Promoting High Quality, Sustainable Tourism and Infrastructure Co-operation
Despite the relatively low priority that has been given to tourism in terms of regional donor funding, the sector has been a consistent strong performer generating economic growth.
This was highlighted by South Pacific Tourism Organisation chief executive officer Chris Coker during the Tourism and Infrastructure Investment sub forum of the 3rd China-Pacific Island Countries Economic Development and Co-operation Forum.
Mr Cocker highlighted that the tourism sector’s contribution to the Pacific region was valued at US$3.8 billion (FJD$8.3billion) in 2018. Tourism’s contribution to the region’s Gross Domestic Product was around 11 per cent and the number of Pacific people directly employed by the tourism sector was around 131,000.
The total number of air visitor arrivals into the Pacific was 2.1 million and for cruise arrivals it was one million.
The future looks positive with the World Bank predicting a three per cent annual growth on average in regional tourism, which should have a significant multiplier impact on Pacific island economies.
Chinese market:
The People’s Republic of China has continued to be an important emerging market for SPTO’s 20 Pacific Island government members.
The Chinese market accounted for 5.8 per cent of total air visitor arrivals to the Pacific region in 2018.
It is the fastest growing emerging market in the Pacific and economic opportunities will be tremendous, if growth continues in a sustainable manner.
At present, the direct benefits of tourism vary greatly among the Pacific Islands.
Some countries for example Fiji and Tahiti have burgeoning tourism industries.
Other Pacific Islands attract only a few thousand visitors annually, mainly due to their distance from extra-regional visitor markets, the associated high cost of transportation and a lack of tourism infrastructure and products.
In terms of market trends, global consumers are increasingly demanding quality experiences and value for money.
So in conclusion, the Pacific is well positioned to meet these needs, as it has the ability to offer value for money experiences which is fundamental to competitive advantage.
So all in all if the yield is to increase, then the Pacific needs to ensure that quality experiences are delivered and standards improved across the sector.