National associations/organizations
As an entrepreneur and business owner, what kind of associations and organizations can I join?
- The Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) is Vanuatu’s National Private Sector organization. Established in 1995 under the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Vanuatu Act, the Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) is a statutory body with a 16 member Council that represents Vanuatu’s private sector.
Benefits: The VCCI represents the private sector in dialogue with Government and others, and by providing effective business development services across the country.
Cost: There is no cost to join. All businesses with a valid Vanuatu business license are automatically VCCI members.
Requirements: A valid Business License
More information can be found here: https://vcci.vu
- V- LAB is a charitable association created to support innovation and social entrepreneurship in Vanuatu.
Benefits: V-LAB seeks to provide access to facilities, services and mentoring to the young entrepreneurs in Vanuatu with a view to enable them to develop and grow their businesses and ideas as well as to promote entrepreneurship in the country.
Cost: Entrepreneurs are sponsored as part of a program funded by V-LABs donor partners. Under these programs, V-LAB clients receive a package of support which include training, coaching, networking and financial support. Those who are not embedded into one of the V-LAB programs can register through their ‘Business Nakamal’. This is a pay for service facility where people can pay a subsidized fee to participate in one of V-LABs learning cycles. You can find these learning cycles and more information on their website: www.v-lab.org
Tourism Associations
There are many tourism associations available in Vanuatu. The main certified associations that tourism businesses can join are:
- The Vanuatu Hotels and Resorts Association (VHRA)
- The Vanuatu Tourism Operators Association (VTOA)
- Espiritu Santo Tourism Association (ESTA)
- Vanuatu Scuba Operators Association (VSOA)
A complete list of tourism associations can be found on the Vanuatu Tourism Office website here: https://www.vanuatu.travel/en/.
Membership of an accredited association such as VHRA is also a requirement for any business license in a tourism category.
There is no membership fee to join these associations. However, a yearly contribution to the Tourism Marketing Development Fund (TMDF) is necessary.
The TMDF is a joint, private sector initiative of several recognized tourism associations across Vanuatu. All members contribute to the TMDF by way of a levy, currently 0.5% of tourism income. Funds are then allocated to projects by the TMDF Board, which includes representatives from each contributing association with the VHRA holding the chair and veto vote. Funding is allocated by the board to projects of that promote Vanuatu, often in partnership with the Vanuatu Tourism Office and Air Vanuatu. The long-term objective of the fund is a strong destination marketing programme, funded and administered by the private sector for the benefit and development of Vanuatu’s tourism sector
Vanuatu Hotels and Resorts Association (VHRA)
The Vanuatu Hotels and Resorts Association (https://www.vanuatuhotelsandresorts.com) provides a bridge between members and the tourism sector, industry partners and government agencies. They are the channel for government departments and the Vanuatu Tourism Office to distribute information to accommodation providers and represent members in discussions with same. The executive committee meet regularly to discuss and action a range of issues that affect the industry.
VHRA membership is available to all hotel and resort operators in Vanuatu, any other business with a valid Tourism Permit and organizations working closely with the accommodation sector. Their current membership represents operators from across the islands of Vanuatu. Members of the Vanuatu Hotels & Resorts Association are entitled to representation by VTO and to participate in destinational marketing activities, campaigns and promotions.
Smaller properties are represented through a separate organization, the Vanuatu Island Bungalows and Tourism Association.
Membership of an accredited association such as VHRA is also a requirement for any business license in a tourism category.
Membership form (https://www.vanuatuhotelsandresorts.com/VHRAMembershipApplication.pdf). To apply for a membership complete and return it, with the required paperwork, to: secretary@vanuatuhotelsandresorts.com.
Cost. There are no membership fees, but membership is conditional on ongoing contributions to the Tourism Marketing Development Fund. The current levy is 0.5% of tourism income; once your membership is confirmed we will provide details on how to administer and contribute the levy each month. Accounting for the levy is the choice of each member, some add the levy to guest accounts, others absorb in their pricing. For more information: https://www.vanuatuhotelsandresorts.com/TDMF.pdf.
Vanuatu Tour Operators Association (VTOA):
VTOA exists to represent its members to the government and act as a communication channel from the Vanuatu Tourism Office. The Vanuatu Tourism Office (VTO) does not send out communications to individual businesses except for its newsletter. Rather, the VTO distributes correspondence to certified tourism associations, who in turn distribute to their members. These communications include marketing updates, media buy in opportunities, and news regarding upcoming activities.
Cost to join: There are no membership fees, but membership is conditional on ongoing contributions to the Tourism Marketing Development Fund. The current levy is 0.5% of tourism income; once your membership is confirmed we will provide details on how to administer and contribute the levy each month. Accounting for the levy is the choice of each member, some add the levy to guest accounts, others absorb in their pricing.
Women’s Export Association Vanuatu (WEAV) – Handicraft Association
Membership-based organization supporting the export and services of women owned enterprises in Vanuatu. More information can be found here: https://web.facebook.com/weavanuatu/?_rdc=1&_rdr.
Farming/Agriculture Associations:
- Syndicat Agricole et Pastoral de Vanuatu (SAPV)
- It is a registered charitable organization which started in 1913.
- It aims to provide affordable, quality farm supplies to all its farmer members. It has outlets in Vila and Luganville and supplies a store in Lenakel.
- Benefits: Access to farming and agricultural products at a reduced cost and access to resourceful information/guidelines for various farming practices.
- Membership Fee: Visit the SAPV located in Freshwota 1/Stade Area and fill out the membership form.
- Cost: VT 2000 annually.
- Farm Support Association (FSA)
- The FSA assists farmers on the field, mainly in in rural areas, with extension services (such as training) for poultry, piggery, agroforestry, vegetables, root crops improvement, land rehabilitation, and spice production.
- The association also conducts applied research on improved planting materials and vegetable production along with soil erosion control.
- The FSA has been involved with Organic Internal Control systems for spices in Vanuatu for more than 20 years.
- Cost: varies depending on the type of training/services required.
