Regional Working Group For Sustainable Tourism, Research and Statistics Holds Its First Meeting

The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) this week convened the first meeting of its Regional Working Group (RWG) for Sustainable Tourism, Research and Statistics. Comprising of representatives from SPTO member countries, the private sector, civil society organisations, regional organisations and development partners, the RWG will guide the work being undertaken to develop the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Policy Framework (PSTPF) and the Pacific Tourism Statistics Strategy (PTSS).

As the appointed consultants recruited to develop the PSTPF, TRC Tourism provided an update on progress made to date and outlined the stakeholder consultation process which will run throughout February.

In opening the meeting on Tuesday 2nd February, RWG Chair, Mr. Faamatuainu Suifua (CEO, Samoa Tourism Authority), acknowledged the importance of the work ahead and emphasized the need for solidarity as the sector confronts the biggest socio-economic crisis of all time.

“It is high time that we in the Pacific come together, share knowledge and resources and work with donor and development partners to ensure sustainable tourism development in our region”, he said, “

Contractual arrangements for the consultants for the PTSS are being finalized through a partnership between SPTO, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and PARIS 21 and will be announced in due course. . The PSTPF is jointly funded by New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

For more details on the preliminary report developed by TRC Tourism, please email sustainable@spto.org

*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