongside our main sponsors and partners, Tok Tok Vanuatu would not have been a success and we look forward to continuing this partnership in TokTok 2019”.