The Vanuatu Department of Tourism (DoT), and Planet Happiness have partnered to measure the happiness and well-being of residents throughout Vanuatu’s six provinces. The two organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 17 October 2020. The MOU signals their intent to work together to support responsible destination management.
As part of a long-term partnership, the Happiness Index survey will engage local people and tourism stakeholders to define actions to strengthen destination well-being, moving beyond solely measuring visitor arrivals and contribution to GDP.
“The collaboration with Planet Happiness meets key objectives set out in our 2019-2030 Vanuatu Sustainable Tourism Policy, which is a call to industry, community and Government to transform our tourism industry from dependence to resilience, and to align with our traditional values,” said Vanuatu’s Director of Tourism, Mr Jerry Spooner. “Guided by our Policy, we aim to promote a tourism industry that is ethical, inclusive, cares for all our people, regenerates and protects our environment, customs and culture. The partnership will enhance the resilience of Vanuatu as a destination in the face of climate change and external threats such as COVID 19.”
With the support of tourism stakeholders and government departments, the Department of Tourism will use the findings of the Happiness Index survey to track tourism’s contribution to Vanuatu’s National Sustainable Development Plan (2016-2030) objectives.
“Annual iterations of the survey will help to measure Vanuatu’s progress in meeting many of the country’s UN Sustainable Development Goals. When integrated with Vanuatu’s Sustainable Tourism Policy, the findings will help build Vanuatu’s position as one the Pacific’s most sustainable destinations,” said Mr Spooner.
