Sustainable Tourism Development
December 24, 2020
Since the COVID-19 pandemic brought tourism to a halt, queues to see the world’s most beautiful, natural wonders have disappeared. Gone are the clicking sounds of photos being snapped of wildlife through big lens cameras. On many island destinations like Hawaii and Fiji, beaches have been devoid of tourists due to pandemic-related travel restrictions.
December 24, 2020
Approximately half of the world’s population is under 30 years old, adding greater meaning to the popular notion, “Youth are the custodians of the future.” Any decision made today will have a direct effect on the future lives of our youth and highlights the important role young people can play as key future decision makers.
Around the world, the role and engagement of youth is consistently highlighted, with countries, organisations and groups seeking to support the voice and participation of youth, especially with concern to sustainable development, climate change and environmental issues.
December 24, 2020
Despite knowing the damage she was causing, Nguyen Thi Vang still walks through the coral reef in the Tam Hai sea to collect seaweed for her daily meals. “When I walk, I heard its broken sound and I feel painful,” said Nguyen. “Yet I need seaweed.”
December 24, 2020
Sustainable tourism development, as defined by the World Tourism Organization, is tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social, and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities.
The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), the leading regional agency for the protection of the environment in the Pacific, has contributed to strengthening sustainable tourism development in the Pacific by developing various environmental planning and assessment tools, which were highlighted during the second day of the 10th Pacific Island Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas.
August 30, 2020
The University of the South Pacific’s (USP) Institute of Applied Sciences (IAS) has commenced works with the European Union Pacific Waste Management (PacWastePlus) Programme, through a service agreement focused on developing a sustainable capacity building program for waste management in the Pacific.
PacWastePlus is funded by the European Union and implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) to improve and enhance waste management activities and the capacity of governments, industry and communities to manage waste to reduce the impact on human health and the environment in participating Pacific island countries.
August 30, 2020
Another bottle. Yet another one. We are 200km from land, in the middle of the South Pacific, and this is the third bottle we’ve found already this morning Everywhere is plastic. The plastic we use unthinkingly every single day, the plastic we throw away without a moment’s thought, it lives on, […]
August 30, 2020
Earlier this month, the world came together to celebrate International Youth Day on the theme “Youth Engagement for Global Action”. My job requires me to work directly with Governments, private sector and many development partners, actors and organisations who play a part in the development of tourism in the Pacific. It may be a coincidence, but I was fortunate to be invited as a guest speaker at the TS311 – Sustainable Tourism Development class at the University of the South Pacific, Laucala Campus in Suva, Fiji on 10th August 2020.
August 30, 2020
A new look Pacific Regional Fisheries Ministers Meeting, which started virtually yesterday, has tabled key concerns on the state of coastal fisheries, climate change and marine pollution. Their decisions reflect regional priorities for the fisheries and marine sector. Cook Islands Prime Minister and Minister of Marine Resources, the Honourable Henry […]
August 30, 2020
A new, cool and very eco hotel to add to your wish list. indigoeight has been appointed to represent the world’s first fully sustainable, energy neutral hotel, which opened in Amsterdam this summer. Using nature as inspiration, combined with clever technology and special engineering, the highly efficient waterfront Four Elements Hotel Amsterdam is located on IJburg, an area made up of three reclaimed islands.
August 29, 2020
“I have been teaching my students how to produce kapa which is a traditional cloth made from the inner bark of a native plant. This material is used for clothes for both men and women, and for blankets, as there was no woven or loomed clothing in the past.
Traditional designs are printed onto the cloth using natural dyes. In the winter people would wear several layers of kapa which they would gradually peel off as the weather got warmer. It is also used in ceremonies. I was recently asked to make a kapa to wrap and then inter ancestral remains, the bones of our ancestors, that were returned home to the islands as a result of federal legislation in the Native American Graves Repatriation and Protection Act (NAGPRA).
March 2, 2020
The workshop was facilitated by the Department of Tourism, Votausi Mackenzie from Lapita Café, Robert Oliver the Executive Director Pacific Islands Food Revolution and supported by the Pacific Agricultural Research and Development Initiative (PARDI 2) project under the Australian Centre for Agricultural Research (ACIAR).
March 2, 2020
A cleaner Pacific Ocean free from single-use plastics.
February 29, 2020
The Uto ni Yalo trust is now building 100 traditional canoes which will not only be environmentally friendly but a cheaper form of transportation.
February 29, 2020
Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie, a fitness fanatic, or a connoisseur of fine French wine, Australia’s Pacific neighbour New Caledonia has it all on offer. The first thing I remember flying into New Caledonia was the breathtaking views of New Caledonia’s lagoon – the largest in the world. The second thing was salivating at the sights of the bakeries packed with fresh baguettes, pastries and desserts (almost) too perfect to eat.
February 29, 2020
Resort operator Soneva recently launched its Namoona Baa initiative, marking the first major step towards reducing waste in the Maldives.
September 27, 2019
I would like to begin by congratulating SPTO’s Sustainable Tourism Development Division on the launch of the monthly newsletter focusing on Sustainable Tourism and Community Development in the Pacific.