Pacific Tourism Organisation apologises for Airbus article

August 6, 2025 10:08 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

By Mavuku Tokona.

The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), based in Suva, Fiji, sent an apology to the Vanuatu Tourism Office (VTO) to be forwarded to the Vanuatu Government regarding misleading information about the Air Vanuatu Airbus deal.

According to SPTO in Suva, they sent an apology yesterday morning to VTO for sharing information published by Islands Business on the 29th of July, which stated that the Air Vanuatu Airbus deal was officially secured and international flights would return sooner than expected. The Vanuatu Daily Post has asked for the apology to be shared, but requests have been unsuccessful.

This article was flagged by the Daily Post and sent to the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Tuesday (this week). Yesterday morning, the PMO’s PRO posted the following on the Ministry of the Prime Minister – Vanuatu Facebook page: “SPTO article misleading and inaccurate re: Air Vanuatu International Flight.

“There is an article from the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) saying that Air Vanuatu will soon resume international flights following the visit of two French leaders last month, July, but this is grossly misleading.

“The government wants to make it clear that the visit of the two leaders was simply to ‘re-engage’ with the Airbus company.

“The terms of our discussions with Airbus will remain confidential until there is a proper outcome.”

VTO has confirmed that they’ve received the apology from SPTO and have forwarded it to government.

SPTO Marketing Manager Kiniviliame Raicebe responded to the Daily Post’s questions by electing their Chairlady, Adela Aru, to answer all inquiries. Till now, VTO has remained quiet on the matter.

The PMO’s PRO concluded with: “Follow only trusted sources to get accurate information,” advice that is also echoed by the Vanuatu Daily Post.