Pacific Tourism Sector Launches Environmental Sustainability Initiatives to Safeguard Ecosystems and Cultural Heritage

Suva, Fiji – November 2024 – At the 33rd Council of Tourism Ministers Meeting, the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), in partnership with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), the European Union, and the Australian Government, unveiled three pioneering Environmental Sustainability Projects. Developed through the collective efforts of SPTO and its member countries—these initiatives aim to guide the Pacific tourism sector toward practices that prioritize environmental preservation and responsible growth.

SPREP Director, Environmental Monitoring and Governance Jope Davetanivalu mentioned that the guidelines were designed to provide technical guidance, benchmarks, and actionable steps, and equip destinations and businesses with the tools needed to protect the Pacific’s unique ecosystems while respecting cultural values.

“These tools are not just documents but are strategic guidelines to assist in implementing the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Policy Framework (PSTPF) and move closer to the vision set out in our 2050 strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. Looking ahead, these tools will help our member countries build tourism sectors that are both profitable and sustainable to benefit our people while protecting our environment for future generations,” Davetanivalu shared.

The Three Key Initiatives launched:

Responsible Marine Wildlife Viewing Guidelines
These guidelines aim to safeguard marine wildlife—including whales, dolphins, dugongs, sharks, rays, turtles, and seabirds—by establishing responsible practices for tourism activities. The guidelines set ethical standards for wildlife encounters, fostering tourism experiences that are not only memorable but also sustain delicate marine ecosystems and attract eco-conscious visitors. The guidelines have been developed under the Pacific BioScapes Programme a European Union (EU) funded action, managed and implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme SPREP,

Standards to Phase Out Single-Use Plastics (SUPs)
Plastic pollution poses one of the most pressing environmental threats to the Pacific’s pristine landscapes and marine habitats. Developed with support from the Australian Government-funded Pacific Ocean Litter Project (POLP) being implemented by SPREP, the standards provide guidance for the tourism sector to reduce and replace single-use plastics, with sustainable alternatives and substitutes, in support of collective actions for cleaner Pacific coastal environments.

Environmental Auditing Guidelines for Tourism Accommodations
Hotels and resorts are central to the tourism experience but can leave a significant environmental footprint. These auditing guidelines, funded by the EU under the ACP MEAs 3 Programme, provide accommodations of all sizes with the resources to evaluate and improve their environmental practices, covering areas such as energy and water usage, waste management, and conservation. This initiative sets a benchmark for sustainable operations across Pacific accommodations, aligning business practices with environmental stewardship.

SPTO Sustainable Tourism Sub-Committee Chair Brad Kirner shared that developing these guidelines involved two years of extensive consultation with Pacific Island nations, ensuring the resources reflect the region’s unique environmental and cultural landscape.

“On behalf of SPTO, the Sustainable Tourism Sub-Committee, and the wider SPTO Membership, we express our gratitude to the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme for their commitment to advancing tourism’s role in our collective environmental goals. We also extend our sincere thanks to our valued donor partners, the Australian Government, and the European Union, for their vital funding support, which has been instrumental in achieving these milestones,” He shared.

“We now look to our donors and partners to support the next phase of this journey—implementing these tools through education, training, and collaboration with national stakeholders. We have laid a strong foundation for sustainable tourism that benefits both people and the planet.”