Tourism needs to be supported because it relies on local services and products, says the acting Head of Cooperation of the European Union Delegation, Pedro Velazquez.
Speaking at the start of the Regional Validation Workshop on Sustainable Tourism Enhancement in the Pacific (STEP), Mr Velazquez said tourism was about opportunity.
“Tourism is not just about visitors and resorts, it is about livelihoods,” he said.
“Tourism reaches remote communities, supports small businesses, and sustains traditional practices. Yet, we must also be candid about the risks of unsustainable tourism.
“Tourism supports local economies but tourism also needs to be supported and well connected to the whole economic fabric of the country.”
Organised by the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), the workshop focuses on sustainable consumption and production and circular economy policies and practices in tourism.
SPTO chief executive Christopher Cocker said the workshop was key to strengthening vital linkages.
“The more we come together, share our diverse perspectives, and build bridges, the clearer our path will become in forging a shared and sustainable future for the sector,” he said.
“I am confident that through our collaborative efforts over these two days, we will emerge with a strengthened regional roadmap and clear country pathways that will guide our actions in the months and years to come.”
Earlier this year, SPTO conducted a scoping exercise in Fiji as part of the SWITCH-Asia Sustainable Tourism Enhancement Project. The initiative aimed to gather insights on integrating the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Standards into national policies.
The scoping exercise was an initial step towards developing the Fiji Sustainable Tourism Standards.
