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Tourism in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) has huge potential for economic growth, cultural heritage preservation and environmental protection. This was the message from Pacific Tourism Organisation CEO Christopher Koch at the online launch of a new report focusing on effective public-private-community partnerships (PPCPs) in tourism for inclusive and sustainable development in SIDS.
The report was prepared in partnership with Compete Caribbean, the Caribbean Tourism Organization, the Pacific Tourism Organization, the African Sustainable Tourism Organization, UN Tourism and the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UNOHRLLS) as part of preparations for the 2024 SIDS Global Business Network Forum. The virtual launch event guided participants through the report findings, case studies and the new framework for the SIDS PPCP.
Mr. Kok stressed that responsible tourism practices protect fragile ecosystems, promote cultural exchange and enrich the lives of tourists and locals. “Sustainability in tourism can only be achieved when local communities are able to actively participate in and benefit from tourism through public-private partnerships. These partnerships leverage the expertise and resources of each sector to create impactful and inclusive initiatives,” he said.
Mr. Coke cited Palau, Fiji, Samoa and Vanuatu as examples, pointing out that community tourism projects in these countries have strengthened the economic strength of local communities while protecting the cultural traditions of local communities and providing tourists with authentic tourism experiences.
Mr. Kok recalled his participation in the Antigua and Barbuda Global Business Network and SIDS Conference, and shared insights from the Pacific Tourism Organization on partnerships to empower local communities and promote sustainable tourism in SIDS. He stressed that this report is very timely, exploring successful models of PPCPs in tourism that accelerate inclusive and sustainable development in SIDS.
Another important aspect highlighted by Mr. Kok was cooperation among SIDS, emphasizing the sharing of knowledge, resources and best practices. This spirit of cooperation was reflected in the recent SIDS-Global Network Forum, which focused on leveraging the Blue Economy to promote sustainable tourism growth in SIDS.
“Together we can address common challenges and seize opportunities to achieve sustainable tourism development,” said Mr. Kok. “Partnerships combine the strengths of public sector policy, private sector investment and community knowledge to achieve sustainable tourism development. By aligning interests and sharing responsibilities, partnerships can ensure that the benefits of tourism are equitably distributed and environmental impacts are minimized.”
“Let us continue to work together to create a future where tourism supports our economies and preserves our unique identity and environment for future generations. The journey towards sustainable tourism in SIDS is a joint effort. It requires us to empower local communities, build strong partnerships and promote solidarity among SIDS.”
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