This unit ties in well with the Cultural and Environmental aspects of tours. Here's the brief given to students by St Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace in Brisbane prior to the Study Tour:

"This immersion is aimed at exposing students to a Melanesian Culture, looking at the challenges facing a young, developing country in our region of the world. It will look at the impact of the tourism industry, both good and bad, as well as developing an understanding of the geography and history of the country. It will especially consider the effects of its past colonial history, being a French and British Condominium."

Tourism is BIG business in Vanuatu and is an accessible microcosm of the global tourism industry. To attract tourists, there has to be infrastructure (planes, airports, transfer buses, roads, accommodation, electricity, water, sewage treatment etc). The main question posed: How much tourism is good and is it sustainable? There is a huge demand for holidays in a tropical paradise where visitors can sip colourful cocktails by their resort pool at sunset and, by day, dive, fish, swim, snorkel and soak in the scenery and lifestyle.

But what of the local landowners who sell beachfront real estate to developers? They may not have taken into account that they have 'lost' their beach/ocean that was once an important supply of food. They may become angry if developers purchase the land for what initially appears to be a fair sum, only to see subdivision and the developer realise a far greater profit. They may initially see an employment opportunities for the local village but this may not be part of the resort business plan. For example, if a village elder or family member dies, there can be weeks of mourning under Melanesian custom - that's a long time for a resort to run without staff!

Vanuatu Study Tours can arrange for resort inspections, guest dinner speakers who are involved in tourism or local business and visits to businesses that may not seem an obvious part of the infrastructure required to sustain tourism (e.g. soft drink factory, brewery, the wharf for the arrival of containers, supermarkets, power station, produce gardens etc).

In 2008 there will be 59 large cruise ships docking in Port Vila for the day. With 1000 to 1500 people lobbing in town with a disposable income, this is a great injection for the local economy - but a simple environmental/tourism impact comparison can be undertaken by visiting Mele Cascades waterfall on cruise ship day. It is almost a slow queue taking the track up to this waterfall while, nearby, there's Lololima Cascades, a private waterfall and swimming hole that the students can visit without a tourist in sight. It's all about getting the balance right.

There are also thriving businesses outside the tourism industry. There is a healthy cattle export business and beef from Efate and Santo (best in the world) supplies local restaurants and resorts. Likewise, fishing is important. And Vanuatu is also a tax haven so is extremely attractive for well-heeled investors, online gaming companies and money launderers (if teachers wish to extend the study of 'business' to that degree). Accountancy and legal firms abound in Port Vila.

For an itinerary that can be adapted for business studies, this one from the Gifted and Talented section of the site is a good example.

Email us for more information on how Business Studies can be incorporated into an itinerary or for details on an obligation-free Expression of Interest afternoon/evening.

For a comprehensive list of what to see and do, plus some history and quirky personal observations on Vanuatu, visit Vanuatu A to Z.