While tourism is not the sole contributor to waste pollution, industry leaders say it must acknowledge its role in the growing environmental challenge.
This was the message from Christopher Cocker, the CEO of the Pacific Tourism Organisation, during the National Workshop on Phasing Out Single-Use Plastics in the Fiji Tourism Industry held in Nadi this week.
“More importantly, we are a powerful part of the solution,” Mr Cocker said, noting the sector’s far-reaching influence.
“Our industry is an influential platform – when a hotel or tour operator makes the switch, it sends a ripple effect through the entire supply chain and changes guest behaviour.”
He said under the 10-Year Decade of Action, particularly through the Standards and Certification Framework for phasing out single-use plastics (SUPs), the organisation aims to eliminate problematic, unsafe and unsustainable plastics from the tourism value chain.
“To do this, we are actively strengthening support systems and sourcing better alternatives,” he said.
Mr Cocker called on stakeholders to use the two-day workshop to build practical connections that can help bridge the gap between policy and implementation. He pointed to partners such as Return and Earn Fiji, which is providing insights on recycling solutions, and Control Union, which is offering third-party certification support.
“As we move forward, I ask for your transparency. Be frank with us. What are your guests saying? What specific help do your businesses need in your part of the island? We need to know how these efforts are embraced by your management and where the barriers remain.”
He urged industry players to support SPTO’s Baseline Data Collection Trial by volunteering as “champions,” stressing the importance of evidence-based planning.
“We cannot attract the funding and support required if we do not have the hard data to support our case.”
Mr Cocker also commended tourism operators across the country for their ongoing efforts to reduce waste pollution, describing their contributions as vital to the sector’s transition toward sustainability.
