The Pacific Asia Travel Association has signed a landmark agreement with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation.

The deal is designed to enhance the promotion and development of sustainable tourism across a broad range of Pacific island destinations.

A core element of the memorandum of understanding is tourism associated data that embraces accurate figures for international arrivals to each member nation of the SPTO.

“This is an exciting collaboration for both parties.

“We continue to encourage tourists to visit lesser-known destinations and we are looking forward to working with SPTO in promoting further the importance of sustainable tourism development,” says PATA chief executive Mario Hardy.

“There are endless possibilities for leisure, adventure and cultural tourism throughout the South Pacific and our partnership with the SPTO will raise awareness about these destinations in many influential source markets.”

PATA has granted the South Pacific Tourism Organisation special access to the Association’s online data platform known as PATAmPower.

In return, the SPTO will be encouraging destinations to provide all relevant statistical informal to enable PATA’s Strategic Intelligence Centre to provide analysis of trends and accurate, long-term forecasts.

SPTO chief executive Christopher Cocker added: “SPTO is excited to have established a relationship with PATA.

“We have a common goal of promoting the Pacific Islands and providing our respective members with benefits and services which will be enriched if we, as regional tourism bodies and associations, share our expertise and experience, and work together.

“I’m looking forward to the exciting year that is before us when we will collaborate closely with PATA for our Pacific islands.”