SPREP hosted a series of webinars focused on "Transitioning to a post-pandemic Pacific". Highlighting Pacific island and partner voices, stories, and experiences, this webinar series aims to support Pacific post-COVID-19 recovery planning conversations with in-region perspectives on the importance of 'blue and green' components in our planning, from climate change responses to pollution control and sustainability of our precious biodiversity.
The attached slides are from the fourth webinar in the series which focused on the importance of
Environmental Consideration in Sustainable Tourism in the Pacific Island Region.
Despite this situation, the Pacific countries’ efforts on the sustainable development of the tourism sector from the environment point of view should not be undermined. SPREP in partnership with the South Pacific Tourism Organization (SPTO) developed the Environmental Impact Assessment Guidelines for Coastal Tourism Development in Pacific Island Countries and Territories (Coastal Tourism EIA Guidelines) to guide tourism developers towards better environmental planning.
During these challenging times, it is important for the Pacific partners and members to remind each other of the importance of applying their available tools to safeguard the people and environment from the risks and impacts that may arise from poorly executed tourism development.
The Coastal Tourism EIA guidelines are to increase awareness and understanding of the EIA process across the Pacific region’s tourism sector; promote best practice EIA for coastal tourism development; encourage government agencies and tourism developers to comply with national EIA regulatory frameworks and support sustainable and resilient coastal tourism development that protects the environmental, social and cultural assets that provide a foundation for tourism.
With presenters from SPREP, SPTO, (Fijian) Tourism Industry and Government of Samoa (Tourism Authority).
You can access to the webinar video (and other SPREP webinars) via the link
https://www.sprep.org/publications/webinar-series
The webinar also included a discussion session and virtual chat with questions from the audience some of the unanswered questions have been posted to the PNEA Talanoa page for ongoing discussion.