Pacific Tourism Organisation Hosts High-Level Dialogue with Development Partners: Strengthening Partnerships for Responsible Tourism

Suva, Fiji – In a significant step toward bolstering sustainable tourism and enhancing regional collaboration, the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) hosted a high-level dialogue with key development partners under the theme “Enhanced Partnerships for Responsible Tourism Outcomes” in collaboration with ADBs Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI) and supported by the Australian and New Zealand governments With the launch of SPTO’s new Strategic Plan 2025-2029, the session brought together leaders from across the Pacific to align priorities, share insights on current and future projects, and explore strategies to strengthen partnerships.

SPTO’s Strategic Plan is built around six Strategic Focus Areas (SFAs) that target key aspects of sustainable tourism: destination management, marketing support, research and insights, partner coordination, capacity building, and tourism-aviation connectivity. These areas represent SPTO’s commitment to driving transparent, data-driven, and community-centered growth in tourism that respects both people and place.

The panel discussion served as a unique opportunity for SPTO and its development partners to review SPTO’s Strategic Plan and identify points of synergy. Tourism remains a powerful driver of economic growth in the Pacific, supporting local employment, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development. SPTO’s new strategy seeks to amplify these impacts through collaboration with regional and international partners, reinforcing tourism as a key sector for inclusive and sustainable economic development in the Pacific.

SPTO Chief Executive Officer Christopher Cocker, emphasized the vital role that development partnerships play in achieving responsible tourism outcomes: “Tourism is more than a source of revenue for the Pacific—it is a gateway to sustainable growth, cultural preservation, and environmental resilience. SPTO’s Strategic Plan is designed to facilitate effective, collaborative partnerships that help us address key issues facing our communities. Today’s dialogue is a powerful step in harnessing our shared resources and expertise for lasting change in Pacific tourism.”

The session highlighted SPTO’s role as a hub for development partners, supporting tourism-based initiatives across the Pacific while driving alignment with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. Through the new Strategic Plan, SPTO aims to foster partnerships that are structured, impactful, and mutually beneficial.

ADBs Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative Tourism Analyst Matthew Capper noted the importance of aligning development assistance: “The Pacific’s tourism sector is increasingly being recognised as an important driver of development and development outcomes. However, tourism as a sector is complex, cross-cutting and often private sector-led. As such, it is important that donors and partners approach the sector with a coordinated, collaborative long-term vision. SPTO’s new Strategic Plan highlights this and offers an opportunity to align our efforts and amplify our collective impact in a way that prioritizes responsible tourism.”

The high-level dialogue concluded with a renewed commitment to partnership, with development partners expressing enthusiasm for working closely with SPTO to achieve the goals of the Strategic Plan 2025-2029. Going forward, SPTO will continue to serve as a central hub for these partnerships, fostering an ecosystem where regional cooperation and shared resources deliver meaningful results in sustainable tourism.

With this dialogue, SPTO reaffirms its role as a leader in shaping the future of responsible tourism in the Pacific. Through collaboration, coordination, and an unyielding commitment to sustainability, SPTO and its partners are working to create a tourism sector that not only thrives but also leaves a positive legacy for generations to come.