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, New Caledonia, Niue, Republic of Marshall Islands, 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.
Sixteen Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) member countries that have opened their borders to international tourists and travel are also part of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Tourism Recovery Tracker. According to the UNWTO World Tourism, as growing numbers of countries around the world ease restrictions on travel, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Tourism … read more
read more
Port-Vila, Vanuatu – Thursday, 11 August 2022: The Vanuatu Tourism Office and the Vanuatu Post Ltd are excited to re-launch the Vanuatu Volcano Post Box, at the rim of the world’s most accessible volcano, Mt. Yasur, on the island of Tanauta or widely known as Tanna, on Thursday, 11 August 2022. “Mt. Yasur is one … read more
read more
The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) commended the governments of Cook Islands and French Polynesia on the announcement of the first inaugural commercial flight from Rarotonga (RAR) to Pape’ete (PPT) this month. In welcoming the announcement, SPTO CEO Mr Christopher Cocker congratulated the island nations for their commitment to tourism in the Pacific. Adding that this … read more
read more
The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) is pleased to announce that it will be working with Webmedia South Pacific (Fiji) Pte Limited to develop its Information Portal, under the New Zealand government-funded Pacific Digital Tourism Transformation Project (Phase 2). Through the development of an information portal, SPTO intends to bolster interaction and collaboration with key stakeholders. … read more
read more
TEWAKA, an award-winning 100% Fijian-owned and operated tourism transport and destination management services company launched their Carbon Footprint Offset activity with the support of the Ministry of Forestry by planting 800 mangrove seedlings at the Natabua foreshore in Lautoka, today. Managing Director, James Sowane stated that offsetting the company’s carbon footprint from its fleet emissions … read more
read more
The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) will convene the inaugural Pacific Sustainable Tourism Leadership Summit (PSTLS) on Wednesday 2nd November in the Cook Islands. Conceptualized by former Chairman Mr. Halatoa Fua, the PSTLS will support the transformational change of SPTO in key areas, as highlighted in the SPTO Strategic Plan 2020-2024. Moreover, it is envisaged that … read more
read more
New Caledonia, The Islands of Tahiti, and Papua New Guinea are the first Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) member countries alongside 71 countries in the world that have lifted their COVID-19 travel restrictions and have reopened to international travel and tourism. These three Pacific Island nations join Australia from the Oceania region to have no COVID-19 … read more
read more
The Pearl Resort & Spa welcomes Executive Chef Vincenzo Maione. Born in Maddaloni, a small town in Campania, and raised in Napoli, Italy, he was inspired by his family’s love for cooking. Vincenzo’s passion for food started at an early age through traditional family celebrations and long Italian feasts. His interest and desire for improvement … read more
read more
The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) has welcomed data released by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) indicating a steady recovery of international tourism for the first five months of 2022. According to the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, almost 250 million international arrivals were recorded from January – May this year. This compares to 77 … read more
read more
Friday, 05 August 2022, Port-Vila, Vanuatu: The Vanuatu Tourism Office welcomes the return of Solomon Airlines, after over two years of temporary suspension of commercial services between Honiara and Port-Vila, as a result of border restrictions due to Covid-19. Solomon Airlines resumed its first service today [02 August 2022], landing at midday in Port-Vila. “Seeing … read more
read more
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.
VIEW INITIATIVES
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
read more
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
read more
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
read more
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
read more
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 more
