Pacific Tourism Organisation Partners with Samoa Tourism Authority to Advance Sustainable Tourism with STEP Project Implementation

The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), in collaboration with SWITCH-Asia and the Samoa Tourism Authority (STA), conducted week-long consultations in Samoa from February 3rd to 6th as part of the Sustainable Tourism Enhancement in the Pacific (STEP) Project.

Samoa is one of the four pilot countries of the STEP Project—alongside Fiji, Vanuatu, and Kiribati. The STEP Project aims to align Samoa’s national tourism policies and accommodation standards with the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Standard. Also, a key focus of the project is integrating Circular Economy principles and Sustainable Consumption & Production (SCP) policies into Samoa’s tourism framework. This approach enhances resource efficiency, strengthens the business-enabling environment, and supports both economic growth and environmental sustainability.

This initiative brought together government agencies, tourism stakeholders, and business leaders to drive discussions on advancing sustainable tourism in Samoa.

The week-long consultations generated valuable feedback and sparked meaningful discussions on the progress of Samoa’s national standards, their alignment with circular economy principles, and opportunities to further strengthen them beyond their current state.With strong collaboration between regional partners and national stakeholders, the STEP Project is paving the way for a more responsible and prosperous tourism industry in the Pacific.