The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) will launch the third phase of their programme aimed at reducing single-use plastics across the Pacific tourism sector, with implementation expected to begin in July or August this year. The initiative, supported by the Australian governmen...

The Fiji Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation has concluded nationwide public consultations on the Draft Tourism Bill 2026, marking a key step toward establishing the country’s first comprehensive tourism legislation. Consultations were conducted across major tourism centres including Suva, Sigatoka, Nadi, Rakiraki, Labasa and Savusavu, with particip...

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 initia...

New Caledonia is moving to strengthen the governance and regional positioning of its cultural sector, following a high-level steering committee meeting focused on major events and policy reforms. Mickaël Forrest, the government member in charge of culture, chaired the third meeting of the steering committee for large cultural events at Canala City Hall...

The Government for National Unity and Transformation is reporting renewed momentum in the tourism sector, with four new hotels and accommodation facilities opening in the first quarter of 2026, signalling increased investor confidence and sectoral growth. The new developments include Zaru Hotel in Gizo, Western Province; Double Island Resort and Raider...

The Government has reaffirmed its support for locally driven tourism investment following the launch of a new cruise vessel aimed at expanding Fiji’s premium travel offering. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka officiated at the launch of the MV Yasawa Princess II at Port Denarau in Nadi on 26 March, marking...

The Vanuatu Tourism Office and Tourism Solomons Office have completed their second online refresher training for 2026 under the Pacific Tourism Data Initiative, a regional programme aimed at strengthening tourism data capabilities across Pacific Island countries. Delivered in partnership with the Pacific Tourism Organisation, the week-long training hel...

The Pacific Tourism Organisation has graduated 21 participants from its Online Pasifika Cultural Tourism Training programme, marking a step forward in efforts to strengthen cultural tourism across the region. Participants from eight Pacific countries — Papua New Guinea, Fiji, the Cook Islands, Vanuatu, French Polynesia, Samoa, Solomon Islands and the F...

The Minister for Culture and Tourism, Choylin Douglas, on 13 March officially opened the newly upgraded Raiders Hotel in Tulagi, Gela, Central Islands Province. The opening marks a significant milestone for the hotel’s owners and management and provides a major boost for tourism development in Central Islands Province and the Solomon Islands. The ho...

 Culture and Tourism Minister Choylin Douglas has officially opened the Rua Kokomu Island Resort, also known as Double Island Resort, in Gela, underscoring the Solomon Islands government's push to expand the tourism sector. The luxury resort, owned and operated by the Leong family, was formally opened on March 6 following significant private investment...

The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) has announced the Vanuatu Tourism Office (VTO) as the National Tourism Organisation (NTO) Regional Leader Sponsor for the South Pacific Tourism Exchange (SPTE) 2026, to be held from 25–26 March 2026 at the Crowne Plaza Resort & Spa, Nadi. SPTE 2026 will bring together tourism sellers and buyers from across th...

Fiji’s tourism and aviation sectors will remain central to the country’s economic development strategy, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka said in Parliament, as the government also advances plans for a new tourism law to strengthen governance of the industry. Responding during a ministerial statement, Gavo...

Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka honoured industry leaders and businesses at the ANZ Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards 2025, highlighting tourism’s continued role as a key driver of the country’s economy. Speaking at the awards ceremony held in Nadi on 28 February, Rabuka said Fiji’s tourism industry continues to demonstrate resilience and adaptabil...

Fiji Airports and its chief executive Mesake Nawari have received international recognition at the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) International Travel Awards 2026 held in Berlin, Germany, with Nadi International Airport named Best Airport – South Pacific Islands. Nawari also received the PATWA Gold Award – Excellence in Leadership – Ai...

Air Niugini has launched a companywide Customer Experience Transformation (CXT) programme aimed at improving service standards and positioning the national carrier for a higher international airline rating. The initiative was introduced during the airline’s first staff town hall of 2026 held last Friday in Port Moresby, which also marked the formal wel...

Pacific Tourism Organisation has announced a strategic partnership with Fiji Airways as platinum partner for the South Pacific Tourism Exchange (SPTE) 2026. The event will be held from March 25 to 26, 2026, at the Crowne Plaza Resort & Spa under the theme “Tourism that Connects: Culture, Climate, Community”. SPTE 2026 will highlight the Pacific’...