Samoa is set to host the 28th meeting of the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (S.P.T.O.) Council of Ministers next year.

The decision was made in Vanuatu recently.

Samoa’s proposal was presented by the Chief Executive Officer of the Samoa Tourism Authority, Papali’i  Sonja Hunter. 

 During the meeting in Vanuatu, Regional Ministers of Tourism were reminded that regional collaboration and partnership through learning and exchange will ensure the sustainability of the regional tourism industry. 

The comments were made by the, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism, Trade, Commerce and Ni-Vanuatu Business from Vanuatu, Joe Y. Natuman.

The Ministers were briefed on a number of regional tourism activities including the progress to date on the agri- tourism initiative by the key partners, the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (C.T.A.), S.P.T.O, Pacific Islands Private Sector Organisation (P.I.P.S.O.), International Fund for Agriculture Development (I.F.A.D.) and the Pacific Community (S.P.C.).

 The Ministers expressed their support for planned regional and national activities outlined in the way forward for agritourism development in the Pacific and approved that S.P.T.O. develop proposals and seek funding to support the development and promotion of food tourism in the Pacific. 

The Council of Ministers meeting was preceded by the S.P.T.O. Board of Directors meeting where a number of issues related to S.P.T.O’s policies, activities, work programme and budget were passed. Prior to the Board meeting, a regional marketing meeting was also held to discuss regional tourism marketing efforts

 Other key decisions made in relation to the work of S.P.T.O, include the approval by the Board of Directors of a Terms of Reference for the recruitment of an Aviation Expert to undertake a review of the aviation sector and develop high level strategies and priority regional actions for endorsement by S.P.T.O. members.