Pacific Tourism

The organisation, which has 20 government members, represents tourism in the Pacific region. Its member nations cover a large area of the Pacific region extending from Rapa Nui in the east to Timor Leste in the west, as well as from the Republic of the Marshall Islands in the north, all the way south to the Kingdom of Tonga.

"We also have more than 100 private sector members from the industry," said Chris Cocker, CEO.

These figures were released by the South Pacific Tourism Organisation this week following the completion of its annual review of visitor arrivals for 2016.

The results are in line with global tourist arrival figures which grew by 3.9 per cent with the Asia Pacific region recording an increased growth of 8.4 per cent for the same period.

With ‘sustainable tourism’ as the theme of the three-day meeting, sustainability has been at the forefront of discussions.

More than a buzz-phrase, Pacific island countries are increasingly embracing and adopting sustainable tourism practices, with the host Cook Islands using the platform of the meetings to launch the country’s sustainable tourism policies at the prime minister’s welcome event.

Hotels, airlines and tour companies have been able to convince foreign buyers at the South Pacific Tourism Exchange (SPTE) that operations are normal and visitors are welcome.

According to Islands Business, South Pacific Tourism Organisation Acting CEO, Alisi Lutu, said the event at Sea World Resort on Australia’s Gold Coast was already a huge success after less than a day.

“Samoa, Vanuatu and Fiji which were affected by Cyclones Pam and Winston have had many queries from overseas buyers on the state of infrastructure,” Lutu said.

South Pacific Tourism Organisation marketing manager Alisi Lutu said the event wo­uld continue to provi­de a platform for international travel agents and Pacific Island destinations tourism operators to conduct business-to-business meetings and exchanges.

Lutu made the announcement during a press conference in Suva to announce the dates for the 2016 South Pacific Tourism Exchange.