The South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) has officially announced the 5th South Pacific Tourism Exchange 2018 to be held in Adelaide, Australia on April 12th and 13th, 2018.

The South Pacific Tourism Organisation signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Pacific Islands Trade and Investment Commission (PTI China) last Friday to establish a partnership to progress areas of mutual interest in the promotion and growth of the Pacific’s tourism industry in the Chinese market.

Under the title ‘Tourism and Future Energy: Unlocking low-carbon growth opportunities’, industry leaders and policy makers have convened in the Kazakh capital city of Astana to discuss the contribution of the tourism sector to reducing carbon emissions. The Conference is a joint initiative of Astana EXPO 2017 and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Sports of Kazakhstan.

The South Pacific Tourism Organization has shown their support for initiatives to develop the regional private sector by the Pacific Islands Private Sector Organisation (PIPSO) and commended their effort in this regard following a recent Regional Capacity Building training session for PIPSO members in Nadi.

This year marks the 38th year that Pacific Trade Invest (PTI) Australia has been working with Pacific Island countries to facilitate commercial outcomes for Pacific Island businesses.

A 30% savings is being extended to South Pacific resort properties wanting to update their promotional photo libraries in the remainder of 2017. The End-of-Financial-Year package is being offered by David Kirkland, one of the most widely published tourism and resort photographers in the region (www.kirklandphotos.com).

Chef Robert Oliver and one of the masterminds behind the Pacific-inspired Kai Pasifika restaurant in Auckland has been named in the 2017 Kea World Class New Zealand Award recipients, ahead of the Gala Dinner on June 22.

Airport retailing is the largest market in the broader international travel retail market. It includes all retail operations in airports (in departures and arrivals, airside and landside).

After three years at the helm of Pacific Cooperation Foundation (PCF), Laulu Mac Leauanae has been appointed as Chief Executive of the Ministry for Pacific Peoples (MPP). State Services Commissioner Peter Hughes officially announced Mac’s three-year appointment recently, and warmly welcomes Mac to the Public Service.