Vanuatu’s Adela Issachar reappointed SPTO Deputy Chairperson

The General Manager of Vanuatu Tourism Office, Adela Issachar has been reappointed Deputy Chairperson of the South Pacific Tourism Organisation.

SPTO Chief Executive Officer, Christopher Cocker said that the Board of Directors welcomed the reappointment of Ms. Issachar and her wealth of experience in the tourism industry.

“Our Board of Directors are delighted to have Ms. Issachar back as the Deputy Chairperson as she brings a wealth of experience from the Vanuatu tourism sector in her role as General Manager of Vanuatu Tourism Office,” said Mr Cocker.  The Deputy Chairperson is elected every year.

Issachar’s reappointment was made by the SPTO Board of Directors meeting in Adelaide, Australia about a fortnight ago.

The Directors also approved the proposed Sustainable Tourism Partnership with UN Environment; and agreed to provide the Secretariat with their top five national sustainable tourism priorities to inform the development of the project portfolio proposed under the partnership.

“In line with SPTO’s advocacy for sustainable tourism we are looking to assist our member countries with the implementation of their top 5 national sustainable tourism priorities which we hope to accommodate under this partnership,”” added Mr Cocker.

The Board also witnessed the signing of a MOU between Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and SPTO.

“CLIA is the world's largest cruise association and is dedicated to the promotion and growth of the cruise industry. Cruise tourism in the Pacific has steadily grown over the years but there is potential for more growth.”

“We are therefore delighted to formalise our partnership with CLIA which will greatly assist our cruise tourism development efforts going forward,” said SPTO Chief Executive Officer, Chris Cocker.

The Directors also noted the presentation from Fiji on the preparations for the 30th Joint Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for East-Asia and the Pacific (CAP) and the UNWTO Commission for South Asia (CSA) that will be held in Fiji on 18-20 June 2018.

The Board of Directors’ meeting was also attended by three of its five new Tourism Industry Members who brought much-needed private sector insight and input to the meeting. They are

Mr. Robert Skews of Turama Pacific, Cook Islands; Ms. Diana Chinchoi of Tahiti Nui Travel; and Mr. Simon Foo of Air Niugini.

“SPTO is ‘walking the talk’ by increasing private sector representation in her governance structure. I am really honored and pleased that our private sector members attended the meeting as their contribution provides direction and guidance to SPTO, particularly in relation to private sector issues”, said Mr. Cocker.

“SPTO has always emphasized the importance of consultations with our private sector members in driving the tourism industry and our economies forward. I am really glad that we now have five industry members on our Board”, he added.