Pacific tourism organisations have been given a new regional action plan and practical tools to strengthen gender equality, support women’s economic participation and improve inclusion across the tourism industry.
The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) launched the Pacific Gender and Inclusive Tourism Action Plan (GITAP) and Toolkit 2026–2030 at the Development Partners Dialogue in Honiara, Solomon Islands.
The initiative aims to help National Tourism Organisations (NTOs) integrate gender equality and inclusion into tourism policies, planning and investment decisions.
The toolkit provides resources including data systems, policy templates and guidance to help tourism organisations identify gaps, monitor progress and develop more inclusive programmes.
SPTO said the action plan was informed by findings from the Pacific Regional Gender Audit and developed with technical support from the Asian Development Bank’s Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI).
The plan identifies four priority areas: data, monitoring and advocacy; inclusive tourism policy and planning; women’s economic empowerment and private sector engagement; and institutional commitments, including human resources and organisational culture.
The first five resources developed under the toolkit are a Gender Audit Workbook, Inclusion Data Template, Action Plan Template, User Guide and Inclusive Employer Checklist.
Chair of the SPTO Sustainable Tourism Board Sub-Committee and Cook Islands Tourism chief executive Karla Eggelton said the plan marked an important step towards embedding gender equality and inclusion in Pacific tourism development.
“This plan is a milestone for our region, embedding inclusivity and equity into policies and programmes across Pacific tourism,” Eggelton said.
She acknowledged PSDI for its funding and technical support in developing the action plan and toolkit.
Eggelton said the initiative translated regional research and consultation into practical measures aligned with the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Policy Framework 2030.
The framework’s goals include thriving and inclusive communities, as well as healthy islands and oceans.
SPTO said the action plan also recognised inclusion as a factor in tourism competitiveness, workforce development, business growth and community resilience.
The initiative aligns with the SPTO Strategic Plan 2025–2029, the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Policy Framework 2030 and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
It is intended to support tourism organisations across the region to incorporate gender equality and inclusion into their policies, operations and long-term planning through to 2030.
