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| Page: July 2005 Vanuatu travel news - Vanuatu Independence Jubilee celebrations |
Issue 2 - July 2005
This year, 2005, is Vanuatu’s 25th year of Independence – its “Silver Jubilee”! Many class the annual July Independence celebrations as starting as early as the 10th of July and various events around the country taking place each week. Through until the main event at Independence Park in Port Vila (the nation’s capital), on the 30th of July, each year.
This year there was a special event that happened prior to the 10th of July, when 10 couples got married on the 8th of July, in the nation’s largest village, “Mele”, outside of Port Vila on Efate Island.
Other events that are happening during July 2005 are France’s National Day celebration on the 14th of July and Vanuatu’s Charity Horse Race on Saturday the 16th of July, at the “Abattoir Area” near to the Port Vila Golf and Country Club. On the 24th of July is the annual “Children’s Day” celebrations. There will be also Down-town march, Concerts, and Special Events held at some schools, and of course the children receiving gifts from their parents and Godparents, along with orphans getting special gifts from community members.
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| Vanuatu's Charity Horse Race is held near Port Vila Golf & Country Club, to celebrate Vanuatu's 25 years of Independence. |
These various events and general jubilations culminate in the main event of the month, the actual Independence Day Celebrations held at major towns and villages throughout the country. Naturally the biggest excitement and series of events for the day are to be seen at “Independence Park” in Port Vila’s central area. Various events commence on the 22nd and go through to the 31st July, with the 30th being the main day of celebrations at Independence Park.
Coinciding with Vanuatu’s Jubilee year, 2005 is also the National Year for Tourism. And those keen on golfing can participate in the Vanuatu Golf Open held this year in the first week of August.
 Round Island Relay celebrates Vanuatu's Silver Jubilee |
Tourism Australia and Qantas have announced a new three year global destination marketing partnership worth more than $60 million. The partnership, which begins from 1 July 2005, will see Tourism Australia and Qantas work together in 12 of Australia's key source markets, including UK, USA, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Japan, India and New Zealand. (Source: SPTO and Tourism Australia Newsletter 23/06/2005)
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| Australia's international airline Qantas announces new 3-year global marketing partnership. The airliner is also in code-sharing partnership with Air Vanuatu, flying to and from Vanuatu. |
Virgin Atlantic has signed a code share deal with its Australian sister airline Virgin Blue. The agreement will enable customers to book a flight from the UK all the way through to Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Cairns, Gold Coast and Coolangatta using Virgin Blue's internal network. Virgin Atlantic currently operates a daily service to Sydney. The carrier said it would provide a seamless experience for travellers with "smooth and hassle-free" connections between the international and domestic airlines. Virgin Blue chief executive Brett Godfrey said: "It's an exciting step forward as it streamlines the process of booking Virgin all the way, making it easier for travel agents to book our passengers on both airlines." The codeshare agreement starts on July 17. (Source: SPTO and TravelMole News 16/06/2005)