Developing a transformative tourism model for the Pacific Islands
In Pacific Island contexts, this Australian Research Council funded project (2022-2025) aims to develop with our in-country partners, and disseminate through our regional partners, alternative models of tourism that balance economic, social and environmental objectives. In so doing, this outreach project expects to co-create new knowledge in tourism and sustainable development by drawing on different types of Indigenous knowledge shared amongst project partners, while advancing methods of research applicable to diverse stakeholders and settings. Expected outcomes include an enduring Community of Practice, authentic and impactful capacity building for our project partners and a suite of tools, guides and policy briefs for those seeking to promote tourism that enables genuine sustainable development.
This project supports holistic wellbeing through tourism as a lever for genuine sustainable development and land management. It involves collaborating “with” Pacific partner organisations through a co-design process. Through the Community of Practice, existing and new networks within and across destinations will be developed and strengthened.
ARC grant number: LP200200669
Sustainable Development Goals
Griffith University is committed to advancing sustainable development through comprehensive initiatives that promote economic prosperity, social inclusion, environmental sustainability and good governance for all.
Project partners
The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO)
The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) represents tourism in 20 South Pacific island countries. SPTO’s work goes beyond marketing of the region with the endorsement of the SDGs in 2015 and the goal to develop capacity of Governments and the private sector for sustainable tourism.
The Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP)
The Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) represents 21 Pacific island member countries and territories and 5 metropolitan countries, and is charged with protecting and managing the environment and natural resources of the Pacific.
The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy is a global environmental non-profit organisation working to create a world where people and nature can thrive.
Agape in Action
Agape in Action is committed to nurturing the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of children and families living in extreme poverty, one child, one family, one community at a time.
The Vatuvara Foundation
The Vatuvara Foundation is a charitable organisation registered under the Fiji Charitable Trusts Act. The Foundation is committed to protect Fiji’s ocean, empower local communities and inspire young ocean advocates.
Mamanuca Environment Society (MES)
Mamanuca Environment Society (MES) is committed to protecting the marine and terrestrial environment of the Mamanuca Islands. MES addresses environmental issues through projects covering education and awareness creation, conservation, restoration, management and monitoring.
Te Ipukarea Society
Te Ipukarea Society encourages innovative, proactive and positive outcomes to environmental problems, by working with individuals, families, community organizations, private sector and government.
Kōrero O Te `Ōrau
Kōrero O Te `Ōrau consists of Cook Islanders who are passionate about protecting the culture, environment and natural resources of the nation. Kōrero o te `Ōrau in Cook Islands’ Māori translates to "knowledge of the sky, land, and sea".
Project outputs
Practitioner Note – Community priorities for the future of tourism in the Mamanuca Islands (695 kb)
Practitioner Note - Community priorities for the future of tourism on Rarotonga (721 kb)
Practitioner Note - Community priorities for the future of tourism on Aitutaki (596 kb)
Practitioner Note - Community priorities for the future of tourism on Mitiaro (787 kb)
The project team
Professor Chris Fleming
Professor Chris Fleming is Professor of Economics at the Griffith Business School. He teaches, researches, consults and provides public policy advice on the economic determinants of well-being and the sustainable management of the world around us. Chris has worked as a Senior Consultant, as well as a Senior Advisor within the Sustainable Development Policy Group of the New Zealand Ministry for the Environment.
Professor Susanne Becken
Professor Susanne Becken is Professor of Sustainable Tourism at the Griffith Business School, a Vice Chancellor Research Fellow at the University of Surrey, and a member of several industry advisory boards. She has published widely on resource use, aviation, risk, behaviour and climate change. She is a Fellow of the International Academy of the Study of Tourism, and a recipient of the UNWTO Ulysses Award.
Dr Ross Westoby
Dr Ross Westoby is a Research Fellow at the Griffith Institute for Tourism, specialising in the intersection between tourism, livelihoods and climate change. Ross previously played a central role in evaluating fourteen climate change adaptation projects in Vanuatu, has conducted numerous consultancies throughout the Pacific Islands and Torres Strait region, and has worked in research and evaluation for a social justice NGO in Brisbane.
