Pacific Leaders continue to commit to tourism transformation

“As a Small Island State, Tokelau is proud to add our voice to this call for change. We are a unique and diverse region but we must stand united in our commitment to doing better for the future of our Blue Pacific”.

These were the sentiments shared by Hon. Faafetai Taumanu, Tokelau’s Minister of Economic Development, Natural Resources and Environment, when he signed SPTO’s Pacific Leaders Statement of Commitment earlier this week.

The Hon. Minister also noted that Tokelau, like much of the Pacific’s smaller destinations, has unique and unspoilt offerings that are waiting to be discovered by travellers who wish to venture off the beaten track.

Tokelau is the seventh SPTO member to sign the Commitment, joining the Federated States of Micronesia, New Caledonia, Samoa, Niue, Vanuatu and Timor Leste. The Statement of Commitment is inspired by various tourism stakeholders including Pacific nations, industry, Civil Society, Development Partners, and Global Agencies, all of whom are committed to advancing sustainable tourism across the region by 2030.

It holds Pacific leaders accountable to elevating sustainable tourism as a regional priority for environmental, socio-cultural, and economic development. Moreover, it also aims to make Pacific tourism a force for good through the adoption and implementation of the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Policy Framework.

The Statement of Commitment recognises that in order for tourism to be resilient, prosperous, and inclusive, we need to ensure that:

• We are united as a region and work together to advance sustainable tourism through partnerships and collaboration
• We prioritise green investments to support tourism growth and work with our partners to mobilise resources
• We offer our visitors high quality, authentic, accessible and sustainable experiences that reflect our own country’s uniqueness
• We create enabling legislation and policies for tourism businesses to adopt sustainable tourism practices
• Our communities are empowered by tourism and benefit from it. We protect the vulnerable and provide opportunities for young people and women
• Together we build resilience to climate change and transition to a low emission, resource efficient sector.

In acknowledging Tokelau’s support SPTO CEO, Christopher Cocker, noted the importance of the Commitment in relation to tourism transformation for the benefit of future generations.

“Tourism has great potential to positively contribute to a better Pacific for generations to come. Through the Statement of Commitment we have an opportunity to secure high- level support for making our industry more resilient, prosperous and inclusive”, he said.

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“Hemoana  to  nau  ka  tau,  e  tau  kae  nofo  atu  au, e  fehulufaki  te  tiale  matala,  to  nau  e tuu  ma  tauhala,  e  fepunufaki   he  tiale matala,  to  nau  e  tuu  ma  tauhala”

“Hemoana I’ll pick your natural beauty, while I sit, I’ll wear your full bloomed flower, I compare to beauty of the untouched, your fragrance is the natural beauty of the undiscovered”