Fanafo Community launches Tourism Cruise Project

Last Saturday saw the launching of a new trek “Fanafo Tourism Cruise Project Launching “. The 2nd PA to the Ministry of Trade and Tourism declared the trek opened on Saturday 16th February 2008 after his speech. The trek is in collaboration with the National Tourism Development Office through the  assistance with the Northern Tourism Development Office and Fanafo Cruise Ship Entertainment Committee. It is a unique cruise tourism product located at Fanafo area. This is a cruise cultural product because it markets mainly the history of the area and with the help of the Fanafo Committee and Trek Vanuatu is pleased to market this new cruise product. The first custom dancing was performed by the community of Ambae followed by a Banks Group. There is also a short tour to the graveside of the famous Nagriemel Party and a brief history of the Late Jimmy Stevens is being told. Tourists will also be allowed to visit the grave yard of the late leader. Then a short call to the Headquarters of the Nagriemel. At the end of the tour there was refreshment which was mainly fresh fruits, green coconut, fresh passion fruit juice. As has always been kava drinking to mark the opening. At the end of the tour we sat in the nakamal as Adela acting Director NTDO, John Ware and Abel Nako from Trek Vanuatu gave some advice to community on how to improve the tour. Acting NTDO Director mentioned delivering some training for the community on service delivery and tour guide trainings to enhance the skills of the community and other trainings in collaboration with the tour. A proper toilet facility was also mentioned by John Ware Northern Province NTDO.  The tour can cater for 100 tourists a day. Although there will only be 2 cruise ship calls  to Luganville this year Dave Cross ( ESTA chairman ) has called on the community to work  together and try to get the tour on each week on a designated day for hotels, resorts guests in Luganville. The first cruise ship for this year will be on 11th March 2008 and the community will try to  put out a trial for this cruise. So again this is great news for the Tourism Industry especially in the Northern Region and  again this adds on to the lists of activities tourists can do in Luganville. News by VTO Santo Officer: Brenda Andre