Pacific Tourism Organisation encourages in-house Sustainable Champions

Having pivoted to revitalize its efforts towards sustainable tourism recovery and development in the region the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) is also committed to encouraging sustainable practices within the organisation through the SPTO Corporate Sustainability Programme.

Through the programme a monitoring committee has been established with staff frequently updated on their performance in the following areas:

• Energy conservation
• Separation of waste (plastic, paper and food waste)
• Care for plants assigned to each staff member
• Monitoring of printing
• Use of single-use take away containers, cups etc

In implementing and monitoring the above, SPTO recognizes the importance of reducing waste and fostering environmentally responsible behaviour. For the first six months of the year (January-June), Manager Executive and Special Projects Tahitia Waqavonovono and Assistant Programme Analyst Josese Ragigia were recognized as the best performing staff in the programme.

In acknowledging the importance of having a Corporate Sustainability Programme in the workplace, SPTO CEO Christopher Cocker mentioned that SPTO should be seen to be walking the talk as it promotes and encourages sustainable tourism practices in the Pacific.

“These initiatives keep our staff on their toes in terms of ensuring that we practice what we preach in terms of sustainability. Through this initiative we are all learning more about how simple practices make a difference and support larger sustainability and waste management programs for the benefit of our shared Blue Pacific”, he said.

The initiative is facilitated and monitored by the Division of Sustainable Tourism as part of its annual sustainability advocacy campaign and as such, its staff are not eligible for the awards.   An overall Sustainability Champion award for 2022 will be presented at the end of the year.