The Vanuatu Tourism office has big plans for 2026, and this includes more opportunities for agents to experience the destination first-hand, as it says agents are regaining confidence in the island nation.
Speaking to Travel Today, VTO’s New Zealand market representative Jacquie Carson says next year it will launch a new self-famil program, which will include access to special airfares, accommodation and activities. The launch of the program will take place early in the year, and it comes as Carson says 2025 has been a challenging year for Vanuatu from New Zealand, with the earthquake and aviation crisis with Air Vanuatu meaning that many agents were not confident in recommending the destination. Now, Carson says the archipelago is starting to see some good signs from the Kiwi trade around confidence, with numbers ‘starting to head in the right direction’. “Agents are very keen to have another South Pacific destination to offer their clients once again,” she says. “Vanuatu has so much to offer Kiwi travellers and we have had some fantastic feedback this year from our visitors.” VTO recently sent a number of agents to the destination following a recent sales incentive and their feedback was overwhelmingly positive. World Travellers Gisborne’s Emily Walker says Santo had such a different atmosphere to other places she has travelled. “We loved how relaxed it was, and it was nowhere near as touristy, which made it feel special.”
Further helping Vanuatu in 2026 will be its rising air connectivity. Solomon Airlines recently launched a third weekly service and Carson says Qantas offers through fares from both Auckland and Christchurch to Port Vila via Brisbane.
. . . Training
Alongside the self-famil program, VTO will launch the new Vanuatu Specialists Program, which Carson says will help agents better their knowledge and confidence in recommending Vanuatu to their clients in 2026 and beyond, via a series of modules.
A date is yet to be announced, but for now Carson says agents should ‘watch this space’. “We look forward to 2026 and seeing more Kiwi’s visit Vanuatu,” she concludes. See more on Vanuatu HERE.
