President: Derreck French Treasurer: Fanny Cyrel Secretary: Esly Kalo

Committee Members: Kalori Koriaru Charlie Mala Rodney Habla

Members:

• Cutting Edge Adventures
• Sun Rise Tours
• Island Tours
• Island Safaris
• Nafonu Tours
• Horizon Tours
• Frank King Tours
• Tamaso Aliat Wi Tours
• Adventures In Paradise
• Adventure Centre
• South Pacific Tours
• Evergreen Tours
• Namalau Excursions
• Sailaway Cruises
• Coongoola
• Touvannah Fishing
• Natan Kanas Restaurant
• Epule River
• Klems Hill Lookout
• Rason Vanua Tours
• Tanna Bicycle Tours
• Blue Sea Fishing Charter
• Ian Kanas
• Raon Raon Tours
• Oceanic Expeditions - "Octopussy"
• Mystery Island
• Solo
• Tropic Jet
• Magaliliu
• Saltwater Fishing
• Ymer
• Response
• Beachcomber
• Nautilus
• Tranquility Tours
• Tropical Adventure Tours
• Neptune
• Tiva

The benefits for members include:

• Up to date reports on the industry development via NTO
• Discounted travel opportunities
• Monthly debates on the development of the industry
• Greater input into national tourism development
• Recognition by the Vanuatu Government
• Inclusions in NTO website & national promotions
• Recognition by all tourism associations
• Preferred consideration by Hoteliers
• Guaranteed exposure overseas
• Ability to display VTOA emblem

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Vanuatu Tour Operators Association Constitution Objects and Rules

There shall hereby be established an association known as the "VANUATU TOUR OPERATORS ASSOCIATION".

This association hereinafter referred to as "the Association" shall be an association of business and professional persons, other persons and bodies corporate associated together for the purpose of carrying out the objects and duties hereinafter set out.

Objects

The primary objects for which the association is established are:

a). The promotion and protection of tour operations throughout the Republic of Vanuatu.

b). The collection and diffusion of information on all matters of interest to tour operators.

c). The representation of tour operators in dealings with other persons, or organizations public or private, national or international.

d). The raising of funds by subscription and other means for the purposes of the attainment of these objects.

e). The leasing, acquisition or construction of premises for the proper use and management of the Association.

f). The doing of all such other things as may be conducive to the attainment of the above objects as approved by General Assembly.

Rules

1.Membership

• 1.1 The number of members shall be unlimited
• 1.2 The minimum age for membership or to represent a member shall be 21 years.
• 1.3 There shall be two distinct categories of membership: - ordinary membership - associate membership.
• 1.4 Only ordinary members at General Meetings shall have the right to vote and only ordinary members may be elected to membership of the committee.
  Associate members shall not be eligible for membership of the Committee, and shall not have the right to vote, but may be present as observers at General Meetings. They may also be appointed by the Committee to serve on Sub-committees as designated by the said Committee.
• 1.5 The following may apply for ordinary membership:
  • 1.5.1. Any person, society, association or body corporate, resident or legally registered in Vanuatu and in possession of a valid, "E" category Business License or, any category that may replace or incorporate the "E" category.
  • 1.5.2. Certain persons, societies, associations or bodies corporate. Resident or legally registered in Vanuatu exempted from holding a Business License but whose activities or spheres of operation could serve the objects of the Association, subject however to the right of the Committee to accept or reject such application.
• 1.6 The following may apply for associate membership:
  • 1.6.1. Any persons, societies, associations or bodies corporate whose activities or spheres of influence could serve the objects of the Association, subject however to the right of the Committee to accept or reject such application.
• 1.7 All applications for membership must indicate the person authorized to represent them; each corporate member shall be represented by a single resident person.
• 1.8 Any member, individual or corporate, shall at the option of the Committee cease to be a member if:
  • His subscription is six months in arrears.
  • He fails to observe any rule of the Association.
  • He acts in a manner considered unbecoming or prejudicial to the Association.
  • He is declared insolvent or bankrupt.
  • He is convicted of any felony.
  • He is declared insane.
  • In the case of an ordinary member, he loses the status of resident.
  • In the case of an ordinary member, his "E" category business license that qualifies him for membership is not renewed or is revoked for whatever reason.

2. Joining Fee/Subscriptions

• 2.1 The amount of the joining fee shall be 2,000 Vatu per member.
• 2.2 Subject to confirmation by the Committee that the applicant does not fall within the categories for exclusion as defined in paragraph 1.8 and subject to the right of the Committee referred to in respect of applications falling under the provisions of 1.5.1 and 1.5.2 above; payment of the appropriate subscription will bestow the status of ordinary or associate membership in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 1.5. And 1.6.
• 2.3 The amount of the subscription for ordinary members shall be fixed by the Committee. Likewise the Committee shall be authorized to fix the amount of the subscription payable for associate membership.
• 2.4 The Committee will determine the opening and closing date for the financial year. Once struck, the date shall not be changed except by a resolution carried by a simple majority of a General Meeting of members.
• 2.5 The amount of the subscription, which is non-refundable, shall be fixed for the duration of each financial year.
• 2.6 The subscription shall be due and payable before the end of the financial year. Any subscription not paid by that date shall be deemed to be in arrears and ordinary members will lose their right to vote at General Meetings until such time as their arrears are paid.

