Pacific Tourism Stakeholders Chart a Path for Inclusive and Sustainable Tourism

The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), through its Division of Sustainable Tourism, hosted a one-day workshop on May 7th, held at the Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort and Spa in Nadi, focused on advancing gender equity, transformative models of tourism for the region and the mid-Term Review of the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Policy Framework (PSTPF).

Professor Christopher Fleming of the Griffith Institute for Tourism introduced The Better Guide, a visionary framework urging tourism stakeholders to reimagine the sector as regenerative and conscious. Based on research in Fiji and the Cook Islands, the model outlines six principles—holistic systems thinking, net positive impact, Indigenous knowledge, empowerment, localization, and ethical collaboration—guided by community priorities: cultural integrity, harmony with nature, and resilient livelihoods.

This was followed by the Gender Audit Regional Synthesis Report undertaken across ten SPTO member organisations led by the Asian Development Bank’s Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI). The audit assessed how gender is currently mainstreamed within tourism policy and programming and identified opportunities for deeper integration. Participants engaged in interactive sessions to identify strategic actions aligned with five priority areas previously outlined during the Pacific Women in Tourism Talanoa (November 2024): policy development, leadership commitments, institutional integration, clear targets, and gender-sensitive data and measurement.

The afternoon session centred on the midterm review of the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Policy Framework (PSTPF), identifying key priorities for 2025–2030 and aligning national priorities and transformative actions needed to accelerate responsible tourism goals across the region. With the year 2030 on the horizon, the review’s focus is not just on progress made, but on strategic recalibration to redefine what truly matters for Pacific tourism.

SPTO Board Chair and Vanuatu Tourism Office CEO Adela Issachar-Aru commended the workshop for its comprehensive approach and its relevance to the region’s current tourism challenges. She acknowledged the progress made through the gender audit process, particularly in Vanuatu, while emphasising the continued need for leadership commitment and action.

She also highlighted the importance of the regional dialogue, noting that it reaffirmed the direction taken by National Tourism Organisations in advancing sustainable tourism policies, while also providing a valuable regional lens to assess progress.

“The workshop exceeded my expectations. The gender audit findings show the progress we’ve made, but also where we must remain committed. It’s not enough to simply assess—we need our leaders, tourism agencies, and partners to truly embrace the roles both women and men play in this sector. SPTO’s efforts over the past few years have laid a strong foundation, and as a region, we are now moving together to address these priorities for a better, more inclusive tourism future,” she said.

Echoing this, Samoa Tourism Authority’s Acting CEO, Kitiona Pongi, noted: “Some of the audit findings were eye-opening, especially in areas we thought were already standard. For example, Samoa’s 12-week maternity leave policy isn’t common across the region, and that’s a concern. I am also impressed by the depth of work being done by SPTO’s DST team. What stood out to me is that despite our differences in size and context, the Pacific shares a common goal: sustainable tourism. But achieving it will take serious commitment and investment. It’s not going to be easy, but today reaffirmed that we’re all on the same path—and that’s a powerful thing.”

Viliami Takau, CEO of the Tonga Ministry of Tourism, linked the discussion to ongoing national planning efforts: “For me, the update on the PSTPF session stood out. It aligns with the work we’re doing right now. Just over a month ago, we held our National Tourism Forum in Tonga, and a lot of the discussions centered on incorporating sustainable initiatives into our new five-year plan.”

SPTO CEO Christopher Cocker emphasized that the mid-term review represents more than just a procedural checkpoint—it is a vital opportunity to reflect, realign, and recommit to the region’s shared vision for tourism. He noted that while the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Policy Framework provides the structural foundation, it is the collective voice, leadership, and determination of stakeholders that will elevate responsible tourism to the next level.

“Together, we can redefine tourism in the Pacific—not just as an economic driver, but as a force for cultural resilience, environmental protection, and social empowerment,” shared Cocker.