On Global Tourism Resilience Day, we celebrate leaders who are strengthening the future of tourism in Vanuatu. Among them is Australia Awards Vanuatu alumna Kathy Garoleo, Acting Shefa Tourism Manager, whose commitment to sustainable development and disaster preparedness continues to make a meaningful impact across the province.
Kathy completed a Bachelor of Business Management at the University of Papua New Guinea through the support of an Australia Awards scholarship. Reflecting on her studies, she shares, “My Bachelor of Business Management played a key role in shaping how I approach my work as a tourism manager. It equipped me with practical skills in planning, budgeting and stakeholder engagement, which I use every day.” Studying in Papua New Guinea’s diverse environment provided both academic knowledge and real-world exposure. She explains that the experience strengthened her strategic thinking and built her confidence as a leader, enabling her to contribute meaningfully to tourism growth in Shefa Province. Kathy also expresses her appreciation, noting, “I would like to thank the Australian Government for the scholarship opportunity, which has helped me grow both professionally and personally.”
For Kathy, tourism resilience is central to Vanuatu’s future. “Tourism resilience means the ability of our sector to endure disasters, adapt quickly and recover strongly,” she says. Shefa Province and Vanuatu have faced significant challenges, including Cyclones Pam, Harold, Judy and Kevin, as well as the global COVID-19 pandemic. These events profoundly affected tourism businesses and reshaped development strategies across the sector. Kathy emphasises diversification, strong partnerships and proactive planning as critical components of resilience. In Shefa, this includes supporting small operators, strengthening local capacity and ensuring communities directly benefit from tourism. Nationally, it involves investment in disaster preparedness, digital marketing, domestic tourism and responsive policy development to enable faster recovery after shocks.
Kathy has also contributed directly to strengthening sector resilience. She supported the development of a disaster response survey for tourism operators in Shefa Province, enabling rapid assessment of cyclone impacts and identification of urgent needs. The findings informed evidence-based support to decision-makers. Following the assessment, she worked with her team to facilitate access to essential recovery resources, including water tanks, building materials and training. This initiative not only accelerated business recovery but also improved preparedness for future disasters.
Encouraging the next generation, Kathy advises young Ni-Vanuatu, especially women aspiring to leadership roles, to believe in their potential. “Leadership is about courage, continuous learning and staying true to your values,” she says. Through education, mentorship and determination, she believes the next generation can help shape a stronger and more resilient tourism future for Vanuatu.