In a bid to improve Tonga’s tourism capabilities, the Tongan Government ministries, and the Statistics Department are participating in a five-day training organized by the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO). With the support of SPTO, Tonga Tourism Authority, and the Ministry of Tourism, the training focuses on best practices for collecting essential tourism-related data, such as visitor arrivals, expenditure, accommodation occupancy rates, and other relevant indicators. This cross-sectoral approach includes key participants from the Tongan Tourism Authority, Tonga Statistics Department, Ministry of Tourism, the National Reserve Bank of Tonga, and Fiji Airways.
Amidst this training initiative, SPTO’s Pacific Tourism Data Initiative (PTDI) plays a crucial role in gathering and analyzing tourism data to inform decisions for sustainable tourism development. The PTDI also leads the implementation and data collection for the Digital Measurement and Benchmarking Dashboard, which sets standards for marketing and sustainable tourism indicators across the Pacific region.
The PTDI project encompasses ten Pacific Island nations, including Tonga, and aims to support evidence-based planning and decision-making in the tourism sector. Through reports such as the bi-annual International Visitor Survey (IVS), an annual Business Confidence Index (BCI), and an annual Community Attitude Survey (CAS), valuable insights into community awareness and attitudes towards tourism are gained.
Christopher Cocker, CEO of SPTO, highlights the significance of the PTDI as a research project funded by the New Zealand Government, specifically designed to collect and report on tourism information. He also emphasizes the collaborative nature of the workshops, fostering knowledge sharing among participating countries, tourism stakeholders, and international partners. The aim is to exchange best practices, lessons learned, and innovative approaches to tourism data collection and analysis.
These training sessions and collaborative efforts empower local stakeholders, including government agencies, tourism operators, and community organizations, to actively participate in tourism data collection and management processes. SPTO’s commitment to the sustainable development of the Pacific tourism industry includes field visits and collaboration with local partners in countries like Tonga.
Through this collective effort, the foundations of tourism data management are strengthened, positioning the Pacific region for informed and sustainable tourism growth. The collaboration between government bodies, industry stakeholders, and international partners signifies a commitment to advancing the tourism industry in the Pacific for the benefit of all involved.
FAQ:
1. What is the purpose of the training organized by the Pacific Tourism Organisation in Tonga?
The training aims to improve Tonga’s tourism capabilities by providing best practices for collecting essential tourism-related data, such as visitor arrivals, expenditure, accommodation occupancy rates, and other relevant indicators.
2. What is the role of the Pacific Tourism Data Initiative (PTDI)?
The PTDI gathers and analyzes tourism data to inform decisions for sustainable tourism development. It also leads the implementation and data collection for the Digital Measurement and Benchmarking Dashboard, which sets standards for marketing and sustainable tourism indicators across the Pacific region.
3. Which countries are involved in the PTDI project?
The PTDI project includes ten Pacific Island nations, including Tonga.
4. How does the PTDI gain insights into community attitudes towards tourism?
Through reports such as the bi-annual International Visitor Survey (IVS), an annual Business Confidence Index (BCI), and an annual Community Attitude Survey (CAS), valuable insights into community awareness and attitudes towards tourism are gained.
5. Who funds the PTDI research project?
The PTDI research project is funded by the New Zealand Government.
6. What is Christopher Cocker’s role in the PTDI?
Christopher Cocker is the CEO of the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) and highlights the significance of the PTDI as a research project funded by the New Zealand Government. He emphasizes the collaborative nature of the workshops and the aim to exchange best practices, lessons learned, and innovative approaches to tourism data collection and analysis.
Related Links:
– Pacific Tourism Organisation