Pacific Tourism Organisation Launches Gender And Inclusive Tourism Action Plan (GITAP) & Toolkit 2026–2030

The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) launched the Pacific Gender and Inclusive Tourism Action Plan (GITAP) & Toolkit 2026–2030 at the Development Partners Dialogue in Honiara, Solomon Islands. This landmark initiative advances equity, resilience, and inclusion across Pacific tourism, aligning with the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Policy Framework 2030 — particularly Goal 2: Thriving and Inclusive Communities and Goal 4: Healthy Islands and Oceans — ensuring tourism uplifts communities while safeguarding our islands and oceans.

The Toolkit equips National Tourism Organisations (NTOs) with practical resources, data systems, policy templates, and networks to embed gender equality and inclusion into tourism strategies, empower women and underrepresented groups, and drive evidence-based, sustainable decisions.

SPTO acknowledged the strong partnership with the ADB-Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI), whose technical expertise has been central to building the evidence base through gender audits and the regional synthesis report. The GITAP responds directly to those findings through four priority focus areas: Data, Monitoring and Advocacy; Inclusive Tourism Policy and Planning; Women’s Economic Empowerment and Private Sector Engagement; Institutional Commitments, including Human Resources and Organisational Culture.

The launch is further strengthened by the development of the first five resources under the Gender and Inclusive Tourism Toolkit, including a Gender Audit Workbook, Inclusion Data Template, Action Plan Template, User Guide, and Inclusive Employer Checklist, providing practical tools for tourism organisations to implement change.

Speaking at the launch, Chair of the SPTO Sustainable Tourism Board Sub-Committee and Chief Executive of Cook Islands Tourism, Karla Eggelton, said the initiative represents a milestone in embedding inclusion and equity into tourism development across the Pacific. “This plan is a milestone for our region, embedding inclusivity and equity into policies and programmes across Pacific tourism. We extend our sincere thanks to the Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI) for their funding and technical support throughout the development of the GITAP and Toolkit,” Eggelton said.

She highlighted that the Action Plan transforms regional research and consultation into a practical roadmap for action. “It translates the findings of the Pacific Regional Gender Audit

into a practical roadmap, aligned with the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Policy Framework and our shared vision for resilient, prosperous, and inclusive tourism by 2030,” she said.

For industry stakeholders, the significance of the GITAP extends beyond social policy. The framework positions inclusion as a strategic driver of tourism competitiveness, workforce development, business growth, and community resilience. It aligns with the SPTO Strategic Plan 2025–2029, the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Policy Framework, and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, ensuring that inclusion becomes a core component of tourism planning and investment across the region