World’s largest online travel advisor to market the Pacific

Trip Advisor has joined forces with Pacific Trade Invest (PTI) Australia, an agency of Pacific Islands Forum countries, to empower Pacific island tourism operators to grab a bigger share of the global online travel market – estimated to be worth around AUD$1.4 billion come the year 2022 by sharpening their digital marketing efforts.

PTI Australia’s digital tourism programme is key to assisting Pacific businesses. Last year, six PTI Australia digital tourism workshops were held in Palau, New Caledonia, Samoa, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, supporting the construction of 27 new tourism websites.

A record revenue of $10.57 million was generated in 2017 from online bookings through PTI Australia supported sites across 16 Pacific island nations.

To further enhance PTI Australia’s digital tourism programme, the world’s largest online travel site, Trip Advisor, adds further value to the workshop by equipping local operators with social media marketing skills and knowledge, as well as educating participants on the importance of customer referrals.

PTI Australia trade & Investment Commissioner, Caleb Jarvis said the partnership with Trip Advisor helps to fill a knowledge and skills gap that had been identified in local tourism operators based in the Pacific islands.

Revenue from online travel bookings grew by 73 per cent from 2011 to 2016, yet many Pacific island tourism operators have no online presence.

“Our partnership with Trip Advisor will strengthen our digital tourism workshops, educating participants about the importance of digital channels and social recommendations. This will allow them to be considered when holiday-makers are researching online where to stay and what to do in this beautiful part of the world,” Jarvis said.

Sarah Mathews, Trip Advisor’s head of Destination Marketing, Asia-Pacific, said PTI Australia was an essential partner for connecting with businesses in the Pacific islands.

“The Pacific islands has something for the nature-lover with its tropical beaches, volcanic islands and natural scenery,” said Mathews.

“We are excited to launch the workshops with PTI Australia, which will provide local hospitality businesses and service-providers with insights on travel trends and consumer behaviour to help them more effectively reach out and cater to global travellers,” said Mathews…. PACNEWS