Tonga Advances Efforts on Sustainable Tourism and Plastic Free Future

The Kingdom of Tonga hosted a two-day Sustainable Tourism Workshop from 16–17 October 2025 in Neiafu, Vava’u, convened under the Pacific Tourism Organisation’s (SPTO) regional partnership programmes. The workshop included updates on Tonga’s tourism progress, and national waste management sectors to examine integrated approaches that strengthen sustainability across the region.

The workshop featured two key components. The first introduced the Standards and Certification Programme for Phasing Out Single Use Plastics (SUPs) in the Pacific Tourism Industry—a transformative initiative developed in partnership with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). This programme aims to eliminate SUP consumption by promoting sustainable alternatives and practices across the region’s tourism sector.

The second component focused on Gastronomy Tourism, an emerging initiative led by SPTO in collaboration with UN Tourism and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). This effort seeks to develop immersive itineraries that celebrate local cuisine and agritourism experiences, connecting visitors with producers and tourism operators in the Pacific.

Day one set the stage with updates on Tonga’s tourism progress, national waste management strategies, and the broader Pacific Sustainable Tourism Policy Framework. Participants examined barriers to phasing out SUPs and explored sustainable alternatives already in use. The day concluded with a deep dive into agritourism, highlighting opportunities to link local farmers with tourism operators to create authentic, sustainable visitor experiences.

On the 17th of October, SPTO along with national and regional partners conducted site visits to local farms, offering firsthand insights into Tonga’s agricultural richness. These visits informed the development of a gastronomy tourism itinerary and showcased the country’s culinary potential. The team also visited accommodations to learn more on the current efforts and challenges in phasing out SUPs for the Vavau tourism industry.

Key outcomes from this mission included heightened awareness and commitment from tourism businesses, the identification of national priorities for plastic reduction, and strengthened cross-sector partnerships.

As the Pacific charts a course toward a plastic-free future, Tonga’s steady progress offers a promising example of how environmental responsibility can be woven into the fabric of tourism development—helping to safeguard the region’s natural beauty and cultural heritage for generations to come.

ENDS.