On March 6, 2025, PIC held the fifth seminar “Tourism development with consideration for the habitat of dugongs in the Republic of Vanuatu“ at the Glocal Tourism Network (the “Network”).
(Number of registered participants: 72)　
(For more information on the “Network”, please click here)

At the seminar, Mr Hirotaka Tsuchiyama, who operates a tour desk for Japanese in Vanuatu (South Pacific Tours), gave a presentation on his efforts to develop environmentally friendly tourism business.

In the seminar, he referred to the development of environmentally-friendly tourism business, including points to keep in mind when using biodiversity and the natural environment as tourism resources and the attitude required of tourists, not to mention those who want to see and learn about dugongs, which are designated as an endangered species.

Ambassador Naohisa Okuda, Embassy of Japan in Vanuatu, also attended the seminar and explained about the situation in the area and the reconstruction after last year’s major earthquake in the capital. He also talked about sustainable tourism, including how to increase the number of eelgrass plants as food for dugongs.

During the Q&A session, questions received in advance were answered and valuable information was shared with participants, such as the demographics of the dugong tour participants and the unexpected effects of increased carbon dioxide emissions.

We hope that this will encourage more people to consider visiting Vanuatu.