The winners of the 2017/18 Vanuatu Tourism Awards have been announced at a ceremony held at the Vanuatu National Convention Centre on Saturday.
At a touching ceremony which recognised the efforts of over 50 tourism businesses across all sectors and provinces of Vanuatu, the passion and commitment of everyone involved in the industry was evident.
The ceremony was attended by over 400 people, the largest ever audience. The significance of the occasion was evident as families, local communities, and entire businesses showed up to support their nominations.
“The winners of this year’s awards truly highlight what it is to holiday in Vanuatu and what we want our visitors to experience. This year’s winners and finalists are all deeply passionate about what they do and about Vanuatu and I was extremely proud to watch them receive their awards”, said Ms Adela Issachar Aru, Chairperson of the Tourism Awards for Excellence Committee and CEO of the Vanuatu Tourism Office.
“It was also exciting to see entries and winners of this from right across Vanuatu this really adds another dimension to our tourism product and experience and to help us attract new markets and increase repeat visitation. This year we had a winner from both our most northern and most southern provinces”, Ms Aru said.
The winners have been part of a lengthy process of written applications, interviews, and site visits undertaken by a team of 6 judges. The judging panel had over 150 years tourism experiences between them and were impressed by the improvement and quality of the product on offer.
There were a number of new Awards this year which included the Minister for Tourism Sustainability Award, which was won by Big Blue Vanuatu. Big Blue operates a dive business from Port Vila and are acutely aware of the impact the environment has on delivery of their product. Each year Big Blue runs events and works with the community to ensure the reduction in ocean trash. Big Blue also applauded the decision by the Vanuatu Government to ban the use of single use plastic bags, the first country in the Pacific to do so.
The celebrations were then continued at a Gala Dinner for 300 people held at the Warwick Le Lagon, a Tourism Awards winner themselves.
Vanuatu certainly was the happiest place in the world on Saturday night.
WINNERS
Accommodation
Island Style - Chez Maureen Bungalows, Gaua - www.chezmaureenbungalows.com
Mid-range - Fatumara Lodge, Port Vila, Efate - www.fatumaru.com
Boutique - White Grass Ocean Resort and Spa, Tanna - whitegrasstanna.com
Hotel/Resort - Warwick LeLagon, Port Vila - www.warwickhotels.com/le-lagon-resort
Luxury - Tamanu on the Beach Resort and Spa, Efate - www.tamanuonthebeach.com
Tours and Activities
Tradition and Kustom - Leweton Cultural Experience, Espiritu Santo - www.leweton.weebly.com
Activities and Adventure - Tropic Thunder Jet, Port Vila, Efate - www.tropicthunderjet.com
Ocean Experience – Big Blue, Efate - www.bigbluevanuatu.com
Soft Adventure - Vanuatu Helicopters, Port Vila, Efate - www.vanuatuhelicopters.com
Individual Awards for Excellence
Customer service - Isabelle Atuary (World Car Rentals), Efate
Behind the scenes - Gladys Aru, Francesca’s Beach Club, Efate
Tour guide - Queentin Danial, Flower Garden Water Music
Leadership in Handicraft - Trudy Kalotiti, Efate
Transport Ambassador - Roger Roy
Youth in Tourism - Joan Pama, Tam Tam Garden Tour, Malakula
Agri-Tourism Special Award - Lydia Banga, Espiritu Santo
Minister for Tourism Sustainability Award – Big Blue Vanuatu
Father Luke Dini Eco-Tourism Award – Pascal Guillet, Efate