3. The Executive Committee

• 3.1.A The Association shall have an Executive Committee hereinafter referred to as "the Committee" of seven members elected every year from and by the ordinary members at a general meeting.
• 3.1.B Members of the Committee shall be elected as individuals even though they may represent a corporate membership.
• 3.1.C In the case of candidates obtaining the same number of votes, the candidate shall be elected by the drawing of lots.
• 3.2 Candidates for election to the Committee shall be -proposed and seconded by two ordinary members and their names received by the Secretary prior to the Annual General Meeting.
• 3.3 The Committee shall elect from its members the Chairman, the Vice-Chairman, the Secretary and the Treasurer whose period of office shall run until the next Annual General Meeting. Members may be eligible for re-election.
• 3.4 Membership to the Committee shall be honorary.
• 3.5 The Committee shall be responsible for the administration and management of the Association, and may be given specific powers by resolution of a General Meeting.
• 3.6 The Committee shall have the power to nominate any ordinary member to fill a position on the Committee becoming vacant for whatever reason, but only for the unexpired portion of the Committee's present term of office.
• 3.7 The manner of procedure, conduct of Committee meetings and notice to convene meetings, shall be decided upon by the Committee by resolution.
• 3.8 The quorum of the Committee at any meeting shall be four persons present and the Chairman or in his absence the Vice-Chairman, the Secretary or the Treasurer shall chair such meeting.
• 3.9 Decisions of the Committee shall be made by simple majority of the members present. In the event of a tied vote, the Chairman shall have a casting vote.
• 3.10 The Committee shall have power to appoint sub-committees, sections, groups or branches for such purposes as it shall decide, and such sub-committees, sections, groups or branches may consist of ordinary or associate members, but shall include at least one member of the Committee. No resolution of any sub-committee, section, group or branch so appointed shall be binding on the Association until approved by the Committee.
• 3.11 The Committee is authorized to correspond with any other association or organization, and by delegation of a General Meeting, to enter into agreements on matters relating to tour operations and tourism in general.

4. General Meetings

• 4.1 The Foundation General Meeting shall be convened at the request of the Steering Committee elected by ballot at the preliminary meeting held at Club Vanuatu on April 15 1994. The Foundation General Meeting may take place without the necessity of a specific quorum or notice of meeting.
  The meeting shall elect by simple majority, the members of the definitive Committee to serve for the first period of office, to be proposed and seconded by members of the Association. The steering Committee shall be automatically dissolved on the election of the definitive Committee.
• 4.2 General Meetings of the Association shall be convened by decision of the Committee, but there must be at least two General Meetings each year.
• 4.3 In addition to General Meetings convened by the Committee, the Chairman or in his absence, the Vice Chairman, the Secretary or the Treasurer shall convene a General Meeting, subject to the required period of notice, on receipt of a request in writing signed by at least two thirds of the financial, ordinary members. Such request shall state the purpose for the convening of the meeting.
• 4.4 Notice of all General Meetings shall be given at least fourteen days in advance and shall contain an Agenda of that meeting.
• 4.5 The quorum at any General Meeting of the Association shall be a simple majority of financial members. If a quorum is not attained, the meeting shall be adjourned to a time and place to be fixed by the Chairman, notification of which shall be sent to the members, and any such adjourned meeting may transact business without further necessity for a quorum.
• 4.6 The Chairman, or in his absence, the Vice-Chairman, the Secretary or the Treasurer, shall chair General Meetings. Decisions shall be taken by simple majority and the Chairman shall have a vote and in the event of a tied vote, a casting vote.
• 4.7 Each ordinary member has the right to one vote.
• 4.8 The Annual General Meeting shall be held no later than thirty days after the close of the Association's financial year. The business to be transacted shall include:
  • The reception and consideration of Annual Reports by the Committee.
  • The reception and consideration of the financial statements of the Association for the preceding financial year.
  • The election of members to the Committee.

5. Other Rules

• 5.1 The Treasurer shall cause proper books of account to be maintained.
• 5.2 Notwithstanding the provisions of article 4.5, the Association may amend modify or rescind the Constitution and Rules by a resolution approved by a two-thirds majority of the ordinary members present at a properly convened General Meeting. The notice convening such meeting must state the reason for the meeting and detail the proposed amendments or modifications.