by Marie Kauna – EMTV Online, Port Moresby
The South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) Council of Ministers of Tourism meeting gathers island states to share and discuss issues and policies for the development of the tourism sector within the Pacific region.
This year’s meeting will be hosted by Tahiti, in Papeete on October 15.
The meeting is geared at providing ministers the opportunity to follow up on the progress of key regional tourism marketing activities and development work, and to provide strategic direction for the development of the tourism industry in the Pacific region.
16 of the 18 member countries will be attending the meeting.
SPTO Chief Executive, Illisoni Vuidreketi, said “the annual meeting is important for the growth and development of tourism in the Pacific Region”.
Dignitaries attending the meeting include the President of New Caledonia, Harold Martin, the Deputy Prime Minister of Vanuatu, Moana Carcasses, and the Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, Henry Puna.
Matters to be discussed at the meeting include the tabling of the Pacific Cruise Tourism Development Strategy 2015 – 2019, SPTO constitution and the advocacy role played by SPTO in the region.
Policies will be discussed to work towards boosting tourism development in the region.
