Cruisers that have visited Vanuatu, Tonga and Kiribati this year, or are currently visiting these areas are being asked to take part in a major survey, the results of which will hopefully improve the yachting experience in these South Pacific nations.

Published 1 year ago, updated 5 months ago

June 2024 – Surveys Closed and Reports Completed

The yachting surveys are now closed with sufficient responses received to allow the completion of economic analyses.  A series of in-country workshops with government and yachting industry representatives have been held and the completed reports with recommendations for each country are with the client (Market Development Facility) and country partners.

Surveys to collect information about yacht visitation and activity

Tourism departments from Vanuatu, Tonga and Kiribati are supporting this major survey of visiting international yachts which is being undertaken by AMSTEC and Associates, an independent market research company.

The surveys are intended to collect information about the experience and activity of yachts that have visited Vanuatu, Tonga and Kiribati during 2023.

Rory Garland from AMSTEC and Associates said all responses would be kept confidential and that the study will only report information that cannot be traced back to individuals or single yachts.

“The survey results will be used to advise the various country tourism agencies (and yacht industries) on how to improve the yachting experience and services in the South Pacific region.

“Any cruisers or professionally crewed yachts which have visited (or are currently visiting) any of these countries are being asked to complete a simple 10-minute survey.  Fully completed surveys will be eligible to go into a prize draw for a US$500 Amazon.com e-gift card.”

AMSTEC and Associates are the technical consultants responsible for the market research, economic analysis and reporting.  They are working with Market Development Facility (MDF) which is a multi-country initiative that promotes sustainable economic development, which is supported by the Australian Government.

Rory Garland told Noonsite that already there has been an enthusiastic, early response from yachts that have visited Tonga and Vanuatu.

“However, we really need to hear from as many visiting yachts as possible to ensure that we cover all the incredibly diverse range of views and experiences from yachts and their crew who are travelling through these waters,” Rory said.

“Now is a very important time to gather information as many boats are moving through Tonga and Vanuatu with an eye on where they will be spending cyclone season,” he said.

“It will be especially challenging for us to hear from boats moving through Kiribati because it is well off the South Pacific beaten track.

“But we are hoping to intercept some of the yachts that pass through on their way to Marshall Islands or Micronesia towards the end of the year.”

Below are links to two surveys for each country, one for yachts under 24m and another for Yachts over 24m.

• TONGA YACHTS (under 24m length)
 – Single use Link
• TONGA SUPERYACHTS (over 24m length)
Single use Link
• VANUATU YACHTS (under 24m length)
Single use Link:
• VANUATU SUPERYACHTS (over 24m length) 
Single use Link
• KIRIBATI YACHTS (under 24m length)
Single use Link:
• KIRIBATI SUPERYACHTS (over 24m length)
Single use Link: 

Josefa Vanuaca from MDF said the surveys “will result in reports to our partners to hopefully influence changes in policy and procedures related to yachts.”

“We also commissioned a similar survey in Fiji in 2018 which has since resulted in increase in customs duration of stay for yachts for up to 60 months and it was pivotal in getting support from the Fiji government during covid to open up what was termed the blue lanes that allowed yachts to still enter Fiji borders when it was closed to other forms of travel into Fiji,” Josefa told Noonsite.

“The yachting industry is an important sector for Vanuatu, however data on the economic impact cruising yachts have on the economy has been lacking. The Market Development Facility (Australia and New Zealand funded) expanded operations into Vanuatu and noted that this was a gap hence why we are supporting Vanuatu Tourism Office to carry out the survey.”

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Related Links:

• Amstec and Associates
• Vanuatu Tourism
• Tonga Tourism
• Kiribati National Tourism Office

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