Figures revealed by the United Nations World Tourism Organization has shown that 67 percent of food consumed by the tourism sector in the region is imported.

This has prompted the South Pacific Tourism Organization to call on pacific island countries to use more local food in their dishes.

SPTO Research and Statistics Manager Elizabeth Ragimana says they are working closely with other tourism sectors in the region promoting the consumption of locally grown food.

“If we lose our local food, consumption and production, we will also lose our culture so this is a way forward in promoting not only food consumption and production but also our culture and identity in the region."

Meanwhile, a study by the United Nations Development Program reveals many tourists visit our region to enjoy our traditional dishes.

“Definitely these tourists are not coming here to have western food. So we must make local food because we have so many varieties and indigenous traditional ways of preparation that is so healthy that we have forgotten.”

The SPTO says that encouraging the consumption of local food will also help achieve the Sustainable Development Goal of promoting sustainable consumption and production in the region.