Navigating paradise: Intersection of climate duty and economic growth in tourism

In a dynamic conversation about the future of tourism in the Pacific, leaders emphasise the urgent need to balance economic gains with environmental stewardship.

A recent study by the University of Queensland found that while tourism contributes significantly - nine per cent - to global greenhouse gas emissions, there are promising avenues for the Pacific region to thrive through “responsible tourism”.

The study shows that the Pacific’s economic vitality is linked to its tourism sector. Yet, as climate change escalates, officials recognise the pressing need to address the environmental consequences of this reliance.

Speaking to William Terite on Pacific Mornings, Christopher Cocker, Chief Executive of the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), says the Pacific is stuck between a rock and a hard place over its tourism needs.

He highlighted the region's complexities, saying, “If we look around, we are not rich in resources - we have agriculture, fisheries, and of course we have tourism.”

But he said there was a delicate balance, with popular destinations like Fiji and French Polynesia enjoying substantial economic benefits while many other Pacific nations still strive to see similar outcomes.

To advance this cause, Cocker wants to establish robust, sustainable tourism policies that champion high-quality, low-impact niche tourism offerings rather than traditional mass tourism.

He says this vision aligns with the aspirations of Pacific ministers and member countries of the 2050 Blue Pacific strategy.

“Our ministers and also our member countries said we want responsible tourism moving forward in the next 20 to 30 years,” he said.

Watch Christopher Cocker's full interview below.

“And our leaders have highlighted that through our 2050 Blue Pacific strategy.

“It all comes back to robust, sustainable tourism policies, promoting high quality, low impact tourism into our region, focussing on niche tourism rather than mass tourism.”

Forecasting a sustainable future

The report also found that tourism-related emissions rose from 3.7 gigatonnes (Gt) in 2009 to 5.2 Gt in 2019, with aviation and personal transport being the major contributors.

Associate Professor Ya-Yen Sun from the University of Queensland’s Business School said that if we don’t take urgent and impactful action, emissions could double in just 20 years, jeopardising our commitments under the Paris Agreement.

“This does not comply with the Paris Agreement, which requires the sector to reduce its emissions by more than 10 per cent annually,” Sun said.

“The major drivers behind the increasing emissions are slow technology improvements and a rapid growth in demand. The biggest carbon challenge in tourism is air travel.”

Threatened by erasure from climate change, Tuvalu is creating its digital backups, striving to preserve as much as possible. Photo/BBC.

Cocker suggested a practical solution: implementing an environmental tax on tourists, which fits well with the rising trend towards environmentally responsible tourism.

He added that engaging visitors in activities like coral and tree planting enriches visitors’ experience and nurtures local communities.

“We can use that to our benefit to protect our environment, particularly in our region, which I call the last frontier,” he said.

“In this case, capacity building is really important, not only for the visitors but also for our people.

“At the end of the day, [it’s] partner coordination support. When I say partner, it's the community, development partners, host countries, national tourism offices and private sector industry all working together regarding sustainable destination management.”

Understanding regional challenges

Despite the optimistic outlook and emerging strategies, the Pacific faces significant challenges.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) highlights that air connectivity in the region remains inadequate compared to other parts of the world, and recovery has lacked since the pandemic.

Last year, the IATA reported that Asia-Pacific achieved a “modest” 62 per cent of its pre-pandemic air travel levels - significantly lower than other regions like Africa (104 per cent), Latin America, the Caribbean (97 per cent), and the Middle East (98 per cent), which have seen recovery rates of over 90 per cent.

Cocker said this lack of connectivity is a primary challenge affecting tourism, with Fiji and New Zealand serving as critical entry points.

“Other challenges that we face is the loss of skilled labour. We've seen that a lot post-Covid - losing a lot of skilled labour to other sectors, to the schemes that we have in Australia and New Zealand.”

Fighting climate change together

Cocker noted the profound impacts of climate change on Pacific tourism and added that a global effort was required to mitigate these challenges.

With the threat of rising sea levels and extreme weather events, countries like Tuvalu are taking proactive measures to preserve their rich cultural heritage and unique ecosystems, even creating digital backups to safeguard their legacy.

He said the journey ahead for Pacific tourism is undoubtedly complex but filled with opportunity.

By embracing responsible tourism practices, fostering community collaboration and committing to innovative solutions, the Pacific can chart a sustainable path for its tourism sector.