Pacific Tourism Organisation to Participate in High-Level Indo-Pacific Investment Summit

The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) recently participated in The Pacific Agenda: Investment, Security, and Shared Prosperity Summit, to be held in Honolulu from 22–24 February 2026, alongside Pacific regional leaders and the private sector from the US and Pacific. The invitation was extended by Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau of the US State Department, in partnership with the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and the East-West Centre.

SPTO’s participation highlights the growing recognition of tourism as a strategic economic sector within the broader investment, security, and development agenda for the Pacific. Beyond its role as a driver of foreign exchange and employment, tourism contributes directly to resilience, connectivity, and regional stability. Through direct engagement with private investors, development partners, and financing institutions, SPTO will advocate on the importance of tourism to the Pacific, seek potential funding opportunities for SPTO from the US government, enhance SPTO’s network and update our Pacific Tourism government officials attending SPTO 2026 activities.

SPTO Chief Executive Officer Christopher Cocker said the Summit provides an important platform to elevate tourism within US- Pacific investment discussions while reinforcing SPTO’s role as the coordinating body for Pacific tourism.

“SPTO’s participation strengthens our strategic visibility and reinforces our role as a credible partner in shaping sustainable, investment-ready tourism ecosystems aligned with national and regional priorities,” Cocker said.

A key focus of SPTO’s engagement will be facilitating public–private collaboration. Through sector-specific roundtables and curated deal rooms, SPTO will help connect tourism stakeholders with investors and project developers, supporting due diligence processes and accelerating pathways toward financing.

“This Summit is a catalyst for action—where ideas meet capital and partnerships translate into real projects. It allows us to showcase the Pacific’s unique value proposition while advancing tangible outcomes for tourism development,” he added.

The Summit serves as a strategic investment platform designed to catalyse commercially viable private-sector investment aligned with regional economic and security priorities. It brings together Pacific Heads of Government, senior U.S. officials, development finance institutions, and major private investors to identify bankable projects, reduce investment barriers, and accelerate outcomes. Priority sectors include infrastructure, energy security, the digital economy, tourism, food security, health systems, and financial services.

Mr Cocker noted that SPTO’s participation is driven by a clear objective: to ensure tourism is positioned as a core pillar of the Pacific’s long-term prosperity.

“Tourism is an unsung hero and more than leisure—it is a lifeline for Pacific economies, a driver of resilience, and a bridge to shared prosperity. Our presence at this Summit ensures tourism is firmly embedded within regional investment priorities, particularly from the US market. SPTO is here to listen, consult and be part of the Pacific solution,” he said.

Strengthening strategic partnerships is central to SPTO’s engagement. By working with U.S. counterparts and regional partners, including Australia, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, and France, SPTO aims to align tourism development with broader Indo-Pacific economic and security strategies.

“Partnerships are the foundation of Pacific resilience. Investment in connectivity and sustainable tourism infrastructure is an investment in the future of the Pacific,” Cocker emphasised.

SPTO would like to thank the organisers, US State Department, East West Center and the US Indo-Pacific Command. A special thank you to Dr Aaron Sala, Pacific Island Development Programme and Fiji Airways for the opportunity to attend this auspicious event.