The South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) is the mandated inter-governmental organisation for the tourism sector in the South Pacific.  In the early 1980 ’s an informal association of South Pacific national tourism organisations was formed, which subsequently became the SPTO.  SPTO is an organisation with a membership that substantially represents both the public and private sectors.

Current full government member countries include The Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, New Caledonia, Niue, Papua New Guinea, People's Republic of China, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. Private sector members include over 200 of the major tourism operators in the region.

MISSION STATEMENT AND OBJECTIVES

SPTO ’s mission statement is:

"To be an internationally dynamic and leading tourism organisation in the development of public and private sector tourism businesses in the South Pacific.’

Linked to this, SPTO ’s main objectives are:

• To facilitate the sustainable development of the tourism sector in the South Pacific,

• To strengthen capacity within the region,

• To sustainably plan, market and manage development of the tourism sector.

THE VISION FOR TOURISM

The South Pacific region's Vision for the development of tourism has three main components:

1) The economic benefits from tourism increase, as the region experiences a growing share of world tourism arrivals and increased visitor expenditure, length of stay and income retained within the region.

2) The region’s highly distinctive environment and culture are conserved and tourism is embraced as a means of achieving this.

3) Visitors experience a safe environment and unique hospitality, with awareness on the part of resident populations of the opportunities that tourism presents and, on the part of visitors, an appreciation of the special characteristics of the region.

EXECUTIVE STRUCTURE

The structure of SPTO consists of the Council of Ministers, Board of Directors and Management. SPTO ’s supreme governing body is the Council of Tourism Ministers that meets annually. The Council ’s primary functions include monitoring and reviewing SPTO ’s policies, strategies, work programs and budgets. The Board of Directors, that meets three times annually, is responsible for the general administration of SPTO ’s operational and financial policies. The Board has one representative from each of the member countries and six from the private sector. The Board implements the policies approved by the Council of Ministers.

A Chief Executive, appointed by the Board, carries out the day-to-day administrative functions of SPTO and is supported by a number of professional and administrative staff as well as technical advisors.

DIVISIONAL STRUCTURE

The SPTO has three Divisions within its organisational structure as follows:

Division of Policy, Planning and Research

The Division is responsible for undertaking market research, regional tourism planning and HRD policy, coordination of the Regional Tourism Strategy and development and project management of regional tourism development projects.

The key strategies for the Division are to:

• Improve the sustainability and quality of the regional tourism product through the coordination of regional training initiatives;

• Facilitate sustainable tourism development in the region, with a particular focus on eco- tourism and the development of small and medium sized enterprises.

Division of Marketing, Information and Membership Services

The primary role of the MIMS Division is to co-ordinate and facilitate the marketing and promotion of the South Pacific region as a tourism destination to selected priority markets as well as marketing  the services of the Organisation within the region and overseas. The Division is also responsible for the development of SPTO ’s private sector membership program.

The key strategy for the Division is to:

• Increase visitation and yield to the region through a market led approach to promotion and product development.

Division of Finance and Administration

The Division is responsible for the coordination of SPTO ’s functional budgets as well as for the preparation and maintenance of management accounts, the preparation of annual financial statements, as well as the provision of annual accounts. The Division is also responsible for personnel and the integrity and security of the organisation and its assets.

The key strategy for the Division is to:

• Provide support services that ensure the effective and accountable operation of the

organisation.

SPTO PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

SPTO ’s goal is to develop tourism through the delivery of products and services that satisfy it ’s members needs. The SPTO aims to be a customer focused international organisation, which is self-financing based on the delivery of identified value propositions. In order to achieve this, SPTO has member driven work programs and adopts a commercial approach to the operations and activities of the Organisation. This ensures that the SPTO adds value to the activities of its government and private sector members.

SPTO offers the following range of products and services:

Research

• Regional Statistical Analysis

• NTO Bi Annual Benchmarking Survey

• Quarterly Market Intelligence Summary

• Market Sector Studies

• Membership Weekly Newsletter

Marketing

• Regional Branding

• Overseas Representation

• Travel Show/Road Show Coordination and Facilitation

• Regional Collateral Material

• Regional Tourism Magazine

• Web site development and promotion

• Internet Marketing

• Lead Generation

• Tourism Products Database

• Internet and Marketing Training / Consulting

Membership Services

• Product Promotion via SPTO ’s Website

• Member Discounts

• Photo Library

• Banner Advertising

• Database Marketing

• Regional Tourism Conference

Policy, Planning and HRD

• Training Facilitation and Implementation

• Industry and Stakeholder Workshops

• Bi-annual Regional Tourism Conference

• Regional Tourism Policy and Planning

• Technical Assistance

• Project Management/Implementation Services

• Consultancy Database

• South Pacific Tourism Investment Guide

SPTO – THE FUTURE

SPTO continues to play a pivotal role in the regional co-ordination of the tourism sector. SPTO works closely with both its government members and the private sector to co-ordinate regional marketing, planning, investment and human resource development activities. SPTO is committed to achieve the sustainable growth of the sector as encompassed in the regional Vision for tourism. SPTO will facilitate the achievement of the regional Vision, in partnership with governments, the private sector and the donor community, for the benefit of the people of the South Pacific.

SPTO HEAD OFFICE

Level 3, FNPF Place, Victoria Parade, PO Box 13119, Suva, Fiji Islands.

Tel : (679) 330 4177 Fax (679) 330 1995 email : tourism@spto.org