Over the next few months the creator of the
guide, Richard Chesher, plans to move most of the
content of the Rocket Guide to Vanuatu onto the
new website to make the professional destination travel guide available to a
global public market.
The new website has two main themes, the first is "book
direct" - and, as always, the Rocket Guide will provide the information
and contact details so prospective visitors can easily contact the
properties and activities directly to book their holiday.
"The ease of access of information on the Internet and the
speed and interactivity of emails makes booking through middle-men less
and less appealing to both the properties and the users. One problem
Vanuatu hotels and resorts need to overcome is the search-engine
intervention game where extensive international networks of Internet
booking agents unite to get the highest search engine ratings and thus
make it difficult for prospective visitors to find the email and website
details of the hotels and resorts.
The second theme of Vanuatu-Vacations.com is "every hotel
and resort has it's own personality" the new website provides the photos
and descriptions to help visitors select the hotel or resort best suited
to their particular holiday plans. There are special sections to assist
people who are traveling with children, going on honeymoons, arranging
weddings, or seeking adventure travel.
The well known www.rocket-guide-vanuatu.com website is now primarily a
way for travel professionals and the public to obtain the CD-ROM version
of the guide. "The CD will remain critical for travel professionals
because of the speed of operation, full screen size images and virtual
reality presentation. Also, the CD version is like a business card -
something physical you can hand to someone so they don't forget you."
Participants of the 2008 version of the Rocket Guide are all
included in the new website and are encouraged to contact Richard via the
new website contact page to discuss any changes - especially changes in
email addresses, web site details, or other information that they would
like included or deleted."
Photo: Little girl carries flowers off
to mum at the colourful and vibrant Port Vila markets. Photo courtesy of
Richard Chesher.