Dr Johanna Loehr
Dr Johanna Loehr is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Griffith Institute for Tourism. Her research focuses on increasing the net benefits tourism creates for the wider system in which it occurs. She conducted her PhD on reducing climate change risk to destinations in Vanuatu. Johanna brings with her years of experience working in sustainable tourism, having completed projects for both governments and the private sector, and is a contributing author to the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report.
Marica Mafi-Stephens
Marica Mafi-Stephens, our Fiji Research Associate, teaches Tourism and Hospitality at the University of the South Pacific (USP). She holds a Master’s degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management and post graduate qualifications from USP. Marica has extensive applied experience in the accommodation and financial sector and her research interests lie in ecotourism, sustainable tourism, human resources management, and culture and heritage.
Jack Nafeali
Jack Nafeali, our Vanuatu Research Associate, is an Indigenous elder from Lonailu on Tanna Island. He was among other roles worked for the Vanuatu Department of Co-operatives and Business Development Services and since 2009 has worked part time at the Kapalpal School (Loanialu Tanna). His experience and local knowledge add great value to the project.
Sieni Tiraa
Sieni Tiraa, our Cook Island Research Associate, is passionate about maximising outcomes of tourism for the Pacific islands and its people. This means benefiting residents, creating thriving societies and nurturing and preserving the environment through the concept of Mana Tiaki. Her education and extensive experience within the Cook Islands tourism sector, both in private and public sector, allows her to contribute towards this personal vision.
Mark Ariki
Mark Ariki is a PhD student on this project. He has a Master of Science from the University of the West Indies (Trinidad and Tobago) specializing in sustainable tourism development planning and management. Mark has extensive industry and academic experience and is passionate about empowering indigenous people. His research interest are sustainable tourism development planning, management and resilience in small islands.
Previous outputs leading up to the project
Resilient destinations and COVID-19 recovery
- The Vanuatu Tourism Adaptation System: a holistic approach to reducing climate risk
- Harmonising climate change adaptation and mitigation: The case of tourist resorts in Fiji
- Leverage points to address climate change risk in destinations
- Pacific Islands tourism during COVID-19: Time for a rethink
- Sustainable tourism after COVID-19 - Insights and recommendations for Asia and the Pacific
Improving inclusive water, sanitation and hygiene
- How can improving inclusive water, sanitation and hygiene enhance Suva and the CoralCoast,Viti Levu, as tourism
- The importance of Inclusive Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for tourists’ hotel choice
- Using Q method to investigate the influence of inclusive water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) on tourists’ hotel choice in Fiji
Climate
- An assessment of community-based adaptation initiatives in the Pacific Islands
- Asia Pacific Viewpoint - Marketplaces as sites for development-adaptation-disaster trifecta
- Cascading loss and loss risk multipliers amid a changing climate in the Pacific Islands
- Exploring climate-driven non-economic loss and damage in the Pacific Islands
- Exploring the multiple benefits of ecosystem-based adaptation in tourism for climate risks and destination well-being
- Women as recovery enablers in the face of disasters in Vanuatu
- Locally led adaptation drivers for appropriate grassroots initiatives
- Lessons for adaptation pathways in the Pacific Islands
- Alternative Entry Points for Adaptation: Examples from Vanuatu
- Assessing how ecosystem-based adaptations to climate change influence community wellbeing: A Vanuatu case study
- Identifying and mitigating risks to completion of small grant climate change adaptation projects: Evidence from the Pacific
- Revealing the dominant discourses of stakeholders towards natural resource management in Port Resolution, Vanuatu, using Q-method
- Challenges and sensitivities in assessing total ecosystem service values: Lessons from Vanuatu for the Pacific
- Social benefit cost analysis of ecosystem-based climate change adaptations: A community-level case study in Tanna Island, Vanuatu