The South Pacific Tourism Expo (SPTE) for 2025 is set to be a significant gathering of tourism operators, with a noticeable increase in interest compared to the previous year. Currently, 78 buyers and 77 sellers have registered for the two-day event scheduled from May 9 to 10, 2025, at the Crowne Plaza in Nadi, Fiji. This is an improvement from last year’s figures, which reported over 60 buyers and 70 sellers.
Christopher Cocker, the Chief Executive Officer of the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), shared positive feedback from last year’s expo in Fiji, noting it was more accessible to member countries and partners from Australia and New Zealand. “Our annual aim is to reach around 80 registered stakeholders, and this year we’re very close,” he remarked.
Registrations have also attracted interest from as far as Europe, North America, and Asia, indicating a growing global appeal. Cocker noted a significant emergence of Chinese tourism operators, with the only notable absence being representatives from South America.
SPTE 2025, themed “Unity in Diversity: Exploring the Pacific’s Hidden Gems,” is expected to draw over 150 international visitors and provide a vibrant platform for sellers from various Pacific island nations to showcase their travel and tourism offerings to a global audience.
With the backing of sponsors like Fiji Airways and Rosie Holidays, this event aims to foster valuable partnerships and promote sustainable tourism, ensuring that the beauty and cultural heritage of the Pacific region remain revered and preserved.
The proactive response in registrations hints at a rejuvenated interest in Pacific tourism, suggesting optimism for growth and collaboration in the sector as it continues to recover and evolve post-pandemic. The event promises more than business; it is set to highlight cultural exchange and build lasting relationships among tourism stakeholders.
This development is a hopeful indication of a thriving tourism landscape in the Pacific, signaling a collaborative effort towards recovery, sustainability, and growth in the industry’s future.
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