Pre-departure test removal will help tourism recovery: VTO
September 13, 2022 1:25 am | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook
The removal of pre-departure COVID-19 testing before entry to Vanuatu will greatly help the recovery of the tourism industry supporting both aviation and cruise travel into the destination, said the Vanuatu Tourism Office (VTO).
“Victors can now travel to Vanuatu without any hassle,” VTO said in a statement.
“Vanuatu has come a long way. Removing all pre-departure testing has been a point of contentious in the months leading to border re-opening in July and now post border, we welcome the revised change by the Ministry of Health,” said VTO’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Adela Issachar Aru.
“We acknowledge the hard work and expertise of our Health professionals and border control agencies, as they continue to work together with the Department of Tourism and VTO, making sure that the safety of the People of Vanuatu remains our top priority while maintaining a safe level of surveillance to allow our international visitors to travel in without much of the Covid-restrictions, as we can still experience in other parts of the world and in the region,” she added.
VTO stated that the removal of the travel restriction makes it easier for international travelers, including tourists, to visit our shores.
This change applies to all arrivals by air and sea. While full vaccination against COVID-19 is encouraged before traveling to the country, this is also not mandatory.
Once in Vanuatu, there is no quarantine or arrival testing required. If a traveler tests positive for COVID-19 while in Vanuatu or develops symptoms, they will need to isolate for seven (7) days at their hotel or resort.
For citizens and permanent residents, home isolation is encouraged and possible. For more information on these requirements, please visit to Vanuatu’s Ministry of Health website.
Vanuatu reopened its borders to international travelers for the first time on 1 July, with visitors now able to freely travel throughout the archipelago and experience the country’s once-in-a-lifetime moments.
From trekking through the jungle of remote islands, visiting local villages, and soaking in kastom to tasting the country’s fresh island cuisine (kai kai), Vanuatu offers all the best of a tropical island holiday Air Vanuatu currently operates five non-stop flights from Sydney, one direct service a week from Melbourne and Nadi, and three non-stop flights a week from Brisbane, Auckland, and Noumea to Port Vila. Aircalin operates weekly Saturday flights to Port-Vila and Fiji Airways with three flights a week.
Solomon Airlines will move to two weekly Honiara-Port-Vila services, commencing in October.
Virgin Australia confirms resuming flights from Brisbane to Port Vila, up to five times a week from March 2023.
Travelers are encouraged to check the Vanuatu Tourism Office website for the latest information and health directions prior to travel, as well as for inspiration on visiting Vanuatu www.vanuatu.travel
