SPTO Board of Directors Convenes in Vava’u, Tonga

Key Resolutions Passed to Advance Regional Tourism Governance and Strategic Planning

The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) Board of Directors convened its annual meeting on Monday, 20 October 2025, at Puataukanave Hotel, Vava’u, Tonga. Government representatives from 17 member countries participated in the meeting, including American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, People’s Republic of China, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Wallis & Futuna.

The Directors reviewed strategic, financial, and operational matters critical to SPTO’s mandate. A series of key resolutions were passed to strengthen governance, advance regional strategies, and support sustainable tourism development across the Pacific.

On the Regional Architecture Review (RRA), the Board endorsed the formation of Champion Member Countries’ Ministerial and Board Steering Committees to guide SPTO’s engagement. Committee membership was confirmed for Fiji, the Cook Islands, Niue, New Caledonia, Samoa, Vanuatu, and French Polynesia. Directors also agreed to coordinate with their respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs on the RRA.

In terms of governance reform, the Board approved the Draft Report on Phase 2 of the SPTO Governance Structure Review for submission to the Council of Tourism Ministers. Two reform options were endorsed for Ministerial consideration, with Directors tasked to brief national Leaders ahead of the Council meeting.

The Board adopted several strategic and operational documents, including the SPTO Board Charter, Finance Strategy 2026–2030, Regional Marketing Strategy Framework 2026–2030, Pacific Tourism Yachting Strategy Framework 2026–2030, and the submission of the Pacific Tourism and Aviation Strategy 2026–2030 for Council of Tourism Ministers’ endorsement. Directors also approved the Pacific Tourism Benchmarking Methodology, the STEP Regional Roadmap under the Sustainable Tourism Enhancement Project, and the PTDI Transition Plan for phased country ownership of tourism data surveys. Continued donor support for PTDI was strongly encouraged.

On financial and work planning, the Board noted the Financial Report for January–September 2025, confirming that donor-funded projects are tracking as forecasted. The 2026 Annual Work Plan, Budget, and Procurement Plan were formally approved.

Sectoral updates included progress on the SPTO Cruise Summit 2025 and South Pacific Tourism Exchange (SPTE) 2026. Directors expressed appreciation to the Government of Fiji for its financial support for SPTE 2026 and encouraged member countries to actively promote SPTE in source markets. The Board also reviewed updates on the Pacific Tourism Digital Transformation Project, which continues to receive strong support from its Steering Committee.

Finally, the Board approved the Cook Islands’ membership in the Marketing Sub-Committee and endorsed regular meetings of the Tourism and Aviation Steering Committee to oversee implementation of the Pacific Tourism and Aviation Strategy.

The meeting reaffirmed SPTO’s commitment to regional leadership, strategic alignment, and inclusive governance in advancing sustainable tourism across the Pacific.

SPTO extends its appreciation to partners PACER Plus for supporting SPTO in hosting the Board, Council of Tourism Ministers, the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Leadership Summit and the Cruise Summit and the Government and people of Tonga.