VANUATU TOURISM STANDARDS PROGRAMME: OVERVIEW OF CURRENT SITUATION

Why tourism standards? 1. We want to improve the quality of visitor experiences and satisfaction 2. We want to establish credible tourism businesses that adhere to tourism best practices 3. We want to also compete on standards and not just price 4. We want to be a quality standards conscious destination

Vanuatu Tourism Standards Committee 1. Membership: (a) DOT (b) VHRA (c) VTOA (d) VIBTA (e) VSOA (f) PVELTA 2. Vanuatu Tourism Standards Focus Group

Vanuatu Tourism Standards Programme (VTSP) THE VTSP consists of the following components: 1. Vanuatu Tourism Product Classification System 2. Vanuatu Tourism Operator Minimum Standards 3. Vanuatu Tourism Rating System 4. Vanuatu Green Tourism Rating System 5. Vanuatu Tourism Operator Code of Practice

Vanuatu Tourism Product Classification System (VTPCS) 1. The VTPCS defines: (a) the product characteristics and category (b) Business License Category 2. The Vanuatu Tourism Standards Committee last year approved 3 main product categories and 23 sub-categories 3. The 3 main categories are: (a) Accommodation (b) Tours and Activities (c) Transport 3. These 23 sub-categories are linked to business license categories which were approved by Parliament in November 2014

Vanuatu Tourism Operator Minimum Standards (VTOMS) 1. The VTOMS sets the floor limit to the establishment and operation of each tourism business within the Vanuatu Tourism Product Classification System 2. Each 23 Product sub-category has a set of minimum standards which each tourism business must comply

Vanuatu Tourism Rating System (VTRS) The VTRS will be developed for all 3 main categories which are: 1. Accommodation 2. Tours and Activities 3. Transport

Vanuatu Green Tourism Rating System (VGTRS) The VGTRS will determine the level of integration of: 1. Culture 2. Environment 3. Climate change 4. Renewable energy and energy efficiency

Vanuatu Tourism Operator Code of Practice (VTOCP) The VTOCP determines the level of responsiveness of each tourism operator to the wider community and business environment at large, the principals of good governance, accountability and transparency within the tourism sector and the moral and ethical values that are expected of a responsible tourism business

Vanuatu Tourism Accreditation Permit (VTAP) VTAP confirms compliance to the requirements of the Vanuatu Tourism Standards Programme 1. Self assessment form 2. Letter to confirm level of compliance – whether partial or complete 3. Department of Customs issues business license 4. For 2016 will be issued from October to November and 2016 are Grace Periods because we want all tourism operators to fully understand the system before it is enforceable 6. During Grace Period – will revise and amend as we see fit based on experiences 7. In 2016 DOT will introduce use of independent assessors to assess compliance

Role of Tourism Industry Associations 1. Associations must review their constitutions to incorporate requirements for members compliance to standards 2. Associations are first level in the hierarchy of ensuring compliance to standards by tourism operators 3. When a new tourism business is established the relevant association executive must make sure that they comply to standards as part of their membership application 4. Currently not all tourism operators are members of associations BUT by end of Grace Period ALL tourism operators must be members of associations

Compliance to the requirements of the Vanuatu Tourism Standards Programme in Vanuatu is Compulsory NOT Voluntary. A proposed amendment of the existing Tourism Councils Act will integrate all the new changes that are being made and will be tabled in the March 2016 session of Parliament

LONG TERM OUTCOME OF TOURISM STANDARDS CURRENT SITUATION Poor quality product and service No bisnis & tourism skill & knowledge No understanding of what tourists expect FUTURE SITUATION Internationally recognised Top quality product & service

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