17 Jan 2011

Cyclone clouds Vanuatu tourism industry

4:19 pm on 17 January 2011

There is concern in Vanuatu over the impact of recent bad weather on the tourism industry.

Cyclone Vania passed through the south of the country last week and affected cruise ships which were forced to change course.

Taxi and bus drivers in Port Vila, who normally meet ships, saw the Pacific Dawn cruise ship turn around near Ifira islands and disappear.

According to the tourist office, about 1,000 passengers were on board.

The Climate Change office in Port Vila says Vanuatu is entering the La Nina season, with more cyclones expected.