United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in collaboration with SPTO organized a seminar on Sustainable Development of Ecotourism in Pacific Island Countries. The seminar was held on 17th and 18th October, 2001 at the Trade Winds Hotel in Suva, Fiji.

The objective of the seminar was to provide a regional forum to assist targeted Pacific Island countries to enhance their understanding of the issues relevant to the sustainable development of ecotourism, as well as to facilitate the formulation of national and regional strategies and subsequent actions, including discussions on the formulation of the Pacific Ecotourism Association.

The 1st day of the seminar commenced with an overview presentation on Ecotourism and Pacific Island countries followed by presentations from participants on their country perspectives on ecotourism. The 2nd day was be devoted to technical presentations of major issues relating to sustainable development of ecotourism with examples from other regions provided.

Following are the some of the papers presented at the seminar:

Strategies for Developing Ecotourism in Pacific Island Countries

Ecotourism and the Pacific Islands Environment - Impacts, Potential and Implications for Management

Promotion of Barrier-Free Tourism for People with Disabilities in the Asian and Pacific Region

Promotion of Co-operation in Human Resources Development in the Tourism Sector through the ESCAP Network of Asia-Pacific Education and Training Institutes in Tourism (APETIT)

American Samoa - Country Perspective on Ecotourism

Solomon Islands - Country Perspective on Ecotourism

Samoa - Country Perspective on Ecotourism

Ecotourism Development of the Republic of Korea

For further information on the seminar email Rosemary Taufatofua, SPTO Co-ordinator at: rtaufatofua@spto.org.