Visitor numbers climb as Vanuatu strengthens tourism recovery

March 2, 2025 10:29 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

By Ezra Toara & Kizzy Kalsakau.

The Director of Tourism, Paul Pio, has highlighted key tourism statistics and the nation’s ongoing efforts to support the industry following the impacts of the earthquake on December 17, 2024.

According to him, total air arrivals in January 2025 stood at 9,353, with resident arrivals comprising 28% and visitor arrivals making up 72%. Among visitor arrivals, 74% were holiday tourists, with Australian visitors accounting for the highest proportion at 59%. The average length of stay for visitors was recorded at 12 days, with an average visitor age of 38 years. Meanwhile, total departures for January stood at 10,498, with residents making up 23% and visitors representing 77% of all departures.

The total number of international visitor arrivals by air in January 2025 was 6,725, marking a 6% increase (381 visitors) compared to the previous month. This rise was primarily driven by a 14% increase (615 visitors) in holiday arrivals. Holiday tourists constituted 74% of all international arrivals, followed by visitors for family and friends at 9%, business meetings and conferences at 3%, stop-over visitors at 1%, and other categories, including education and sports, at 13%.

Australian visitors led international arrivals at 59%, followed by Europe (12%), New Caledonia and other Pacific countries (7% each), New Zealand and other countries (4% each), North America and China (3% each), and Japan (1%). International visitors spent an average of 12 days in Vanuatu, with those in Port Vila staying an average of 10 days and those in Luganville averaging 13 days. The majority of visitors (36%) fell within the 30-49 age group, while 28% were aged 50 and above.

The data for international arrivals by air is sourced from the Department of Customs’ ASYCUDA World system and the Department of Immigration’s Migration Information Data Analysis System (MIDAS), in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Cruise ship statistics are also provided by the Department of Customs.

The Vanuatu Bureau of Statistics has been releasing monthly provisional international visitor arrivals data since January 2019, allowing for consistency checks with the Department of Customs and Inland Revenue (DCIR) and the Immigration Department before the publication of quarterly or annual statistical reports.

Director Pio acknowledged the significant challenges facing the tourism sector, particularly in aviation and transport. Connectivity remains a major concern, especially in accessing outer islands. While international flights to Vanuatu are stable, inter-island transportation remains difficult due to limited airline services and reliance on domestic shipping, which is not always convenient for short-stay visitors. Additionally, labor shortages and high staff turnover continue to impact tourism businesses.

Under the Tourism Act, the Department of Tourism is implementing key initiatives such as product development, tourism accreditation, outer islands tourism decentralization, and investment promotion. These programs aim to ensure businesses meet accreditation standards, expand tourism activities across all provinces, and attract new investments.

To support the sector’s recovery, the Vanuatu government allocated approximately VT200 million to tourism in 2024, supplemented by donor funding. Australia has pledged nearly VT100 million over three years through its Economic Support Package, while New Zealand has contributed over VUV VT100 million for Vanuatu’s Tourism Recovery and Resilience Program. These funds support initiatives such as the Tourism Business Recovery Program, which provides financial assistance to affected operators.

Director Pio also welcomed the transition from P&O to Carnival Cruises, signaling renewed interest in Vanuatu as a cruise destination. Cruise tourism remains vital to the local economy, particularly in Port Vila, where many businesses rely on cruise passengers. However, the main wharf remains inaccessible due to earthquake damage, prompting the government to explore temporary cruise tendering solutions.

Efforts are underway to clear and demolish unsafe buildings in the central business district and improve traffic management to accommodate cruise tourism. While the timeline for resuming full cruise operations in Port Vila remains uncertain, discussions with infrastructure authorities are ongoing, with updates expected in early March.The Director of Tourism, Paul Pio, has highlighted key tourism statistics and the nation’s ongoing efforts to support the industry following the impacts of the earthquake on December 17, 2024.

According to him, total air arrivals in January 2025 stood at 9,353, with resident arrivals comprising 28% and visitor arrivals making up 72%. Among visitor arrivals, 74% were holiday tourists, with Australian visitors accounting for the highest proportion at 59%. The average length of stay for visitors was recorded at 12 days, with an average visitor age of 38 years. Meanwhile, total departures for January stood at 10,498, with residents making up 23% and visitors representing 77% of all departures.

The total number of international visitor arrivals by air in January 2025 was 6,725, marking a 6% increase (381 visitors) compared to the previous month. This rise was primarily driven by a 14% increase (615 visitors) in holiday arrivals. Holiday tourists constituted 74% of all international arrivals, followed by visitors for family and friends at 9%, business meetings and conferences at 3%, stop-over visitors at 1%, and other categories, including education and sports, at 13%.

Australian visitors led international arrivals at 59%, followed by Europe (12%), New Caledonia and other Pacific countries (7% each), New Zealand and other countries (4% each), North America and China (3% each), and Japan (1%). International visitors spent an average of 12 days in Vanuatu, with those in Port Vila staying an average of 10 days and those in Luganville averaging 13 days. The majority of visitors (36%) fell within the 30-49 age group, while 28% were aged 50 and above.

The data for international arrivals by air is sourced from the Department of Customs’ ASYCUDA World system and the Department of Immigration’s Migration Information Data Analysis System (MIDAS), in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Cruise ship statistics are also provided by the Department of Customs.

The Vanuatu Bureau of Statistics has been releasing monthly provisional international visitor arrivals data since January 2019, allowing for consistency checks with the Department of Customs and Inland Revenue (DCIR) and the Immigration Department before the publication of quarterly or annual statistical reports.

Director Pio acknowledged the significant challenges facing the tourism sector, particularly in aviation and transport. Connectivity remains a major concern, especially in accessing outer islands. While international flights to Vanuatu are stable, inter-island transportation remains difficult due to limited airline services and reliance on domestic shipping, which is not always convenient for short-stay visitors. Additionally, labor shortages and high staff turnover continue to impact tourism businesses.

Under the Tourism Act, the Department of Tourism is implementing key initiatives such as product development, tourism accreditation, outer islands tourism decentralization, and investment promotion. These programs aim to ensure businesses meet accreditation standards, expand tourism activities across all provinces, and attract new investments.

To support the sector’s recovery, the Vanuatu government allocated approximately VT200 million to tourism in 2024, supplemented by donor funding. Australia has pledged nearly VT100 million over three years through its Economic Support Package, while New Zealand has contributed over VUV VT100 million for Vanuatu’s Tourism Recovery and Resilience Program. These funds support initiatives such as the Tourism Business Recovery Program, which provides financial assistance to affected operators.

Director Pio also welcomed the transition from P&O to Carnival Cruises, signaling renewed interest in Vanuatu as a cruise destination. Cruise tourism remains vital to the local economy, particularly in Port Vila, where many businesses rely on cruise passengers. However, the main wharf remains inaccessible due to earthquake damage, prompting the government to explore temporary cruise tendering solutions.

Efforts are underway to clear and demolish unsafe buildings in the central business district and improve traffic management to accommodate cruise tourism. While the timeline for resuming full cruise operations in Port Vila remains uncertain, discussions with infrastructure authorities are ongoing, with updates expected in early March.