Pacific Tourism Organisation’s Plastics Repurposing Initiative In Kiribati Wins International Acclaim

The Pacific Tourism Organisation’s (SPTO) plastic repurposing programme has been internationally recognized by the World Creative Tourism Network, which has awarded the Tourism Authority of Kiribati with the Best Strategy in the Creative Tourism Development category of the 2020 Creative Tourism Awards.

The initiative, which was launched in 2019 alongside the My Fiji Shark project, was introduced in Kiribati by SPTO in December 2020, via a series of pre-recorded instructional videos and live interactive sessions.

In acknowledging the significance of the award, SPTO CEO Christopher Cocker noted the severity of plastic pollution in the Pacific. 

“I congratulate Kiribati for this achievement which serves as inspiration for all our Pacific Island countries in committing to reducing the increasing environmental impacts from plastic pollution”.

“I’d also like to acknowledge SPTO Creative Consultant, Warwick Marlow, for his passion and commitment to this initiative which has been an important reminder that the local creative industry has a role to play in supporting destinations and communities manage plastic pollution”, he said.

The initiative is part of a joint CROP programme on capacity building for small island states, between the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and SPTO and plans are already underway for similar implementation in the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru and Timor Leste.

*Media queries may be directed to twaqavonovono@spto.org and requests for information on the above-mentioned initiatives may be directed to cgale@spto.org