The Pacific Tourism Organisation Commends SPREP Collaboration in Advancing Sustainable Tourism and Environmental Stewardship

The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) has reaffirmed its commitment to regional collaboration, commending the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) as a fellow CROP agency and strategic partner in advancing sustainable and responsible tourism across the Pacific.

Speaking at the 32nd SPREP Meeting in Apia, SPTO Chief Executive Officer Christopher Cocker underscored the importance of inter-agency cooperation in achieving Goal 4 of the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Policy Framework: “Protecting our ecosystems through accelerated climate action and resilience building.”

Mr Cocker acknowledged the vital role of donor-supported SPREP projects in integrating environmental sustainability into Pacific tourism development, noting that these partnerships are instrumental in advancing both resilience and responsible industry practices.

With funding support from the European Union and the Multilateral Environmental Agreements programmes, SPREP’s Environmental Monitoring and Governance team has assisted in developing Environmental Impact Assessments for Coastal Tourism Development, as well as Practical Guidelines for Environmental Audits of Tourist Accommodations. These tools are essential for guiding the responsible growth of tourism at the industry level.

In waste management, SPTO highlighted the Australian Government’s support through the Pacific Ocean Litter Project, which has enabled the creation of a Standards and Certification Programme and Toolkit to phase out single-use plastics in Pacific tourism—a milestone step in safeguarding the health of Pacific islands and oceans.

Biodiversity protection was also recognised as a priority area, with SPTO acknowledging the European Union’s support through the Pacific Bioscapes Program. Mr Cocker shared that this collaboration facilitated the development of Responsible Marine Wildlife Viewing Guidelines, ensuring visitor experiences remain sustainable and respectful while safeguarding the region’s unique marine ecosystems.

Finally, the Pacific Climate Change Centre and the Climate Science and Information teams should including tourism in regional climate programmes and consultations. Mr Cocker shared that their contributions—particularly through the Pacific Islands Meteorological Council—have laid a strong foundation for integrating tourism into broader climate resilience and adaptation strategies.

“SPTO expresses its deep appreciation for SPREP’s leadership and reaffirms its commitment to future collaboration with SPREP teams and regional partners to advance environmental sustainability across the tourism sector,” Mr Cocker said.