The University of the South Pacific (USP) and the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) have formalised a collaboration to create and run the Pacific Tourism Research Institute (PTRI) through a new Memorandum of Understanding. The move is described as a strategic partnership designed to raise the region’s capacity in tourism research, enhance data systems, and accelerate human resource development across Pacific Island nations.
PTRI is envisioned as a regional hub for knowledge generation, capacity building, and innovation. Its aim is to ensure tourism development is sustainable, culturally grounded, and community driven. USP and SPTO will work together on a broad slate of initiatives to inform policy and practice, strengthen tourism data systems for robust analysis and decision-making, and cultivate the next generation of Pacific tourism professionals.
During the signing, SPTO Chief Executive Officer Christopher Cocker highlighted that PTRI embodies the collaborative spirit fostered by the Pacific Tourism Research Cooperation Framework, which was funded by New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The framework’s support is credited with helping pave the way for the PTRI initiative.
This partnership arrives amid a broader push by SPTO to bolster resilience and data-driven planning for the Pacific tourism sector. Related regional efforts include collaborations with the Pacific Catastrophe Risk Insurance Company (PCRIC) to enhance disaster risk financing for tourism operators, including the exploration of a regional disaster and climate resilience insurance scheme. PCRIC has already demonstrated concrete impact, such as payouts to support restoration after climate-related events like Tropical Cyclone Rae, underscoring the value of safety nets in protecting communities and tourism assets.
Additional context
– The PTRI initiative complements ongoing regional work to strengthen tourism policy, data analytics, and workforce development in the face of climate risk and other challenges.
– SPTO’s resilience-focused partnerships, including PCRIC, emphasize a broader strategy to safeguard the Pacific tourism economy and communities that rely on it.
Summary
The pact between USP and SPTO to establish PTRI marks a significant step toward evidence-based policy, enhanced data capabilities, and sustainable, community-focused tourism development across the Pacific Islands. By building a regional hub for research and training, the initiative holds promise for more informed decision-making, stronger local capacity, and resilient tourism growth.
Positive outlook
If effectively implemented, PTRI could help diversify Pacific economies, empower local communities through tailored training and research, and attract investment grounded in robust data and culturally informed practices.
Note
This article reflects transferring knowledge and context from related regional collaborations by SPTO, including resilience and disaster financing efforts, to provide a fuller picture of the region’s proactive stance on sustainable tourism development.
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