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.
“Under the theme of “Rethinking Tourism”, World Tourism day 2022 is a good opportunity for the industry’s stakeholders to reflect on the critical need to transform tourism; towards a smarter, stronger, sustainable, resilient and inclusive Pacific Tourism Industry” These were the sentiments shared by SPTO CEO, Christopher Cocker, when he featured on Fiji TV’s Breakfast … read more
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The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) was privileged to work with the United Nations World Tourism Organisation to develop the collection of stories in the recently released – “Tourism Stories Pacific 2022: Resilience through crisis”. Featuring a range of inspiring stories from across the Pacific, including destinations like Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Palau, Kiribati and Fiji, … read more
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Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) Chief Executive and the wider management team were pleased to meet with Ms. Tamar Porat (Business Development Manager) and Mr. Eci Naisele (In-Country Liaison) of Volunteer Services Abroad (VSA) earlier this week. Having signed a Memorandum of Agreement with VSA in January, SPTO acknowledges this partnership as an important enabler of … read more
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After a two-year lapse, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) convened the 2022 Asia Pacific Ministerial Meeting for Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) in Brisbane, Australia. Attended by the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), United Nations member states, intergovernmental, international and national organisations and other stakeholder groups, the meeting offered an important opportunity to … read more
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The Pacific Tourism Organisation welcomes confirmation that Honourable Mickael Forrest, Minister of International Tourism Development of New Caledonia, will lead New Caledonia’s contingent to the upcoming Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) meetings in the Cook Islands from 1st – 3rd November. Ms. Julie Laronde, Director General – Nouvelle Caledonie Tourisme, will be accompanying the Minister and … read more
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Recognizing the need for the Pacific to share experiences around Statistical Literacy, the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), along with other regional organisations, and key stakeholders, participated in the Stats Café webinar, organised by the Pacific Community (SPC) in collaboration with United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. SPTO’s Manager Research and … read more
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Pacific Resort Hotel Group (PRHG) is pleased to announce the appointment of Kemen Reddy, into the role of Head Chef of Little Polynesian Resort. Kemen started as Chef De Partie at Pacific Resort Rarotonga in 2015, quickly rising through the ranks, to hold the position of Senior Sous Chef at Little Polynesian in 2018. Kemen won … read more
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After two years without an on-site Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), the 2022 GSTC Asia-Pacific Sustainable Tourism Conference was held in Gunsan, Korea. The three-day (September 15-17) 2022 GSTC Asia-Pacific Conference focused on the following themes: (i) Attraction & Destination Stewardship (ii) Meeting Incentive Conference Exhibition (MICE) & Hotels (iii) Ecotourism & Heritage. The conference … read more
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A group of research students and lecturers from the Australian National University paid a courtesy visit to the Pacific Tourism Organisation’s office while in Suva. ANU Senior lecturer Sara Beavis highlighted that the visitation to SPTO was one of the last stops for the team as they completed their research and assignments, focusing on Island … read more
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Following the 12th Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders in Honolulu in the past week, the Pacific Tourism Organisation was privileged to attend a reception celebrating a portion of the 2020 cohort of the Pacific Islands Tourism Professional Fellows Program. The Professional Fellows Program is funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by the … 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
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