Bumpy Roads Affecting Tourism and Daily Life in Vanuatu: A Call for Urgent Road Repairs
February 5, 2025 10:24 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook
By Doddy Morris.
The road leading to Tamanu on the Beach Resort & Spa, a prominent five-star destination in Vanuatu, has become a daily point of frustration for both locals and tourists alike.
Assistant Manager Bong Harry Ian, who has been working at the resort for seven years, drives this road seven times a day. Despite the beauty and appeal of the resort itself, Ian said the road, which leads from the main road to the resort, is far from “five-star” quality.
The Assistant Manager described the challenging experience of driving the road, which is riddled with potholes and bumps that often leave both locals and tourists feeling uncomfortable.
“When we are driving from the main road to come here, you can clearly see on a visitor’s face the expression they have. The truck goes up and down due to the potholes, and even with seatbelts on, they still get hurt because of the poor road condition,” Ian said.
The experience is so jarring that tourists often need to rest before they can even go to the restaurant.
“Sometimes, they can’t even come to eat right away. They have to sleep first before eating,” he added.
This problem worsens when it rains, turning the road into a muddy mess that makes the ride even more unpleasant. The road’s poor condition has a broader impact beyond the guest experience.
Ian says that the resort’s vehicles are constantly in need of repairs due to the strain caused by the bumpy road.
“We have three buses, but at the moment, only one is in service because the other two are at the garage,” Ian revealed.
The road’s constant damage to vehicles not only disrupts daily operations but also increases maintenance costs, which the resort must shoulder. Yet, Ian assures that they comply with all traffic laws, despite the challenges.
Marketing efforts to attract guests to the resort are also affected by the road’s condition. Ian pointed out that the resort often has to offer special gifts to tourists to make up for the unpleasant journey. “It’s like we’re telling them lies. We tell them the road will be fixed, but we’ve been saying that for seven years, and nothing has changed,” he said.
The resort staff tries their best to make tourists forget about the rough ride by offering comfort and humour when they arrive. “Some of our drivers joke with tourists, telling them they’re heading to a ‘free massage’ because of the bumpy road,” Ian shared.
Although this lightheartedness helps tourists cope with the discomfort, the underlying issue remains unresolved. The appeal for better roads is not unique to Tamanu Resort.
Harry Attison, a resident of the Narpow community for 15 years, shares similar frustrations. Attison, who drives the same road twice a day, believes that the government’s approach to road maintenance is part of the problem.
He argues that the Public Works Department (PWD) is too broad in its focus, overseeing roads, houses, and other infrastructure.
Instead, Attison suggests that a dedicated road authority focusing solely on road repairs would ensure that roads are properly maintained.
“When you have too many things to look after, you’ll forget to fix the roads,” Attison said, emphasising the importance of prioritising road repair.
Both Ian and Attison agree that a more effective approach to fixing the roads would involve a gradual, piecemeal method. Ian advocates for the idea of tar-sealing sections of the road little by little, rather than attempting to fix the entire stretch at once, which often leads to further damage when it rains.
“Instead of ‘scratching’ (grading) the whole road and then having the rain destroy it, why not make it bit by bit, sealing sections as you go?” he asks.
Despite the challenges, Ian remains optimistic about the future of Vanuatu’s tourism industry. Tamanu Resort has continued to operate fully, even in the wake of the earthquake, and Ian is proud of the resort’s ability to keep the business running despite these difficulties.
However, he emphasises that without road improvements, the future of tourism in the region is at risk.
“Tourists are spending a lot of money to come to Vanuatu, and when they experience the road condition, it makes it hard for us to explain. It’s not good for the country,” Ian said.
Both Ian and Attison’s appeals echo the voices of many locals who are affected by the poor state of Vanuatu’s roads. The government’s response to these concerns remains to be seen, but both men hope this article will raise awareness and prompt action.
As Ian concludes, “We need a better road, not just for us but for the tourists who are bringing in money. If the government can fix the road, it will help the entire community, not just the resort.”
The call for better roads is urgent, and with tourism playing a vital role in Vanuatu’s economy, the government must act swiftly to address the issue before the country’s reputation as a top travel destination is damaged further.
