Indonesia, an archipelagic country lying between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, initiated the First Pacific Exposition themed “Creating a Pacific Momentum” in Auckland, New Zealand, from July 11 to 14, 2019. Countries such as Niue, Nauru, and Kiribati are unlikely to be able to do so, due to lack of infrastructure and geographic isolation, he noted. For example, Fiji, Samoa, and French Polynesia are more easily able to accommodate large numbers of visitors with access via international flights and cruise ships, according to Campbell. However, tourism is limited to countries with the infrastructure to accommodate an increase in visitors. Tourism is also likely to grow due to an increase in international flight routes to the region, said Ian Campbell, WWF Pacific’s Shark Heritage Programme Manager. Tourism is one of the industries that can continually contribute, due to an abundance of natural habitats, such as sandy beaches and a relatively consistent climate. That would mean as much as US$1.8 billion in annual income, and some 128,000 new jobs created, according to the 2016 report released during the annual board meeting of the South Pacific Tourism Organization.
Those are precious assets for these countries which do not have many natural resources to exploit as their income sources.Īmong the best destinations in the Pacific region are Fiji, Cook Islands, Samoa Islands, Palau Islands, and New Caledonia, in addition to Bali in Indonesia, New Zealand and Australia.īy the year 2040, tourism will be one of the most important sectors in the Pacific Islands, if the industry’s growth is managed sustainably, a World Bank report entitled “Pacific Possible: Tourism”, has predicted. Pacific island countries are famous for their beautiful, white sandy beaches, crystal clear water, green mountains, endemic flora and fauna, unique culture and arts as well as friendly people.