Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism Viliame Gavoka [2nd from right] during his visit to Tonga, last week [Source: Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation/Facebook]

Fiji has reaffirmed its leadership and commitment to sustainable tourism development in the Pacific as it handed over the chairmanship of the South Pacific Tourism Organization Council of Ministers to Tonga during the regional meeting held in Vava’u, Tonga, last week.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism Viliame Gavoka says that the handover marks a continuation of Fiji’s strong advocacy for a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient Pacific tourism industry.

He states that, for Fiji, tourism is not only an economic pillar but also a bridge of culture, solidarity, and opportunity across the region.

During Fiji’s tenure as chair, the country steered key regional discussions that strengthened collaboration and culminated in the endorsement of the SPTO Strategic Plan 2025–2029.

“The Pacific geography demands reliable, affordable, and sustainable air services. Without aviation, tourism cannot grow. Without tourism, aviation cannot thrive.”

Gavoka adds that the plan sets out clear pathways for sustainable destination management, capacity building, and research, aligned with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.

Fiji also supported the adoption of the Pacific Tourism and Aviation Strategy 2026–2030, backed by Australia’s DFAT, highlighting the vital link between tourism and reliable, sustainable air services.

DPM welcomed the introduction of New Zealand’s digital tourism benchmarking dashboard, which will help Pacific nations make data-driven decisions to ensure tourism benefits both people and the environment.

Fiji reaffirmed its national commitment to align with the new regional frameworks, focusing on training, sustainability, and innovation through institutions such as the Fiji National University, ServicePro, and the Pacific Tourism Research Institute.

Reflecting on its term as chair, Gavoka highlighted the success of hosting the South Pacific Tourism Exchange 2024, which connected 61 international buyers with 79 Pacific sellers — the first such event in over a decade — signaling renewed investor confidence in the region.

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