Youth Voices Rising in Vava’u

From the wide expanse of the Pacific, where islands are bound together by the ocean’s currents and the shared resilience of their peoples, a new generation rises to shape the future of tourism. In 2025, the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Leadership Summit (PSTLS) set the stage for this transformation, and within it, the Pacific Youth Forum on Sustainable Tourism (PYFST) grew into a powerful symbol of youthful energy, vision, and leadership.

The gathering brought together young leaders from across the Pacific moana, alongside participants from the Pacific Youth Council, the Pacific GIRL programmes under SPC, and local youth from Vava’u. They were not merely attendees—they were architects of change, convened by the Regional Working Group (RWG), a team of passionate Pacific youth selected through an Expressions of Interest process led by the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO). Together, they carried the weight of their communities’ hopes and the responsibility of shaping a sustainable future.

Among them, one voice recalls arriving in Vava’u, Tonga, unsure of the journey ahead. Over several days, that uncertainty gave way to empowerment. The forum was alive with energy—interactive sessions, panel discussions, and group activities tackling climate change, cultural preservation, and youth entrepreneurship. The “Empowering Tomorrow” retreat invited participants to imagine tourism as a force for collective wellbeing, while the “Island Café” sessions sparked projects and partnerships rooted in youth innovation.

The theme, “Midway to 2030: Realigning, Reaffirming and Recommitting to Sustainable Tourism,” was more than a slogan—it was a challenge. It called participants to think critically, to act boldly, and to build a roadmap: the Pacific Youth in Tourism Action Plan (PYTAP 2025–2030). This plan became the living testament of their vision, a document of commitment and courage.

Voices from across the Pacific echoed shared values: Filimone Mate from Fiji summed up his experience in three words: collaboration, respect, tamata—reminding us that sustainability means reviving what already exists and integrating it into future policies. Brittany Papera from the Cook Islands spoke of love, mana, and water: “Our spirit and resilience shine through, and we’re all connected by the oceans—it runs through our veins.” Shiloh Pasisi from Niue described her experience with stewardship, vaka, and family: “We’re building one vaka together to paddle into the future, and we’ve become a family.”

These reflections echoed the truth: Pacific youth are not waiting to lead. They are already leading—building businesses, protecting the environment, and safeguarding cultural traditions. Their outcomes were shared with tourism leaders during PSTLS and presented to the SPTO Council of Ministers, gaining formal endorsement. Policies were advocated, partnerships envisioned, and respect demanded.

And when the forum ended, participants carried more than memories. They carried deep connections, renewed purpose, and the certainty that the future of Pacific tourism is brighter.

The successful delivery of the PYFST was enabled by the funding support of PACER Plus, which convened the Regional Working Group to participate in this regional initiative. In addition, the CROP collaboration between SPTO and SPC was instrumental in ensuring the effective delivery of the Youth Forum.

The PFYST Outcomes can be accessed here.

ENDS.