Port Vila prepares for cruise tourism comeback

July 17, 2025 12:41 am | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

By Ezra Toara & Kiranga Taufa.

Port Vila is buzzing with preparations as the capital gets ready to receive its first cruise ship of the year—the Carnival Adventure—scheduled to arrive on August 8 with more than 1,000 passengers on board. It will be one of the largest ships to visit the country in recent times.

Rachel Koran, a long-serving Marketing Officer at the Vanuatu Tourism Office (VTO), said preparations are well underway to ensure a smooth and memorable welcome for the visitors. She has been with the office for 17 years.

“Many people are excited because we know the benefits cruise ships bring to our country and communities,” she said. “We are already running awareness programs so that the public, and especially businesses, are informed and prepared to welcome the visitors on this important day.”

Koran confirmed that the VTO team has been actively reaching out to key businesses in Port Vila, including Fung Kuei Duty Free and Waterfall, to encourage participation. Discussions include putting up welcome banners, decorations, and potted plants outside shops to create a festive and inviting atmosphere.

Handicraft vendors—including those recently relocated from the central market area—are also being engaged. Meanwhile, a Port Vila Clean-up Campaign is being planned between August 4 and 7, with the final date to be confirmed. The clean-up aims to prepare public areas frequently visited by tourists.

The Carnival Adventure is scheduled to arrive between 6 and 7am on August 8. As the vessel will anchor offshore near the Seafront, passengers will be ferried to the main landing area by tender boats throughout the morning. A formal welcoming program will begin at 8 AM and will include two key components: a VIP ceremony and a consumer event.

The VIP event will welcome high-level delegates from the ship and government representatives to mark the return of international cruises after months of absence. However, Koran said the main focus will be on the visitor experience—ensuring cruise passengers are warmly welcomed and entertained upon arrival.

“There will be string bands, cultural performances, and youth groups on hand to greet and entertain the tourists. We want to give them a memorable experience that they can share when they return home,” she said.

Local mobile providers Vodafone and Digicel will also have booths available, while handicraft vendors and service providers prepare to showcase the best of Vanuatu’s culture and locally made products.

The VTO is coordinating closely with the Department of Tourism, Port Vila City Council, and the Vanuatu Police Traffic Department to manage traffic flow, with clear pick-up and drop-off zones to avoid congestion.

“We want to make sure Port Vila is alive and vibrant—not just for this cruise ship but for the many others scheduled to arrive after August 8,” Koran said. “Despite the challenges caused by last December’s earthquake, we want our visitors to see that Vanuatu is still open and operational.”

She encouraged the public and business community to give visitors the best possible impression.

“It’s not just about posting on social media. When visitors arrive, we need to show them the real Vanuatu experience,” she said.

With high hopes and strong coordination underway, Port Vila is aiming to reclaim its spot on the regional cruise map in 2025.