Pacific Tourism Organisation

The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) formerly known as the South Pacific Tourism Organisation[1] is an intergovernmental organisation for the tourism sector in the South Pacific. The SPTO markets, promotes, and develops tourism in the Pacific in overseas markets. The main office is located in Suva, Fiji.[2]

Originally, the organisation was funded by the European Union as a form of development aid. However, EU funding expired in 2004 and was not renewed. From that point onwards, the SPTO was forced to find other sources of income, which resulted in China becoming a member of the SPTO.[3][4]

History

The organisation was established in 1983 as the Tourism Council of the South Pacific (TCSP).[5] In 1985 the European Economic Community provided the council with US$2.6 million to establish a joint marketing strategy, promote tourism, and study its impacts.[6] In 1999 following an organisational review it changed its name to the South Pacific Tourism Organisation.[7] The organisation was formalised with a multilateral treaty, the Constitution of the Pacific Tourism Organisation.[8] The treaty was concluded and signed in Apia on 18 October 1999 by the governments of American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, New Caledonia, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. All of the signatory governments have ratified the constitution, except American Samoa, which had left the SPTO in the 1980's. American Samoa rejoined the SPTO in October 2013.[9]

China signed the treaty and joined the SPTO in November 2004.[3] Other nations have also joined, and as of 2021 the SPTO has 21 member states.[5]

In 2019, the organisation renamed itself the Pacific Tourism Organisation.[1]

Organisation

SPTO's supreme governing body is the Council of Tourism Ministers that meets annually. The council's primary functions include monitoring and reviewing SPTO's policies, strategies, work programmes and budgets. It is also responsible for securing funding for SPTO's activities.[10]

A board of directors that meets about three times annually is responsible for the general administration of SPTO's operational and financial policies. The Board has one representative from each of the member countries and six from the Tourism Industry Members (TIMs). The Board implements the policies approved by the Council of Ministers. A Chief Executive, appointed by the Board, carries out the day-to-day administrative functions of SPTO.[10]

References
  1. "SPTO changes name to 'Pacific Tourism Organization'". Television Niue. 2019-10-08. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  2. "Contact Us". Pacific Tourism Organisation. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  3. "China joins tourism council". Fiji Times. 27 November 2004. p. 12 – via EBSCOHost.
  4. "China gives board $0.2m". Fiji Times. 24 February 2005. p. 27 – via EBSCOHost.
  5. "Who We Are". Pacific Tourism Organisation. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  6. "$2.6m shot in the arm for tourism". Pacific Islands Monthly. Vol. 56, no. 5. 1 May 1985. p. 39. Retrieved 19 August 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. "TOURISM COUNCIL OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC CHANGES ITS NAME TO SOUTH PACIFIC TOURISM ORGANIZATION (SPTO)". Pacific Islands Report. 1 November 1999. Archived from the original on 23 December 2017. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  8. "Constitution of the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO)". PACLII. 18 October 1999. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  9. "American Samoa rejoins SPTO". RNZ. 18 October 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  10. "Organisational Structure". Pacific Tourism Organisation. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
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