Building partnerships
A MEMORANDUM of understanding signed between two major regional organisations will foster a collaborative partnership that will benefit both organisations and their stakeholders.
The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) and Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus Implementation Unit or the PPIU are expected to benefit from knowledge sharing and best partnership experiences under the MoU.
A media release from PPIU yesterday said a key objective of this partnership was that PACER Plus Implementation Unit and SPTO would collaborate to advocate and respond to issues and opportunities that support the development and sustainable growth of the tourism industry in the Pacific.
It said with its extensive knowledge and experience centred in trade and investment aligning itself to the Sustainable Development Goals, PPIU supported Pacific Island countries to implement activities under the PACER Plus Agreement, stimulating economic growth and sustainable development in the Pacific.
PACER Plus Implementation Unit head Roy Lagolago commended the MoU with SPTO, adding this was an important step in a partnership agreement between two major regional organisations in a time when collaboration and sharing of knowledge was more important than ever.
SPTO chief executive Christopher Cocker emphasised the importance of building partnerships to effectively address common challenges.
“We are very excited to work with the PACER Plus Implementation Unit to develop a partnership framework, bringing together our resources and experiences for the benefit of our respective member countries.
“To partner and collaborate with an established regional body like the PPIU is crucial particularly when working towards recovery in the tourism industry post the global pandemic. A collaboration with likeminded partners is critical for SPTO and our member countries to drive tourism’s recovery and ensure resilience in the long run,” said Mr Cocker.