Fiji Airways and South Pacific Cruise Alliance Appointed to Pacific Tourism Organisation Board of Directors

The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) Board of Directors have renewed the three year terms of existing Private Sector Board Directors in light of complexities presented by COVID-19.

Moreover, the Board also appointed Fiji Airways (Fiji) and the South Pacific Cruise Alliance (SPCA) to sit alongside lifelong member Robert Skews (Turama Pacific) and renewed members Brian Kirsch (Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association) and Ali Serhan (Warwick Le Lagoon Resort and Spa), as private sector representatives on the SPTO Board.

Fiji Airways have replaced Air Niugini as the Board’s airline representative whilst SPCA have replaced Tahiti Nui Travel as a niche specialist operator.

Christopher Cocker, CEO of SPTO, said:

“We are glad to welcome both Fiji Airways and SPCA onto the SPTO Board. Representing regional airlines and cruising industries, they will no doubt provide an important perspective that is critical to the Pacific Tourism Industry, particularly as we prepare for reactivation post pandemic”.

“The private sector plays an extremely important role in the tourism industry and their inclusion on our Board of Directors is indicative of the value we place on their contributions to the Pacific tourism industry”.

Bud Gilroy, Chairman of SPCA, said:

“SPCA is very honored to be sitting on the board of SPTO, representing the cruising industry in the Pacific. We strongly believe that our close collaboration with SPTO will grow this industry for the region and help the recovery of tourism post pandemic. “

The SPTO Board of Directors comprises of twenty Pacific Island government members and China, as well as four private sector representatives.

-ENDS-

About SPTO

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, Rapa Nui, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor Leste, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu Wallis & Futuna and the People’s Republic of China. In addition to government members, the Pacific Tourism Organisation also enlists a private sector membership base.

Any queries may be directed to twaqavonovono@spto.org