The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) has launched a landmark ‘This for That’ single-use plastic innovation drive at the South Pacific Tourism Exchange (SPTE) 2026, the region’s premier travel trade event. The campaign, aimed at eliminating single-use plastics from the Pacific tourism industry, was officially launched by the Honourable Viliame Gavoka, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation in Fiji. He delivered a keynote address to a global audience of tourism leaders, buyers, sellers, and stakeholders gathered in Nadi, Fiji yesterday.

This initiative encourages tourism operators and communities to replace single-use plastics, and switch to substitutes as well as reusable, circular, and more sustainable alternatives, safeguarding the region’s pristine natural environment for future generations.

The Pacific Islands, renowned for their breathtaking beauty, are disproportionately impacted by plastic pollution. The tourism industry, a vital economic driver for many island nations, also contributes significantly to the region’s waste management challenges. The ‘This for That’ campaign directly addresses this issue by providing a clear, practical pathway for the tourism sector to become a leader in sustainability.

Christopher Cocker, CEO of Pacific Tourism Organisation says, “the health of our oceans and islands is intrinsically linked to the health of our tourism industry. The ‘This for That’ campaign is a call to action for all of us to take responsibility and make conscious choices. By choosing ‘this’ – a sustainable substitute or reusable alternative – over ‘that’ – a single-use plastic item – we are choosing a more resilient and prosperous future for our Pacific nations.”

The ‘This for That’ campaign invites governments, businesses, and communities across the Pacific to join the movement. It is supported by a comprehensive toolkit for phasing out single-use plastics in Pacific Island countries’ tourism industry, designed to help tourism organisations in implementing a Certification Framework. The toolkit provides practical tools, templates, and guidance to transition to single-use plastic-free operations, with the ambitious long-term goals, aiming for a 100% reduction in SUPs from procurement baselines by 2035.

The initiative is led by SPTO and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), through the Australian Government funded Pacific Ocean Litter Project.

SPREP Director General Sefanaia Nawadra highlighted that initiatives like this show how regional collaboration can translate sustainability commitments into practical action. “It is important that tourism as the largest economic sector in our region and its stakeholders continue to show not only economic but also social and environmental leadership and stewardship,” Mr Nawadra said.

By working together, the region can protect its natural assets, enhance its tourism offerings, and build a truly sustainable future for all Pacific peoples. Government, businesses, and individuals across the Pacific are invited to adopt the campaign, access the toolkit, and join the growing movement towards a plastic-free Pacific.

To access the toolkit visit: www.southpacificislands.travel/sustainable/switch/

About SPTO

The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) is a mandated standalone body for tourism in the Pacific region. It represents 21 Pacific Island countries and territories, including: American Samoa, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Rapa Nui, Samoa, Solomon Islands, The Islands of Tahiti, Timor Leste, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna, along with private sector members. SPTOs mission is to promote sustainable tourism development, ensuring economic growth while preserving cultural heritage and the environment. www.southpacificislands.travel

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