The Times Australia
Small Business News

.

Towards Stronger Tourism and Private Sector Development in the Pacific

  • Written by Alisi Lutu



The South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) today signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MoU) with the Pacific Islands Private Sector Organisation (PIPSO).

SPTO and PIPSO share common interests in developing tourism and private sector growth in the Pacific region and have identified areas where the two organisations can work together to promote and develop a joint strategic way forward in the region.

This partnership is an undertaking between SPTO and PIPSO to work together to promote tourism and private sector development in the South Pacific in a manner that is both sustainable and brings economic growth and social benefits to the region.

Furthermore, the partnership aims to achieve this through combining the resources, networks and experiences of SPTO and PIPSO and at the same time leveraging their respective memberships in the region.

According to PIPSO's newly elected Chairperson Howard Politini, partnerships are extremely important.

“Partnerships hold the highest potential for most efficient resource management, efficiency and broader creativity and innovation especially in the tourism sector which offers visitors to our beautiful Pacific islands a special, enjoyable experience every time they visit,” said Mr Politini.

He added that the diverse need for skills and related commercial activities make the tourism industry a real economic bedrock for the region.

The MoU would ensure;

  • Tourism and private sector development in the region in areas of mutual interests, including, but not limited to policy development, research, marketing, investment, sustainable tourism development (including initiatives on energy efficiency and climate change) and private sector capacity development including that which has an impact on tourism,
  • Establishing the status of the private sector tourism businesses in the region,
  • Development programmes and activities for small and medium enterprise (SME) tourism private sector development in the region
  • Joint innovative opportunities for joint donor funding, project proposals, and private sector membership opportunities, to benefit the members of both organisations.

SPTO's Chairlady Papalii Matatamalii Sonja Hunter stated that SPTO has a long standing working relationship with PIPSO and the partnership will build a stronger tourism and private sector in the region.

“The SPTO has worked with PIPSO in past years and with this MOU we will formalise a partnership that will build stronger tourism and private sector development in the region. Our tourism private sector are the backbone of our industry and the engines of our economies,” said Mrs. Hunter.

She added that it is critical to align programmes and activities for the industry drivers.

“Therefore, it is critical that aligning our programmes and activities for our industry drivers with PIPSO will enhance delivery at a regional and country level. We are excited to partake in this partnership with PIPSO, and look forward to the many mutual benefits for our members in the region,” she said.

Both SPTO and PIPSO through the MoU hope to see sustainable tourism and private sector development in the region.

Property Times

Rubber vs Concrete Wheel Stops: Which is Better for Your Car Park?

When it comes to setting up a car park in Perth, wheel stops are a small feature that make a big difference. From improving driver accuracy to preventing costly damage, the right choice between rubber and concrete wheel stops could save you time, mon...

What Is the Australian Government First Home Buyers Scheme About?

For many Australians, buying a first home can feel like a daunting task—especially with rising property prices, tight lending rules, and the challenge of saving for a deposit. To ease this burden, the Australian Government has introduced a First ...

Flipping vs. Holding: Which Investment Strategy Is Right for You?

Are you wondering whether flipping a property or holding onto it is the better investment strategy? The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all. Both strategies have distinct advantages and risks, and choosing the right one depends on your financial goals, ...

A Guide to Smarter Real Estate Accounting: What You Might Be Overlooking

Real estate accounting can be a complex terrain, even for experienced investors and property managers. From tracking rental income to managing property expenses, the financial intricacies of real estate demand more than just basic bookkeeping. A si...

Food & Dining

Not all processed foods are bad for you. Here’s what you can tell from reading the label

If you follow wellness content on social media or in the news, you’ve probably heard that processed food is not just unhealthy, but can cause serious harm. Eating a diet dominated by highly processed foods means you’re likely to consume more kil...

Italian Street Kitchen: A Nation’s Favourite with Expansion News on Horizon

Successful chef brothers, Enrico and Giulio Marchese, weigh in on their day-to-day at Australian foodie favourite, Italian Street Kitchen - with plans for ‘ambitious expansion’ to be announced in the coming months.  Italian Street Kitchen: A slice o...

Après Skrew: Peanut Butter Whiskey Turns Australia’s Winter Parties Upside Down

This August, winter in Australia is about to get a lot nuttier. Skrewball Whiskey, the cult U.S. peanut butter whiskey that’s taken the world by storm, is bringing its bold brand of chaos to Aussie shores with Après Skrew: a mash-up of alpine energy...

450 people queue for first taste of Pappa Flock’s crispy chicken as first restaurant opens in Queensland

Queenslanders turned out in flocks for the opening of Pappa Flock's first Queensland restaurant, with 450 people lining up to get their hands on the TikTok famous crispy crunchy chicken tenders. The highly anticipated opening comes after months of d...

Business Times

From Farms to Festivals: How Regional NSW Is Repurposing Shipping…

Regional NSW communities are repurposing containers for farms, tourism, and events Farmers and small businesses use them...

Nail it with points: Flybuys members can redeem points for instan…

Flybuys launches new in-store redemption at Bunnings stores across Australia Tuesday 19 August, 2025 – Flybuys, Australia’s ...

Understanding Energy Use Patterns by Season

Australia’s climate changes noticeably across the year. These seasonal changes don’t just affect what we wear or how we trave...

The Times Features

Wedding Photography Trends You Need to Know (Before You Regret Your Album)

Your wedding album should be a timeless keepsake, not something you cringe at years later. Trends may come and go, but choosing the right wedding photography approach ensures your ...

Can you say no to your doctor using an AI scribe?

Doctors’ offices were once private. But increasingly, artificial intelligence (AI) scribes (also known as digital scribes) are listening in. These tools can record and trans...

There’s a new vaccine for pneumococcal disease in Australia. Here’s what to know

The Australian government announced last week there’s a new vaccine[1] for pneumococcal disease on the National Immunisation Program for all children. This vaccine replaces pr...

What Makes a Small Group Tour of Italy So Memorable?

Traveling to Italy is on almost every bucket list. From the rolling hills of Tuscany to the sparkling canals of Venice, the country is filled with sights, flavors, and experiences ...

Latest data suggests Australia is overcoming its sugar addiction

Australia is now meeting the World Health Organization’s (WHO) guidelines[1] on sugar, which recommend keeping sugar below 10% of daily energy intake. New data[2] published ...

Do you really need a dental check-up and clean every 6 months?

Just over half of Australian adults[1] saw a dental practitioner in the past 12 months, most commonly for a check-up[2]. But have you been told you should get a check-up and c...