The Vanuatu Tourism Assistance Program (VTAP) is funded through the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and managed by the Department of Tourism.

From 2016 to 2019 the VTAP funded the Vanuatu Strategic Tourism Action Plan (VSTAP) which outlined 37 project activities which were implemented by DoT and VTO under a Project Team Leader and 8 local staff. The VSTAP achieved its six key objectives of:

• Improving Governance, Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building
• Destination Marketing to increase visitor value
• Product Development to make Vanuatu more competitive
• Well planned Infrastructure and Transport Access
• Increased local and foreign Tourism Investment
• A co-ordinated approach to Human Resource Development

Some of the main projects and programs completed under VSTAP 2016 to 2019:

• Destination Website Redevelopment
• Vanuatu Tourism Infrastructure Project (VTIP)
• Vanuatu Sustainable Tourism Policy
• Tourism Investment Study
• Organisational Review and Capacity Needs Study
• Destination Marketing Strategy
• Microfinance Scoping Study
• National Tourism Awards
• National Tourism Forum
• Vanuatu Tourism Permits and Accreditation Program (VTPAP)
• Handicrafts Business Development Program (HBDP)
• Tourism Ambassadors Program
• Destination Branding & Market Positioning Strategy
• Vanuatu Discovery Trails Product Development Program
• International Visitor Survey

The Safe Business Operations (SBO) Training Program is a mandatory industry training to ensure workplace compliance with the health and safety protocols for COVID-19. All businesses, not just tourism businesses, are included in the program. It is managed by DoT through a National Co-ordinator in partnership with the Department of Public Health, the Australia Pacific Training Coalition, the Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, World Vision Vanuatu, Vanuatu Institute of Technology and the Vanuatu Skills Partnership.

Domestic Tourism Campaign also known as Sapotem Lokol Turisim. The Vanuatu Tourism Office (VTO) has launched its Domestic Tourism Marketing Strategy 2021-2023. The global Covid-19 pandemic has provided a unique opportunity to encourage more Ni-Vanuatu and expatriate residents to experience more of what Vanuatu has to offer.

The Tourism Business Support Program (TBSP) was based on a report from DoT consultants submitted in December 2020 and launched in March 2021. It is managed by DoT through a National Co-ordinator and a representative Steering Committee. The TBSP provides financial support and technical assistance for eligible tourism businesses to survive the impacts of the COVID crises and to have them ready to receive tourists when international borders are open again.

The Agritourism Support Program which has recently been rebranded as The Produktif Turism Blong Yumi (PTBY) Program, is managed through DoT with a National Co-ordinator and an Advisory Committee. They are working with and mentoring 27 local businesses who have formed the Vanuatu Agritourism Association. The program aims to increase the use of local cuisine in the tourism industry and create a point of difference with Vanuatu’s local cuisine through the Traditional Cuisine Revival Program and the Slow Food Educational Program which seeks to increase the use of local sustainable organic produce within the tourism industry and raise the nutritional quality of food served to tourists.

The Cruise Tourism Product Development Program is managed by DoT through the National Cruise Tourism Management Committee (NCTMC) and has been actively implementing the recommended action plan from the Vanuatu Sustainable Cruise Tourism Plan approved and adopted in March 2020. The following activities have been undertaken: Feasibility Study for an Expedition ship to be based in Vanuatu; Yacht Survey and Report; meetings with the ADB about the Vanuatu Ports Development Plan.