Tourism must remain at the centre of Vanuatu’s economic recovery and diversification efforts, says Ms. Lisa Dinh of the Vanuatu Tourism Council

Speaking during the VBTC PRESS KLAB panel discussion, Ms. Dinh stressed that while tourism has been severely impacted by COVID-19, natural disasters, and the collapse of the national airline, it remains one of the fastest ways to revive the economy.

“We live with natural disasters—we can’t wait any longer, we must act,” she said. “Tourism isn’t just about luxury or holidays. It supports the mama at the market, the taxi driver, the mechanic—it keeps money flowing through the economy.”

Ms. Dinh emphasized that tourism is deeply interconnected with many sectors and should not be sidelined in the push for diversification.

She warned that despite the resumption of international flights, the number of visitors remains low due to repeated crises, which have shaken the confidence of both tourists and tourism operators.

“The narrative matters,” she said. “We’re still selling our beaches and smiles, but we have to make sure we’re still selling them in five years. That means reinvesting now—if we can—and ensuring we preserve jobs and support recovery.”