The Vanuatu Tourism Awards for Excellence is the national tourism awards program for Vanuatu.

The objective of the program is to improve standards and professionalism, whilst encouraging the

continual development of the tourism sector.

By recognizing excellence and celebrating the success of operators who are delivering an outstanding

service to tourists, the Awards aim to encourage collaboration and knowledge sharing within the

industry to help build the Vanuatu brand and enhance the visitor experience.

The ultimate goal of the Awards is to attract more tourists to create greater economic opportunity in

Vanuatu and build a sustainable future for the industry.

PARTNERSHIPS APPROACH

• VTO Secretariat• DoT• IVS• Tourism Ambassador

Program• Private Sector:• Vanuatu Hotels and

Resorts Association• Vanuatu Tour

Operators Association

• Vanuatu Chefs and Food Handlers Association

• Tourism Education Providers: TVET and APTC

• IFC, World Bank Group

• Sponsors

OBJECTIVE AND TRANSPARENT

PROCESS

• Refined and focused award categories to compare like for like

• Criteria based on best practice – research into awards programs in Australia, Pacific and Asia tailored to Vanuatu

• Involvement of 4 international judges to ensure objectivity

• Involvement of 4 local judges to ensure understanding of local context

• International Visitor Survey incorporated

INCLUSIVE PROCESS

• No nomination needed

• Support program – entrants workshop

• Outer island awareness raising of awards

• Island Accom and Traditional/Kastom categories free entry

• 3 finalists per category

• Awards Ceremony separate event to gala dinner to encourage inclusiveness

• Particular focus on engaging the broader community in 2015

BRINGING VALUE TO PARTICIPANTS

• Submission is an exercise in itself to prompt reflection on business performance and forward strategy

• Feedback report to all entrants to provide feedback and ideas on how to improve

• Best practice stories will be captured from finalists and shared with participants

• Data from International Visitor Survey to provide additional feedback to operators

FEEDBACK FROM 2014• Process was a success!

Applicants were (95%!) happy that the judging had consistency and integrity Finalists were happy to have received judging site visits and post-Awards feedback Winners were happy with post-Awards feedback and recent visit from Grand Judge Finalists found Judges’ recommendations useful Many of our 2014 Sponsors are on board again for 2015 Could be more collateral materials for Winners and Finalists to use

• Event was a success! Splitting Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner gave opportunity for finalists to include

more of their family, friends and staff in the event Awards had significance for winners and their staff Those businesses who remained operational post-Cyclone Pam felt the Award added

value to their promotions and marketing Many of our 2014 Sponsors are on board again for 2015

• Cyclone Pam ‘Never such a high and such a low only 7 days apart…’ 2014 Winners have not been able to capitalise on their win 2014 Applicants and Industry surveyed – want 2015 Awards

And the 2014 winners were…..ACCOMMODATION TOURS INDIVIDUAL

Island BungalowsTAM TAM

BUNGALOWS

Cultural/Eco TourEDEN ON THE

RIVER

Front and Back of House

JOHANSEN MERAHMid-Range

FATUMARU LODGEAdventure Activity

EDGE VANUATUTour Guide

WARREN GAMABoutique

MOYYAN HOUSE BY THE SEA

Scenic TourVANUATU

HELICOPTERS

Handicraft AmbassadorHELEN CALO

Hotel/ResortsHOLIDAY INN

RESORT

Ocean ExperienceOCEAN WALKER

Transport Ambassador

JONAS SUMULuxury

ERATAP BEACH RESORT

Judges’ SpecialCommendation

MILLENIUM CAVES

WHAT’S NEW THIS YEAR• Changes to some of the categories

Reflects feedback from participants from 2014 Awards Ensures competition is truly between peers To encourage participation from small and Outer Island businesses Pending Committee discussion tomorrow!

• Increase to 8 judges To reflect likely/hoped increase in number of entries To ensure all entrants receive detailed consideration Maintaining balance of local and international judges (4 and 4) Retaining same judges from last year for consistency

• Website development and use Development of tools to support the application process (for applicants) Development of tools to streamline administrative process (behind the scenes) Ensure all online functions for applicants have offline equivalents

• Integration with International Visitors Survey and Accreditation Considering ways to incorporate IVS in applications and judging Timelines to allow incorporation of Accreditation process

ACCOMMODATION TOURS INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

ISLAND STYLE ADVENTURE ACTIVITY CUSTOMER SERVICE

MID-RANGERECREATIONAL / SOFT ADVENTURE

TOURBEHIND THE SCENES

BOUTIQUETRADITIONAL/

KASTOM-BASED TOUR

TOUR GUIDE

HOTEL/RESORT OCEAN EXPERIENCE TRANSPORT AMBASSADOR

LUXURY ACCOMMODATION

HANDICRAFT AMBASSADOR

Tuesday 1st December

Entry forms and information released

Early December

Entrant workshops in Port Vila and Santo

November - January

DoT and TVET support in Outer Islands to raise

awareness and help with applications

Friday 1st January

Entry Period opens

Monday, January 31st Jan

Entry period closes

February - March

Judging submissions by panel of judges

Early March

3 Finalists in each category chosen

March / April

Judges site visits and panel decides Winner

Sat, April 16th

Public Awards Event

Ceremony

followed by Gala Dinner

TIMELINE FOR 2015/2016

Tankiyu tumas!