Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) And UNDP Host Learning Exchange Workshop

Udite Taukei and the Bulikula Women’s Community Plastics Group from Galoa village, continue to modify their community waste by upcycling plastic waste into beautiful works of art. The women’s group is part of the Pacific Tourism Organisation’s (SPTO) Pacific Tourism Waste Action Initiative (PTWAI) – Pacific Tourism Organisation, which focuses on addressing key waste management challenges in Pacific communities. .

Ms Taukei and her group were part of a learning exchange workshop on 30^th August,  organized by United Nations Development Programme Accelerator Lab (UNDP) and supported by SPTO. The workshop provided an opportunity for the women to demonstrate their skills to tourism students from the University of the South Pacific (USP) and in return, the students shared their knowledge in the areas of photography, marketing and social media management.

“Sharing information is helpful for our women’s group. We got to share our craft work with these students and showed them how they can turn plastic waste into art to achieve positive outcomes. We want to try to obtain as much information as possible from the students so that we can sell our products online,” Ms. Taukei said.

USP Post Graduate student Adi Elenoa Draunidalo commended the learning exchange workshop organized by UNDP and SPTO, adding that these initiatives open doors for fostering innovation and growth.

“We are uncovering a wealth of new information and stimulating innovation that may have otherwise been hidden. Knowledge might be power, but it’s much more powerful when it’s shared. This learning goes both ways. We are all learning ways to help the environment and reduce plastic pollution which has become a major problem for us here in the Pacific. When we manage knowledge properly and give people a platform to share and access it, we’re opening the door to a whole host of benefits,” Ms Draunidalo said.

The PTWAI initiative explores innovative and inclusive approaches from the tourism sector as its contribution to reducing the waste footprint of tourism on the environment and protecting our lands and oceans from waste pollution for the benefit of our people, visitors and generations to come. Importantly, the initiative also contributes to the Implementation of the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Policy Framework, through the following goals:

Goal 1 – Prosperous Economies

• Tourism Supports Prosperous and Resilient Economies

Goal 2 – Thriving and Inclusive Communities

• Tourism Supports the empowerment and well-being of our communities

Goal 3 – Visible and Valued Cultures

• Tourism amplifies and promotes our culture and heritage

Goal 4 – Healthy Islands and Oceans

• Tourism accelerates climate action, protects our ecosystems and supports resilience

In acknowledging the importance of this information exchange workshop, SPTO CEO Christopher Cocker mentioned that the PTWAI  champions innovative and inclusive approaches from the tourism sector as its contribution to reducing the waste footprint of tourism on the environment.

“Tourism is multi-sectoral and has great potential to include and benefit local communities. Through PTWAI, SPTO is not only promoting greener and more responsible tourism but we are also advocating for inclusive, responsive and circular approaches to waste management in the tourism sector”.

“This kind of collaboration is a perfect example of inclusivity and diversity, bringing together local women’s groups and the future leaders of Pacific tourism. SPTO is proud to be a part of this knowledge exchange, from which so many opportunities can grow. We are thankful for the ongoing support from UNDP and acknowledge the enthusiasm of the participants from Galoa Village and USP”, said Mr Cocker.