March 2020 to Present

Vanuatu Tourism Recovery Plan

Working with the Dept of Tourism as a member of the Tourism Recovery Plan Advisory Committee established in response to the Covid-19 Pandemic which closed borders and shut down the international tourism sector. Tourism contributed a sizeable 48% of Vanuatu’s GDP, providing a massive negative economic impact. The Tourism Recovery Plan has been split into 3  phases, beginning with the Immediate Health Safety Response and Economic Recovery phase from May to Dec 2020, covering:

  • Safeguarding Health for Citizens and Visitors
  • Re-establish International Transport Access
  • Local Business Stimulus Packages and Product Readiness
  • Branding and Messaging to Stimulate International Demand
  • Local Community Communications

Phase 2 outlines a number of short term actions for 2021 and Phase 3 outlines longer term actions for 2022. The Recovery Plan also provides an opportunity to align more to the guidelines provided in the Vanuatu Sustainable Tourism Policy 2019 to 2030.

April 2019 to Feb 2020

Vanuatu Cruise Tourism Development Strategy

Commissioned by the Department of Tourism, Geoff Hyde was the lead consultant in a joint venture with Trek Vanuatu. Cruise tourism included the three main segments of cruise ships, expedition ships and yachts. The following Project activities were undertaken:

  • Assessment and evaluation of the positive and negative impacts of cruise tourism in Vanuatu – cultural, social, environmental and economic.
  • Assessment and evaluation of the Government policies, plans and legislation for cruise tourism and the private sector compliance regarding the management and sustainable development of the cruise tourism industry in Vanuatu.
  • Interview 50 key stakeholders in the private and public sectors and lead stakeholder workshops and forums in the 6 Provinces of Vanuatu.
  • Review of the current brand and marketing activities of cruise tourism and recommended target markets.
  • Develop Recommendations for Monitoring and Evaluation Guidelines
  • Presented a Cruise Tourism Strategy with Action Plan to the revamped National Cruise Tourism Management Committee (NCTMC)

March to December 2019 

Feasibility Study of Air Charters from the Asian Markets, for Chuuk State, FSM

STIL took the tourism planning lead role in a joint venture with AirBiz Aviation Strategies Ltd. Full market and financial analysis; Consultation with airlines servicing FSM and neighbouring Pacific islands; Assessment of previous tourism, aviation, infrastructure and investment plans, legislation and regulations; on-site survey and assessment of airport runways and terminals; stakeholder interviews and workshops; assessment of tourism product diversification and development; survey of dive operators and tour wholesalers.

March 2016 to February 2019

Vanuatu Strategic Tourism Action Plan,

Contracted through NZAid and working within the Ministry of Tourism as the Project Team Leader, with 6 local counterpart staff and contracting a range of technical assistants. Implementing a variety of projects and programs in capacity development, investment, marketing, infrastructure, product development  and human resource development. These included:

  • Tourism Organisational Review and Capacity Needs Study
  • Sustainable Tourism Policy
  • Destination Marketing Strategy
  • Redevelopment of the Destination Website
  • Tourism Investment Strategy
  • Tourism Ambassadors Training and Accreditation Program
  • Diskovarem Efate and Santo, local tourism product development
  • Handicrafts Business Development Program
  • Tourism Accreditation and Certification Program
  • Agritourism Strategy and Action Plan
  • Seafront Tourism Infrastructure Project and Management Plan
  • Review of Provincial Tourism Plans
  • Tourism Market Research and Analysis
  • National Tourism Awards Program
  • Manage the National Tourism Forum
  • Microfinance for Tourism SME’s Study

July 2014 to June 2015

Federated States of Micronesia (FSM): National Tourism Policy and State Tourism Investment Plans
ADB funded project to develop a National Tourism Policy for FSM and State Tourism Investment Plans for Pohnpei, Chuuk, Yap and Kosrae. STIL partnered with the Project Director Development Strategists International Consulting (DSIC), based in the Philippines. STIL consultant Geoff Hyde was appointed as Team Leader and was responsible for overall quality control of project reports, budgets, the inputs and outputs of the project team of four consultants. He also undertook the following duties: liaison with ADB, DSIC and FSM Government representatives; Stakeholder consultations and presentations at eight workshops for each stage across all four island States; Project Presentation at the annual Leaders Conference;  Monder Law, Literature review, field trips and site visits for a Tourism sector assessment and analysis; Training Needs Analysis and HRD capacity report. The Investment Plans also included the Identification, assessment and profiling of tourism projects to meet sustainable tourism development criteria for financing and funding through the USA Compact Agreement, to stimulate economic growth. The process selected 30 projects across all four States for funding and development.

June 2013 to Dec 2015

Fiji: University of the South Pacific (USP) Business Training Courses.
Contracted by the Pacific TAFE Centre at the University of the South Pacific to deliver short courses (17 weeks) in Project Management, Marketing Management and Strategic Planning, for the Professional Diploma in Business Management in Fiji and other Pacific Islands. Have also delivered on-going 4 day training workshops in these programs to PICPA in Tonga, Fiji Airways, Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) and the Commissioner Western’s Office. Both courses and workshops are targeted at senior industry executives and senior Government managers.

Oct 2013 to Nov 2014

Fiji: Sustainable Tourism and Climate Change Mitigation Project.
EU funded through the SPC with GIZ acting as the Project Managers. Assessed the energy efficiency (EE) and renewable energy (RE) programs and projects within the Fiji hotel sector. Assessed financial incentives and funding opportunities to develop PPP investment proposals. Conducted a literature review of national energy and tourism policies. Undertook a wide range of Stakeholder consultations and conducted Workshops. Completed a sample survey of 50 Hotels concerning their status of EE and RE in relation to their GHG emissions. Then selected two model hotels: one to conduct an energy audit and develop an energy management plan; the other to develop a proposal to install a renewable energy hot water system. An EE/RE Handbook for Hotels was also developed as a training tool to improve their operations.