The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) has reaffirmed its commitment to regional collaboration, urging Pacific leaders to recognise tourism not only as an economic sector vulnerable to global shocks but as a strategic tool for resilience, sustainability, and Pacific-led prosperity. At the 32nd Meeting of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Enviro...

Fiji Airways has soared into aviation history, becoming the smallest carrier by fleet size ever to be named among the Top 10 Airlines in the World after securing the APEX World Class Airline for 2026 Award. The honour, regarded as the most prestigious in global aviation, crowns a remarkable rise for the Fijian flag carrier, which also clinched the APEX...

The Solomon Islands and Cook Islands are exploring closer ties in tourism and culture, with both nations looking to turn shared heritage and industry needs into opportunities for cooperation. The discussions took place on the sidelines of the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Honiara, where Solomon Islands Minister for Culture and Tourism C...

The Solomon Islands recorded 13,994 visitor arrivals in the second quarter of 2025, marking a 21 percent increase compared with the previous quarter, according to official figures released on 29 August. Compared with the same quarter last year, arrivals grew 11.8 percent. Returning residents comprised the largest share of entries at 51.8 percent, while...

The Pacific’s rich cultures, traditions, and natural beauty have long shaped authentic visitor experiences that reflect the spirit of Pasifika. Building on this, Samoa and Fiji have launched a Peer-to-Peer Exchange on Community Tourism, coordinated by the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO)—a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at strengthening community-l...

The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), in partnership with Trove Tourism Development Advisors, has rolled out a landmark digital upgrade for five of its member National Tourism Organisations (NTOs): Timor-Leste, Tonga, Nauru, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). Funded by the New Zealand Government...

The Pacific island nation of Palau is fast emerging as a sought-after destination for Indian tourists, buoyed by the country’s recent move to grant visa-free entry to Indian passport holders. New booking data from digital travel platform Agoda shows that Palau recorded a 49% year-on-year (YoY) increase in accommodation searches between July and December 2...

Pacific Trade Invest (PTI) Australia is helping some of the region’s most remote nations carve a stronger presence in the Australian travel market through the 2025 Treasures of the South Pacific (ToSP) Roadshow. The two-week tour, which started in Brisbane on 18 August and ends in Newcastle on 3 September, will also stop in Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydn...

The University of the South Pacific (USP) and the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the Pacific Tourism Research Institute (PTRI), marking a milestone in regional collaboration. The institute will serve as a hub for knowledge generation, capacity building and innovation, aimed at ensuring t...

In recognition of World Mangrove Day, Loloata Island Resort led a coastal rehabilitation activity involving resort guests, local staff and volunteers, highlighting its ongoing commitment to marine conservation, ecological restoration and sustainable tourism. The event saw the planting of 58 Aegialitis annulata seedlings in polybags and the transplantat...

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Hon Viliame Gavoka urged the international community to move from ideas to action as he officially opened the 2025 Global Sustainable Tourism Conference at the Sofitel Resort in Denarau, Nadi on 5 August 2025. Organised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council in collaboration with Tour...

The long-awaited reopening of Govind Park, now renamed Four R Stadium, took place on 31 July, marking a significant milestone after the iconic venue was severely damaged by Cyclone Winston in 2016. Officiating at the event was the Minister for Housing and Local Government Maciu Nalumisa, who said the redevelopment is part of a broader vision in which s...

Fiji Airways is introducing a series of new onboard experiences, beginning with a vibrant Pacific Rim–inspired menu now available on select flights. This marks a bold step forward in its commitment to exceptional Fijian hospitality, service and world-class excellence. Leading this transformation is the new Dine on Demand concept in Business Class, laun...

TOARE, Gulf Province — The Toare Mask Festival has been successfully revived through a collaboration between TotalEnergies, the National Cultural Commission (NCC), and the Gulf Provincial Government. The two-day cultural event, held on 12-13 July, marked the 20th anniversary of the festival and the official opening of the Toare Cultural Centre. First e...

HONIARA, Solomon Islands — 9 July 2025 — One of Honiara’s most recognisable landmarks is preparing for a bold new chapter, as King Hotel and Resorts Limited (KHRL) embarks on a $45 million redevelopment of the King Solomon Hotel. A joint venture between the Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF) Board and the O’Neill Remington Group (ORG), KHR...

HONIARA, Solomon Islands — Steady progress is being made on the new Honiara Aviation Complex Building, a key infrastructure component under the Second Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project (SIRAP2). The initiative is being implemented by the Ministry of Communication and Aviation (MCA) with support from the World Bank. The contractor, China Railwa...