Pacific Tourism Organisation Elevates Pacific Voice at Asia-Pacific Francophone Youth Forum in Tahiti

The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) was invited to speak at the Asia-Pacific Francophone Youth Forum, held in Tahiti from 12–15 November. Co-hosted by Vietnamese youth organisations and the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), the forum served as a key regional platform for strengthening cooperation among young people across the Francophone community, with a focus on sustainability in tourism, youth employment, creativity, innovation, and digital transformation.

SPTO Chief Executive Officer, Christopher Cocker, delivered remarks during the forum, reinforcing regional engagement and elevating the Pacific voice within Francophone spaces. He noted that SPTO’s participation reflects a strategic commitment to deepening cooperation with Francophone partners and ensuring that the Pacific tourism sector is represented in youth-focused international dialogues. Through direct engagement with Francophone institutions, youth networks, and development partners, SPTO aims to strengthen visibility for Pacific priorities and build stronger collaborative pathways with countries and territories throughout the Francophone world.

In his address, Mr Cocker highlighted Pacific perspectives on sustainable tourism, drawing on outcomes from the Vava’u Youth Summit and the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Policy Framework (PSTPF). He underscored the region’s leadership in community-based tourism, cultural preservation, and climate resilience—sharing youth-led innovations and success stories that demonstrate how Pacific communities are shaping a more sustainable tourism future.

“SPTO would like to acknowledge and thank the Government and people of French Polynesia for their warm hospitality, and Tahiti Tourisme and Fiji for providing support for SPTO’s participation at the event. The Asia-Pacific Francophone Youth Forum is a unique opportunity to amplify Pacific perspectives on sustainable tourism and youth empowerment. By engaging with Francophone partners, SPTO can strengthen collaboration, avoid duplication and share lessons from our region, and build bridges that support innovation and resilience,” he said.

During the mission, Mr. Cocker also met with H.E. Moetai Brotherson to personally thank HE for his support at the PIFS Leaders meeting in Honiara, provided an update on the outcomes of the SPTO meetings in Vava’u and discussed ongoing collaboration. The same agenda items were also discussed by Mr Cocker with Senior Management at Tahiti Tourisme and during his visit to Moorea to meet with the Tahiti private sector Board member, Ms Caroline Raimbault, My Tahiti Escapes. He further provided a strategic update on the Regional Resource Assessment (RRA), ensuring all stakeholders were briefed on project progress, upcoming milestones, and opportunities for alignment and coordination.