Vanuatu’s riches

THE archipelago has much to offer the international tourism market first and foremost, the sheer sense of space and the large number of islands, a totally unspoilt natural environment with few manmade modifications, and scenery that makes it a paradise on Earth.

The beaches are brilliant white, the sand in places such as Champagne Beach in Santo is unusually fine, ana the coral reefs and seabed are a delight to the eye.

Until now, Vanuatu has made very little use of its fabulous potential and tourism did not begin to develop, and then only very slowly, until the 19705.

Over the past few years, though, the archipelago has been turned upside down. Direct air links with Sydney, Brisbane, Noumea and Suva have increased in number and frequency and there has been increased interest on the

Japanese market.

Large new hotels have been built to international standards, providing accommodation for all tastes and pockets.

The duty-free policy which has led to the introduction of products from Japan and Hong Kong onto the local market, and their sale at particularly low prices, is another attractive feature.

Shopping, however, is not limited to the latest optical or electronic gadgets. A wide range of local craft products are on sale in the curio shops or unscheduled markets held in Port Vila, Santo and the

Islands. Tourists can buy pareos, sou venirs and a whole miscellany of tra ditional objects made of wood or bas ketry including ritual masks, ceremonial chieftain sticks, puzzles, baskets, bed mats, and necklaces of Pacific shells, Sometimes, but more rarely, tourists are lucky enough to find the strange spiral pigs teeth which take many years of careful farming to produce and which have an astronomical value in cer emonial terms on the Northern Islands, The spiral teeth are much sought-after and very expensive, but they make very attractive bracelets.

Vanuatu is also a land of ritual and custom. The inhabitants of these Melanesian islands have succeeded in maintaining their traditional culture and it is infinitely rich, despite a history that includes many a difficult period.

Foreign tourists are not only faced with a totally different natural world; they are also confronted with strange customs dating back many generations.

The people of Vanuatu are proud of their land and their customs, and they are naturally hospitable, The ritual and custom is very much their own but they will share it with tourists ready to respect it and show genuine interest. In pagan and Christian villages alike, visitors are generously welcomed; hospitality is never a mere facade. □

Customs: the people of Vanuatu are naturally hospitable