At the thirty third Council of Tourism Ministers Meeting in Suva Fiji, the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), in partnership with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), the European Union (EU), and the Australian Government, proudly unveiled three pioneering Environmental Sustainability Projects. These initiatives aim to guide the Pacific tourism sector toward responsible practices that prioritise environmental preservation and sustainable growth.
SPREP Director, Environmental Monitoring and Governance, Mr Jope Davetanivalu mentioned that the guidelines were designed to provide technical guidance, benchmarks, and actionable steps, and equip destinations and businesses with the tools needed to protect the Pacific’s unique ecosystems while respecting cultural values.
“These tools are not just documents but are strategic guidelines to assist in implementing the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Policy Framework (PSTFP) and move closer to the vision set out in our 2050 strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. Looking ahead, these tools will help our Member countries build tourism sectors that are both profitable and sustainable to benefit our people while protecting our environment for future generations,” Mr Davetanivalu said.
The first of the initiatives, the Responsible Marine Wildlife Viewing Guidelines developed under the Pacific BioScapes Programme a European Union (EU) funded action, managed and implemented by SPREP, aims to safeguard marine wildlife—including whales, dolphins, dugongs, sharks, rays, turtles, and seabirds—by establishing responsible practices for tourism activities. The guidelines set ethical standards for wildlife encounters, fostering tourism experiences that are not only memorable but also sustain delicate marine ecosystems and attract eco-conscious visitors.
Mr Viliami Takau, CEO of the Tonga Ministry of Tourism noted the importance of such guidelines for eco-tourism. “For Tonga, one of our flagship tourism events and money earners is the whale watching and whale swimming season. We are working with our Ministry of Fisheries with our special marine areas and this is new for us. But we are in a good space to start implementing it”.
Plastic pollution poses one of the most pressing environmental threats to the Pacific’s pristine landscapes and marine habitats, and in turn eco-tourism. Developed with support from the Australian Government funded Pacific Ocean Litter Project (POLP) and implemented by SPREP, the second of the initiatives, the Standards to Phase Out Single-Use Plastics (SUPs)provides guidance for the tourism sector to reduce and replace single-use plastics, with sustainable alternatives and substitutes, in support of collective actions for cleaner Pacific coastal environments.
“Single use plastic are a significant contributor of plastic to our coastal areas and our oceans. The initiative to phase out single use plastics really aligns with the work of our office, the region and trying to preserve our environment” said Mr Tupa’i Robert Ah Sam from the Samoa Tourism Authority.
Hotels and resorts are central to the tourism experience but can leave a significant environmental footprint. The final initiative, the Environmental Auditing Guidelines for Tourism Accommodations, funded by the EU under the ACP MEAs 3 Programme, provides accommodations of all sizes with the resources to evaluate and improve their environmental practices, covering areas such as energy and water usage, waste management, and conservation. This initiative sets a benchmark for sustainable operations across Pacific accommodations, aligning business practices with environmental stewardship.
“Education is very important for our people to take care of their environment. I believe these standards will certainly help” said Mr Francis Carlos Domnick from the Office of Commerce, Investment and Tourism, Republic of the Marshall Islands.
SPTOs Sustainable Tourism Sub-Committee Chair Mr Brad Kiner shared that developing these guidelines involved two years of extensive consultation with Pacific Island nations, ensuring the resources reflect the region’s unique environmental and cultural landscape.
“On behalf of SPTO, the Sustainable Tourism Sub-Committee, and the wider SPTO Membership, we express our gratitude to the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme for their commitment to advancing tourism’s role in our collective environmental goals. We also extend our sincere thanks to our valued donor partners, the Australian Government and the European Union, for their vital funding support, which has been instrumental in achieving these milestones,” he shared.
“We now look to our donors and partners to support the next phase of this journey—implementing these tools through education, training, and collaboration with national stakeholders. We have laid a strong foundation for sustainable tourism that benefits both people and the planet.”
Please find links to the new publications below:
Responsible Marine Wildlife Viewing Guidelines
Standards to Phase Out Single-Use Plastics
Environmental Auditing Guidelines