A Pacific Tourism Research Institute (PTRI) was jointly established by South Pacific Tourism Organisation and the University of the South Pacific. The institute will be operationalised by both SPTO and USP.

“This initiative will enhance the skills and knowledge of our graduates, positioning them as leaders in the global tourism landscape and fostering a sustainable future for our Blue Pacific” said USP Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Pal Ahluwalia in announcing the initiative this week.

The PTRI will serve as a regional hub for knowledge generation, capacity building, and innovation. It will ensure that tourism development in the Pacific is sustainable, culturally grounded and community-driven.

Through their partnership, USP and SPTO will collaborate across a broad spectrum of strategic initiatives designed to elevate tourism development in the Pacific.

These include joint research efforts to inform policy and practice, the strengthening of tourism data systems for more robust analysis and decision-making, and targeted capacity building to cultivate the next generation of Pacific tourism professionals.

The CEO of South Pacific Tourism Organization, Mr. Christopher Cocker said that the PTRI is the product of the Pacific Tourism Research Cooperation Framework, supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (NZMFAT).

The PTRI supports the 2050 Strategy, SPTO Strategic Plan (2025-2029), Pacific Sustainable Tourism Policy Framework, and the Pacific Tourism Statistics Strategy, reinforcing institutional capacity, regional cooperation, and availability of context-specific research.