Background
In 2021, the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) embarked on a visionary journey to shape the future of tourism in the Pacific region. Recognizing the critical role of data and statistics in informed decision-making, SPTO unveiled the ambitious Pacific Tourism Statistics Strategy (PTSS). This ten-year strategy envisions a Pacific empowered by sustainable tourism, underpinned by a robust foundation of regular, accessible, and high-quality tourism statistics and intelligence.
To bring this vision to life, SPTO launched the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Indicators Framework (PSTIF) in 2022. Under the expert guidance of the IDEEA Group, PSTIF aimed to establish a core set of indicators to measure tourism sustainability and strengthen the statistical infrastructure for tourism-related information in the Pacific region.
This project has been a collaborative effort involving National Tourism Organisations, National Statistics Offices, and regional development partners, all working together to create a framework that addresses current gaps and promotes sustainable tourism practices.
Framework
PSTIF
The Pacific Sustainable Tourism Indicators Framework (PSTIF) is designed to measure and enhance the sustainability of tourism in the South Pacific. Developed with the guidance of the IDEEA Group and supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (NZMFAT), PSTIF establishes a comprehensive set of indicators and strengthens the statistical infrastructure for tourism data.
Since its inception, PSTIF has made significant progress. On August 4, an online workshop was held to raise awareness about PSTIF and its practical applications. Facilitated by experts Mr. Mark Loud and Mr. Carl Obst, the workshop brought together participants from SPTO member countries, government agencies, and the private sector, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing among stakeholders.
Latest Development
A consultant has been hired to create a digital dashboard for benchmarking purposes. This dashboard, currently in development, will serve as a vital tool for monitoring and evaluating the sustainability of tourism activities in the region, providing real-time insights to guide decision-makers. In May 2024, a workshop was held in Nadi, which was attended by nineteen (19) National Tourism Offices (NTOs). During this workshop, the consultant presented the skeleton of the digital dashboard, showcasing its design and functionality.
SPTO representative also highlighted the importance of the dashboard and encouraged engagement with the project, emphasizing the benefits it will bring to the NTOs.Data collection is in process, involving all NTOs and National Statistics Offices (NSOs), which will be fed into the dashboard to enhance its functionality and effectiveness. This collaborative approach will foster sustainable tourism practices throughout the Pacific region.
Key Objective
The primary goals of the Pacific Tourism Research Cooperation Framework are to:
Build Partnerships
Connect key players in tourism research and statistics to foster collaboration.
Promote Inclusivity and Ownership
Develop a collaborative approach that ensures all stakeholders have a sense of ownership.
Operationalize Resilience
Place resilience at the center of the framework, empowering stakeholders to address challenges effectively.
Address Gaps
Recognize common objectives and mandates to fill current gaps in tourism research.
Boost Cooperation
Facilitate easier research, data collection, and dissemination processes.
Optimize Resources
Ensure the effective use of opportunities and resources.
Information Exchange
Improve the accessibility of tourism statistics through better information sharing.
Guideline Provision
Offer a clear roadmap for partners and researchers to advance their tourism research initiatives.