The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), which represents 20 Pacific Island governments and also enlists a large private sector membership base, has partnered with international tourism NGO, the Travel Foundation, to help the region’s tourism sector to ‘rebuild better’.

The partnership will focus on ‘smart recovery’ to maximise the value tourism brings to communities in the Pacific, as tourism recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic, supporting Pacific Island governments and businesses to rebuild tourism on strong foundations based on sustainable, managed growth, enhanced quality of life, and protection of natural and cultural resources.

The organisations will develop and deliver together a programme of work focused on developing new products and experiences based on the uniqueness of each island, stimulating local entrepreneurship and strong local supply chains; enhancing tourism governance with new standards, research to better understand social, environmental and economic impacts, and new measures of success; training and skills development for governments, small businesses and other organisations.

Jeremy Sampson, CEO of Travel Foundation, said: “We have high hopes for a fruitful collaboration where innovation and best practice will combine to demonstrate the true potential of tourism to benefit communities.”

Christopher Cocker, CEO of the SPTO said: “We welcome the experience and expertise that the Travel Foundation brings to our team, and look forward to working in close collaboration to support our members with the tools, resources and programmes that will support smart and swift recovery, and ensure the region’s tourism offer is future fit.”