4 Apr 2016

Tourist drop in Vanuatu affecting souvenir sellers

8:12 pm on 4 April 2016
Vanuatu market, Port Vila

Vanuatu market, Port Vila Photo: Moera Tuilaepa-Taylor

The lack of tourists coming to Vanuatu is a serious matter for the women selling souvenirs and handicrafts at the market in Port Vila.

Several of the women, known as the 'market mamas', say they often lose money because there are so few customers.

There has been a dramatic decline in tourist arrivals since several foreign airlines stopped flying into Bauerfield Airport over the state of its runway.

A project to repair the runway, funded by the World Bank, is almost complete.