The Pacific region has set a new benchmark in sustainable tourism practices with the launch of the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Standard (PSTS).
Pacific Tourism Organisation CEO Christopher Cocker said the launch of the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Standard represented a significant step towards more responsible and sustainable tourism practices in the Pacific region.
“The importance of collective action and that the standards provide another pathway for effecting transformative change in tourism by turning policy into action,” he said.
“We have heard in the last two days that the journey towards sustainable tourism cannot be embarked upon in isolation. We all need to work together – or nothing will move forward.
“As we look ahead, the next phase of implementation for the PSTS will involve raising awareness and implementing training programs, ensuring that the standards are effectively integrated into the operations of NTOs across the Pacific.”
The development of the PSTS was made possible through funding by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
“This has been actively worked on with the expert guidance of TRC Tourism and is now embraced by all your organisations,” said New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Tourism Specialist Paul Davis.
