Grand Hotel and Casino reopens after earthquake as tourism rebounds
Fourteen months after a powerful earthquake devastated Port Vila, Vanuatu’s capital is signaling a safe return to business as hotels reopening and new tourism investments help recovery across the island nation.
At the center of this resurgence is the Grand Hotel and Casino Vanuatu, which reopened following an extensive restoration program sparked by the December 2024 earthquake. The reopening of the 74-room waterfront resort, a central, four-star hotel overlooking the harbour, is a milestone in the capital’s regeneration.
Vanuatu, an archipelago of 83 islands two hours and 40 minutes by plane from Brisbane, has long relied on tourism as a major economic driver. The earthquake killed 14 people and injured hundreds more, disrupting operations in parts of Port Vila port and causing the temporary closure of many properties. But 2025 will be marked by phased reopenings, renovations and new initiatives, especially on the hardest hit Efate, the island where the capital is located.
Following the reopening of its casino in December 2025, the Grand Hotel restoration includes a reinforced internal framework and a complete redesign of core systems and goes beyond cosmetic repairs to future-proof this landmark.
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The renovated hotel features renovated harbor view rooms and suites with private balconies and marble bathrooms, as well as upgraded dining areas such as the Grand Dining Room and Cabana Pool Bar.
The reopening comes as Vanuatu’s wider tourism sector makes a strong recovery. Bookings to South Pacific destinations are up 29 percent year-over-year, according to Ignite Travel Group. The Vanuatu Tourism Office reported a 27 percent increase in the number of arrivals to Australia in the first eight months of 2025 compared to the previous year, surpassing the total number of 2024 arrivals.
Tourism officials say Australian travelers have been instrumental in recovery efforts.
“We are very grateful for the support of our Australian neighbors in accelerating Vanuatu’s post-earthquake recovery,” says Adela Issachar Aru, CEO of the Vanuatu Tourism Office.
Properties reopening or coming online in 2026 include Turtle Cove Villas, a new four-villa project on the north side of Efate that opened in January. Restoration work is underway at the popular Holiday Inn in Port Vila and is expected to reopen in mid-2026 with a renovated hospitality wing.
Several boutique resorts resumed operations late last year. Havannah, an adults-only property on Efate’s northwest coast, reopened in November after nearly a year of closure, returning its 17 private villas to the market. Tamanu on the Beach also reopened in November after renovations, unveiling new beach villas on Efate’s south coast.
E’Nauwi Beach Resort, southwest of Efate, opened for the first time with its 16 beachfront bungalows; Ratua Private Island Resort in Espiritu Santo has renewed both its rooms and dining experience.
New food and beverage offerings also add to the destination’s momentum. Mali Beach Club, a new beachfront restaurant on Mele beach, attracts visitors with its cocktails and casual dining overlooking the water.
Air capacity is expanding in parallel with demand. Qantas is increasing daily flights between Brisbane and Port Vila from this month. Solomon Airlines has added two additional services to the Brisbane-Espiritu Santo route, while Virgin Australia operates four flights a week between Brisbane and Port Vila. Jetstar has flights from Sydney.
For local operators, the steady stream of reopenings signals more than rising occupancy rates. It represents the return of employment, the revival of supply chains and the rebuilding of trust among investors and travelers alike.
Following natural disasters, small island economies often face long periods of recovery. Vanuatu’s tourism recovery is a good news story of coordinated restoration, regional support and Australian travelers’ appetite for short-haul Pacific escapes. To see grandvanuatu.com, vanuatu.travel/au
Julietta Jameson is a freelance travel writer who’d rather be in Rome, but her hometown of Melbourne is a happy compromise.Connect via email.
