Background
The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) is proud to introduce the Pacific Tourism Research Cooperation Framework (PTRCF). This framework, developed under the leadership of SPTO consultant, Doctor Apisalome Movono, and funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (NZMFAT), aims to guide research efforts to support the sustainable growth of tourism in the Pacific region. Initiated in October 2022 and completed in July 2023, the PTRCF was a collaborative effort involving National Tourism Organisations, National Statistics Offices, and regional development partners.
The PTRCF addresses the need for a coordinated approach to tourism research, enabling stakeholders to share knowledge and resources effectively. By bringing together various entities, the PTRCF creates a unified structure for tourism research governance, ensuring that all stakeholders benefit from a collective and inclusive approach.
Framework
The Pacific Tourism Research Cooperation Framework is designed to foster transformative collaboration and strengthen regional cooperation and global partnerships. By outlining the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders, the framework provides a robust governance structure for tourism research in the Pacific. This structure facilitates the setting of research priorities, execution of research projects, and pooling of resources where applicable.
Key components of the framework include:
Collaborative Governance
Establishing a research governance structure that encourages collective ownership and shared benefits.
Role Definition
Clearly outlining the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders involved in tourism research.
Research Prioritization
Developing mechanisms to decide on research priorities collaboratively.
Resource Pooling
Encouraging partnerships to maximize resource utilization and effectiveness.
Guidance for Researchers
Acting as a manual for researchers to navigate bureaucratic processes and advance their research endeavors efficiently.
Operational Resilience
Embedding resilience in the framework to ensure stakeholders can adapt and respond to changing conditions.
The PTRCF aims to create a green and blue Pacific, characterized by common prosperity for all Pacific Islands, through timely and relevant research. This framework guides cross-sectoral partnerships and collaboration, supporting the development of a robust and resilient tourism sector. It emphasizes moving beyond engagement towards genuine action, ensuring that tourism recovery strategies are aligned with a clear framework for effective decision-making.
By implementing the PTRCF, SPTO and its partners are committed to fostering a sustainable and prosperous future for Pacific tourism. The framework enables transformative collaboration, strengthened regional cooperation, and global partnerships, all of which contribute to achieving a resilient and thriving tourism sector in the Pacific.
Key Objectives
The primary goals of the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Indicators Framework (PSTIF) are to:
Develop Core Indicators
Establish a set of key indicators to measure the sustainability of tourism activities.
Enhance Statistical Infrastructure
Strengthen the capacity for tourism-related data collection and analysis in the South Pacific.
Promote Sustainable Tourism
Foster a sustainable approach to tourism that benefits local communities and preserves natural resources.
Facilitate Data-Driven Decision Making
Provide high-quality, accessible data to inform policy and decision-making processes.
Encourage Stakeholder Collaboration
Promote collaboration among SPTO member countries, government agencies, and the private sector.