Pacific Tourism Organisation encourages in-house Sustainable Champions

As an advocate for sustainable tourism development in the region, the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) has continued to walk the talk through its Corporate Sustainability Programme, which integrates environmentally responsible practices into the day to day functions of the organisation.

Guided by a Corporate Sustainability Policy, the programme has the overarching goals of reducing SPTO’s environmental footprint and championing sustainability through action. Spearheaded by the Division of Sustainable Tourism and a Green Committee the programme has organized key events throughout 2022 including planting of native trees and mangroves and rubbish collection along the Suva foreshore. Additionally, waste management, energy efficiency and participation in corporate sustainability activities have been monitored and reported on regularly.

Based on the above the organisation has recognized in-house sustainability champions as a means of encouraging participation and staff ownership of the programme. For the period January – June the Executive and Special Projects Manager, Tahitia Kamea, recorded the highest score while Research Officer, Josese Ragigia, was recently awarded the overall SPTO Sustainability Champion for 2022.

In acknowledging the importance of the Corporate Sustainability Programme in the workplace, SPTO CEO Christopher Cocker mentioned that SPTO needs to play a leadership role in encouraging sustainable tourism practices in the Pacific, beginning in the workplace.

“These initiatives keep us informed and accountable, ensuring that we practice what we preach. Sustainable development isn’t an area of strength across the whole organisation but through this programme and the leadership of our Division of Sustainable Tourism, we are working towards organisation –wide commitment to understanding and supporting sustainably focussed initiatives”, he said.