Established in 1983 as the Tourism Council of the South Pacific, the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) is the mandated organisation representing Tourism in the region.
Its 21 Government members are American Samoa, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Marshall Islands, New Caledonia, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor Leste, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis & Futuna, Rapa Nui and the People’s Republic of China. In addition to government members, the Pacific Tourism Organisation has about 200 private sector members.
SPTO Mission Statement and Objective
SPTO mission:
“Sustainable tourism development through innovative partnerships”
goals:
● To improve air and sea access to Islands
● To Enhance brand “Pacific”
● To develop capacity of Government and private sector for sustainable tourism
The Vision for Tourism
“Our Pacific Islands’ empowered and benefitting from sustainable tourism”
CEO’s Office
Mandate:
The CEOs Office is responsible for the management of the organisation and achievement of the organisational objectives, through the development and implementation of the five-year Business Plan and Annual Divisional Work Plans.
The CEOs Office is responsible for the operational and financial management of the organisation including staff recruitment and performance monitoring.
The CEOs Office is also responsible for growing the SPTO country membership base and increasing the funding base of the organisation. The CEOs Office is also responsible for advocacy, stakeholder management and Board and corporate communications.
Goal:
To effectively manage SPTO as the regional tourism industry advocate and leader in tourism development and marketing
Key Functions:
● Advocacy
● Strategic Management
● Human Resource Management
● Stakeholder Communications
● Partnership Development
● Governance and Reporting
● Membership Management
Division of Marketing
The Division of Marketing is responsible for facilitating the marketing and promotion of the Pacific as a tourism destination, maintaining the SPTO online presence and leading the SPTO Private Sector Membership Programme.
Goal:
To increase the awareness of the South Pacific as a tourism destination.
Key Functions:
● Marketing Planning
● Pacific Brand Management
● Trade Show Coordination
● South Pacific Specialist Program
● Internet Marketing
● Private Sector Membership Program
● Cruise Sector Marketing
● Technical Assistance
Division of Research & Planning
This Division is responsible for supporting the sustainable development of tourism in the Pacific through the collection and dissemination of information and research and the facilitation of sustainable tourism development policy and programs.
Goal:
To be the focal point for tourism related research, information and regional tourism planning
Functions:
● Tourism Statistics
● Tourism Resource Centre
● Research Publications
● Ad hoc research
● Planning and Policy Support
● HRD Liaison and NTO Attachment
● Project Design and Development
● Technical Assistance
Division of Sustainable Tourism Development
This Division is responsible for supporting the sustainable development of tourism in the Pacific in terms of the Environmental, Socio-Cultural and Economic aspects.
Goal:
To provide support to the Sustainable Development of Tourism in the region.
Key Functions:
● Capacity Building
● Technical Assistance on Sustainable Tourism issues through SPTO Partnerships
● Advisory Capacity on National Plans & Policies relative to Sustainable Tourism Development
Division of Finance and Corporate Services
The Finance and Corporate Services Division is responsible for profiling the support services function for SPTO, including accounting, ICT and human resources.
Goal:
To ensure that the SPTO accounting, ICT and human resource systems enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the organisation through accurate and timely records and reports.
Key Functions:
● Accounts and Audit
● Internal HRD
● Board Papers/Logistics
● Asset Management
● ITC Support Management
SPTO Products and Services
SPTO’s goal is to develop tourism through the delivery of products and services that satisfies its’ members’ needs. The SPTO aims to be a customer focused international organisation, which is self-financing based on the delivery of identified value propositions. In order to achieve this, SPTO has member-driven work programs and adopts a commercial approach to the operations and activities of the Organisation. This ensures that the SPTO adds value to the activities of its government and private sector members.
SPTO offers the following range of products and services:
Research
● Regional Statistical Analysis
● NTO Bi Annual Benchmarking Survey
● Quarterly Market Intelligence Summary
● Market Sector Studies
● Membership Weekly Newsletter
Marketing
● Regional Branding
● Overseas Representation
● Travel Show/Road Show Coordination and Facilitation
● Regional Collateral Material
● Regional Tourism Magazine
● Web site development and promotion
● Internet Marketing
● Lead Generation
● Tourism Products Database
● Internet and Marketing Training / Consulting
Membership Services
● Product Promotion via SPTO ’s Website
● Member Discounts
● Photo Library
● Banner Advertising
● Database Marketing
● Regional Tourism Conference
● Training Facilitation and Implementation
● Industry and Stakeholder Workshops
● Bi-annual Regional Tourism Conference
● Regional Tourism Policy and Planning
● Technical Assistance
● Project Management/Implementation Services
● Consultancy Database
● South Pacific Tourism Investment Guide
The Future
SPTO will continue to play a pivotal role in the regional co-ordination of the tourism sector. We will continue to work closely with both government and private sector members to co-ordinate regional marketing, planning, investment and human resource development activities.
The SPTO is committed to achieve the sustainable growth of the sector as encompassed in the regional Vision for tourism. We will facilitate the achievement of the regional Vision, in partnership with governments, the private sector and the donor community, for the benefit of the people of the South Pacific.
