Update from the Division: June 2021

Talofa Lava from the Sustainable Tourism & Research Division at SPTO!

In this issue of our Pacific Sustainable Tourism Newsbeat, we are pleased to announce that our feature country is Samoa! Through a combined teamwork with the Samoa Tourism Authority and industry members, we are excited to update you with a number of key industry and national stories on efforts in adapting to a COVID-19 environment and conservation initiatives.

The featured stories from Samoa this month include the introduction of the Samoa Travel Tracer App followed by the launch of an ecotourism project that showcases efforts towards the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. Moreover, the feature stories also include an update from the National Tourism Organisation and we will shine the light on sustainability champions from the industry.

In this issue, we are also happy to make a few announcements. Registrations for the Destination Marking – Inbound Travel Training, which will be conducted by Rosie Academy, is now open to SPTO Small Island States Countries and Territories and will close on the 16 July 2021. Secondly, don’t miss out on the application for expression of interest for the Art & Culture Grant Scheme which is implemented by the Pacific Community (SPC) – deadline has been extended to 11 July 2021. Don’t miss out as well on our Request for Quotation for a Short Term Consultancy for the development of SPTO’s Pacific Tourism Statistic Strategy 3 year work plan and communication strategy – deadline is 13 July 2021.

A webinar by the Environmental investigation Agency is scheduled to take place this month on the ‘Non-state Actors and the Plastic Pollution’. If you would like to support the on-going effort of the tourism sector in reducing it’s environmental impacts and emissions, do take part on the Global Survey of Climate Action in Tourism provided by UNWTO.

The second webinar on the Agritourism Experiences Talanoa Webinar Series, which was launched last month, is scheduled to take place on 21 July 2021 focusing on the theme of Farm to Table Experience which will be presented by the Pacific Community’s Pacific Organics and Ethical Trade Community (POETCom).  Watch this space for more update on this. We thank those who attended the launch on Zoom or through our Facebook page where you can find the webinar recording.

This issue also provides an update from the Research and Statistics team.

We thank those who have submitted their quotations for the Consultancy Services on the Pacific Ecotourism Recovery initiative which closed last week. The selected consultant will be developing a preliminary feasibility assessment on the selected tourism sites in four Pacific Island Countries.

Stay up to date with our next Pacific Sustainable Tourism Newsbeat which will feature Vanuatu for the month of July!

Any queries or feedback can be directed to sustainable@spto.org

Fa’afetai Tele (Thank You!)

Team STRD

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