The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), in partnership with the Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI) and with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), has advanced regional efforts to embed gender equality across the tourism sector with the review of its draft Gender and Inclusive Tourism Action Plan (GITAP) 2026–2030.
The initiative was presented during a regional webinar, marking a key step toward strengthening inclusivity and equity in one of the Pacific’s most important economic sectors.
Persistent gender gaps despite workforce participation
Recent gender audits across seven national tourism organisations (NTOs) and SPTO revealed a mixed picture of progress and structural challenges.
While women account for more than half of the workforce in accommodation and food services, they remain concentrated in lower-paid roles. In the private sector, women hold just 21 percent of board positions, highlighting limited representation in decision-making roles.
By contrast, NTOs have achieved greater gender balance, with women occupying around 50 percent of leadership roles.
However, all nine organisations assessed reported little to no dedicated budget for gender-focused initiatives, pointing to a gap between policy intent and institutional support.
Four-pillar roadmap for inclusive tourism
The draft GITAP 2026–2030 outlines a regional framework anchored on four key pillars:
- data monitoring and advocacy
- policy and planning for inclusive tourism
- women’s economic empowerment and private sector engagement
- institutional commitments in human resources and organisational culture
The plan is designed as a practical, regionally owned roadmap to guide governments, tourism bodies and private sector stakeholders in embedding gender equality into tourism development.
SPTO Chief Executive Officer Christopher Cocker emphasised the need to translate data into action, noting that tourism plays a central role in Pacific economies and communities.
“A resilient and inclusive tourism sector requires gender equality to be embedded across policy, budgeting, and organisational culture,” he said.
Aligning with broader regional policy goals
The initiative aligns with Goal 2 of the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Policy Framework, which focuses on building “thriving and inclusive communities.”
Tourism remains a critical economic driver across Pacific island economies, contributing to employment, foreign exchange earnings and community livelihoods.
However, sector growth has also exposed structural issues, including limited access to finance, weak data systems and uneven participation across gender groups.
The gender audit process supporting the action plan has established a regional evidence base, including synthesis reports, national-level assessments and a gender mainstreaming toolkit to guide implementation.
From consultation to implementation
Stakeholders participating in the webinar provided early feedback on the draft plan, ensuring it reflects national contexts and diverse perspectives across Pacific economies.
The framework is expected to be further discussed at upcoming SPTO board-level engagements, with a focus on transitioning from policy design to implementation.
SPTO acknowledged the contributions of ADB and PSDI in advancing the initiative, particularly in strengthening technical capacity and supporting evidence-based policymaking.
Toward a more inclusive tourism sector
The development of the GITAP signals a broader shift toward inclusive and sustainable tourism in the Pacific, where gender equality is increasingly recognised as a core driver of long-term resilience.
By integrating gender considerations into policy, planning and operations, the region aims to ensure that tourism growth delivers more equitable economic opportunities and social outcomes.
The initiative also underscores the importance of institutional commitment, particularly in aligning budgets, policies and organisational practices with inclusivity goals.
As Pacific economies continue to rebuild and expand their tourism sectors, the success of the strategy will depend on sustained coordination between governments, industry stakeholders and development partners.
