Vanuatu Tourism Accreditation Program

Proposed Time Line 2016 - 2017

Vanuatu Tourism Standards Forum_ October 2015

TO DATE:

• Preparation and launch of Vanuatu Tourism Accreditation Info Pack• Awareness, Training and mentoring of DoT Provincial Product Development

Officers• Development and roll out of Operator Self-Assessment Forms • Development and roll out of the process for issuing 2015 Tourism Permits• Review of the Minimum Standards based on feedbacks collected from this

years Accreditation rollout • Review of timelines – Post Cyclone Pam

Main Focus [2015/2016]• Process linking: DoT/Customs [Municipal & Local Govnt area Secretay] –

Business License• Information collection: Self-assessment [Feedbacks] – 2015/2016

• Full Enforcement - 2017

Vanuatu Tourism Standards Forum_ October 2015

Timelines & Process - VTAP:

• 2016 Tourism Business Permit Application (October/November 2015)• 2016 Tourism Permit Issuing (December 2015)• Review & Amend Tourism Council Act (2015 – Feb 2016) • Amendment to the Business License Schedule (2015 – Feb 2016)

- Forum, Endorse/Standards Committee/Amendment

• Develop the Draft 2017 Operational Plan – Accreditation Program ( Jan - May 2016)• Confirm Schedule of required trainings (Mar 2016)• Confirm list of Recognised Tourism Associations (June/July 2016)• Trainings & Coaching for Tourism Standards assessors (June – August 2016)

• 2017 Tourism Business Permit Application (October/November 2016)• 2017 Tourism Permit Issuing (December 2016)

• Develop Vanuatu Tourism Rating system (2016 - 2017)• Establish the Vanuatu Tourism Standards Program (2016 - 2017)

Vanuatu Tourism Standards Forum_ October 2015

Tourism Permit Process

2015 – Tourism Businesses Requiring a business License now require a Tourism Permit

The new revised VTPCS & VTOMS will be drafted after todays forum and be endorsed by the Tourism Standards advisory Committee

2015 – Self Assessment (leniency / DoT spot checks)2016 – Self Assessment (reduced leniency)2017 – DoT Assessors (mandatory for Accreditation)

2015/2016 - DoT issues Permit based on Self Assessment and case-by-case review where mandatory Minimum Standards are not met (‘grace period’) - but mandatory compliance with selected items i.e. Tourism Association

2017 – All Minimum Standards for each Category must be met to get Accreditation and Permit. - reason why its important to provide true information when completing the self assessment forms.

Sample Tourism Permit

QUESTIONS

Feedbacks/Key Points from the Program Rollout

Insurance• Tourism association affiliation• Understanding of the Process - Permit issuing, application process - Information flow• Training requirements• Marketing Levi [TMDF] contribution• Cost to business - License, insurance, trainings etc.• Timing - prior to licensing [2015 Tourism permits]• Some Categories that are too broad - i.e. Adrenaline, soft adventure• Categories that cross over with non - tourism services - i.e. Air Tourism Services• OI's small business - Need to consider multiple business licenses• What's achievable & fair for the OI's• Consistency & Credibility of the program• User friendly Island Bungalow guide for each respective province• Need Sustainable/Eco Tourism program - Especially for the Rural/Outer Islands

An additional Program

A SUSTAINABLE ECO-TOURISM CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

Ensuring Credibility in this initiative is very necessary, reason why we are going to:

Work closely with Eco Tourism Australia and The Global Sustainable Tourism Council for: A. advice,

B. guidance and C. Technical support for the review and incorporating

into our Accreditation Programme – eco certification program and also the development of its Operational Plan

NOTE: We have an idea of what we want [in terms of the purpose of the proposed program, its importance to the tourism industry overall]. But, its how we get there – Expert support/resources - Lack

QUESTIONS

QUESTIONS

Proposed New License Categories Requiring Department of Tourism Accreditation

Category Current Customs Category

2016 Category Reserved? DoT Accredited? DoT Minimum Standard that applies

D3 - ACCOMMODATION CATEGORIES

Hotel D3 (a) D3 (a) Threshold Yes Hotel Operator Standards

Resort D3 (a) D3 (i) Threshold Yes Resort Operator Standards

Motel D3 (b) D3 (b) Threshold Yes Motel Operator Standards

Unique Accommodation D3 (c) D3 (c) No Yes (Tailored - DoT discretion only)

Self Contained / Holiday Homes D3 (d) D3 (d) No Yes Self Contained / Holiday Home Operator Standards

Guest House D3 (e) D3 (e) Threshold Yes Guest House Operator Standards

Island Bungalows D3 (f) D3 (f) Threshold Yes Island Bungalows Operator Standards

Home Stay D3 (g) D3 (g) No Yes Home Stay Operator Standards

Camp Site D3 (h) D3 (h) No Yes Camp Site Operator Standards

E3 - TOURISM TRANSPORTATION, PRODUCTS

Tourism Accredited Public Services

Air Transport, Transfer and Tour Operator - Tourism Accredited E3(1) E3 (a) No Yes Air Transport, Transfer and Tour Operator Standards

Water Transport, Transfer and Tour Operator - Tourism Accredited E3(2a) E3 (b) No Yes Water Transport, Transfer and Tour Operator Standards

Bus Transport and Transfer - Tourism Accredited E3(3a) E3 (c) Yes Yes Bus Transport and Transfer Operator Standards

Taxi Transport and Transfer - Tourism Accredited E3(3a) E3 (d) Yes Yes Taxi Transport and Transfer Operator Standards

Private Transfer Operator - Tourism Accredited E4(a) E3 (e) No Yes Private Transfer Operator Standards

Rental and Hire Services - Tourism Accredited E3(3b) E3 (f) Yes Yes Rental and Hire Service Standards

Spa and Beauty Services Operator - Tourism Accredited G2(b) E3 (g) No Yes Spa and Beauty Services Operator Standards

Restaurants, Cafes, Takeaways and Bars - Tourism Accredited no code E3 (h) No Yes Restaurant, Cafe, Takeaway and Bar Operator Standards

Tourism Packaging and Guiding Services

Inbound Travel Operator E3(4c) E3 (i) Threshold Yes Inbound Travel Operator Standards

Outbound Travel Operator E3(4b) E3 (j) Threshold Yes Outbound Travel Operator Standards

Tour Guide E3(4d) E3 (k) No Yes Tour Guide Standards

Unique Tourism Service no code E3 (l) No Yes (Tailored - DoT discretion only)

Tourism Activities - Land

Land Active and Adrenaline Activity Operator E3(6a) E3 (m) No Yes Land Active and Adrenaline Activity Operator Standards

Land Recreational and Soft Adventure Activity Operator no code E3 (n) No Yes Land Recreational and Soft Adventure Activity Operator Standards

Traditional and Cultural Activity Operator E3(6b) E3 (o) No Yes Traditional and Cultural Activity Operator Standards

Handicraft and Arts Shop E3(4e) E3 (p) No Yes Handicraft and Arts Shop Operator Standards

Recreational Grounds and Facilities G2 E3 (q) No Yes Recreational Grounds and Facilities Operator Standards

Tourism Activities - Water

Water Active and Adrenaline Activity Operator E3(5a) E6 (r) No Yes Water Active and Adrenaline Activity Operator Standards

Water Recreational and Soft Adventure Activity Operator no code E3 (s) No Yes Water Recreational and Soft Adventure Activity Operator Standards

Scuba Diving E3(5b) E3 (t) No Yes Scuba Diving Operator Standards

Yacht and Boat Charters E3(2b) E3 (u) No Yes Yacht and Boat Charters and Tours Operator Standards