Pacific Tourism Leaders Urged to Turn Regional Cooperation into Action
BY JOY OFASIA
Pacific tourism leaders have been urged to strengthen regional cooperation, invest in innovation and ensure tourism benefits reach communities across the region.
The call was made by South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) Chairlady and Vanuatu tourism chief executive officer, Mrs Adela Issachar Aru, during the official opening of the SPTO Pacific Tourism Meeting at the Pacific Crown Hotel in Honiara yesterday evening.
Mrs Aru said the meeting was more than an annual gathering, providing an opportunity for Pacific Island countries to assess the progress of tourism development and identify actions needed to secure the sector’s future.
She said tourism remained an important driver of economic growth and social development, making it necessary for Pacific countries to work together to address shared challenges and strengthen the industry.
“The strength of the Pacific lies in our ability to bring our cultures together,” Mrs Aru said.
She encouraged tourism leaders and industry stakeholders to invest in research and innovation, strengthen tourism businesses, improve access to finance and markets, and build resilience against climate change.
“You need to start thinking seriously about tourism about hospitality about travel about culture about who as the people of the Pacific we must invest in research and innovation, strengthen altruism, businesses, and resilience improve axis to finance and markets and ensure the tourism benefit, reach communities across our region,” Mrs Aru said.
She also stressed the importance of ensuring tourism development creates meaningful benefits for communities throughout the Pacific.
The SPTO Chairlady said regional cooperation was becoming increasingly important as Pacific countries faced global uncertainty and growing climate pressures.
She said the meeting provided an opportunity for delegates to network, share experiences, discuss common challenges and work towards practical solutions for the region’s tourism sector.
The meeting brings together delegations from SPTO member countries, including government representatives, tourism officials and industry stakeholders.
Mrs Aru urged participants to use the meeting to make decisions that would deliver lasting benefits for Pacific people and support the long term growth of the region’s tourism industry.
She also thanked the Solomon Islands Government and its people for welcoming the visiting delegations to Honiara.
