Established in 1983 as the Tourism Council of the South Pacific, the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) is the mandated organisation representing Tourism in the region.
Its 21 Government members are American Samoa, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Marshall Islands, New Caledonia, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor Leste, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis & Futuna, Rapa Nui and the People’s Republic of China. In addition to government members, the Pacific Tourism Organisation has about 200 private sector members.
As we prepare to celebrate Christmas and New Year with our loved ones, let us be thankful for the blessings and trials of 2021. Although this year has been a tough one, we managed to survive with our resilience and endless faith. Our industry has been fantastic this year, and the human spirit has been … read more
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Tourism Solomons’ board, management, and staff would like to take this opportunity to say a very Meri Krismas en Hapi Niu Yia to all our Gud Fala Frens who continue to support us. Wishing you and your families a wonderful festive season and a prosperous 2022. Hopefully, we will all be seeing each other sooner … read more
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The Pacific is paving the way for the development of the regions first UNESCO Global Geoparks under the new Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Pacific Community (SPC) and the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO). The new agreement will provide the opportunity to assign designated sites that focus on unique natural environments and cultural heritage, as … read more
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We are happy to inform you that the SPTO SME Recovery Toolkit is now available on SPTO’s website. The Toolkit comprises of 7 chapters that are designed to support Tourism SMEs in the Pacific respond, adapt, and diversify their products and services through an improved understanding of the changing tourism market and traveler demands. We hope you will find … read more
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Honiara, Solomon Islands – Pictured, the Tourism Solomons team doing their best to get into the Christmas spirit as Honiara, now free of curfew, slowly returns to calm following the recent unrest. In the tourist board’s first statement since the disturbance, Tourism Solomons head of sales & marketing, Fiona Teama (pictured far right) advised while … read more
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The Pacific Tourism Organisation is pleased to announce that from 11th December 2021 Mr Faamatuainu Suifua will serve as the acting Chairman of the SPTO Board of Directors. The current Chief Executive Officer of the Samoa Tourism Authority, Mr Suifua has been a member of the SPTO Board since 2019 and was elected as the … read more
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Pacific Greetings from the Sustainable Tourism & Research Division! November has been another eventful month for the region. In this issue we spotlight key initiatives from around the Pacific including SPTO’s work on Sustainable Tourism, Research and Statistics. The inaugural Pacific Islands Tourism Research Symposium held on 30th November and 1st December was a great … read more
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Teti’aroa is an atoll located in the windward side of French Polynesia, rich in natural and cultural heritage. The Teti’aroa Society has been entrusted the responsibility of developing a plan for managing and conserving this natural wonder. As such, efforts have been proceeding to develop the Teti’aroa Conservation and Sustainable Use Plan to guide conservation … read more
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The identification of opportunities for the development of Geoparks in the Pacific region was the main focus of a preliminary feasibility assessment conducted at four selected sites in Fiji, Samoa, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. Through a new partnership between the UNESCO Pacific Office, The Pacific Community and the Pacific Tourism Organisation, the assessment is an entry … read more
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Centered on the theme Navigating uncertainty through research: Partnering for knowledge-based action in building Pacific tourism forward, the inaugural Pacific Islands Tourism Research Symposium was held virtually on 30th November – 1st December 2021. Attended by 167 participants who joined the event platform over the course of the two days, the symposium provided a space … read more
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Welcome to the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Network! You are here because you have an interest in our efforts to realise a sustainable future for the Pacific Islands through tourism that brings benefits to our people, safeguards our cultural heritage and ensures the environment that we depend on is protected for generations to come.
This platform aims to bring together all stakeholders including individuals, businesses, Government agencies, experts, development partners and travelers to share information, learn from experiences and promote collective efforts in preserving our Pacific destinations through a range of actions that matter.
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Tuvalu is one of the most isolated, smallest, and undeveloped countries in the world. Located midway between in Australia, only the most dedicated and adventurous tourists touch down on this tiny atoll. However, once you get there you’ll be amazed by the friendly welcome and the peace and quiet of these paradise islands. So much … read more
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The islands of Tuvalu are midway between Hawaii and Australia. So, even though they’re tricky to get to, there’s a lot of exciting stuff in store once you arrive! These paradise islands in the South Pacific should be on more travellers’ bucket lists to be honest, but at the minute, it’s one of the least … read more
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Change was needed in the travel industry, even before the pandemic took place. Here’s what 2020 taught us about sustainable tourism and travel for 2021. With 2020 basically putting a halt to all but essential travel, and hotels, monuments, airlines, museums and restaurants trying to reinvent themselves, repurpose their spaces and their services, can the … read more
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To further protect New Zealand from COVID-19, the Government is extending pre-departure testing to all passengers to New Zealand except from Australia, Antarctica and most Pacific Islands, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said today. “The change will come into force for all flights arriving in New Zealand after 11:59pm (NZT) on Monday 25 January, to minimise disruption for those … read more
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Opinion: Sven Lindblad, CEO, Lindblad Expeditions An article in the New York Times on August 27 bore the headline “Move Over Sustainable Travel, Regenerative Travel Has Arrived.” It got a lot of attention, rightfully so, as it was a very meaningful article. The first two paragraphs were telling. “Once accounting for 10% of employment worldwide, … read more
read moreBy: Natalie Kessell Invigorated by my short stay in Nadi, it was time to relish every last bit of the Bula spirit aboard my Fiji Airways flight back home to New South Wales’ capital Sydney. The crew’s beaming smiles assured me the spirit of Fiji was alive and well in the air just as it … read more
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