The 26th Council of Ministers of Tourism Meeting encouraged members to continue partnership in the spirit of regionalism and pursue the sustainable development of the tourism sector as it is an important source of employment and economic development for the region.

Tonga represented by Deputy Director for Tourism Sione Moala joined Ministers from Cook Islands, Kiribati, PNG, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, French Polynesia, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and representatives from American Samoa, Fiji, Nauru on 12 October.

A communiqué issued commended the South Pacific Tourism Organisation's advocacy efforts and activities undertaken at regional and international levels, especially, in participation at high-level regional meetings and its collaborative work with donors and development partners.

The meeting held in the Cook Islands also noted initiatives taken to develop SPTO brand development and strategy.

Ministers also recognised that member governments are at various stages of the development of national sustainable tourism policies and plans and commended the efforts of those who have launched high-level policy documents in the area of sustainable tourism. It also approved the 2017 Work Plan and Budget.

Vanuatu will host the next meeting for the Tourism Ministers.