Tourism in the South Pacific

TDM 458

International Tourism

Ara Pachmayer

Major Characteristics of the Pacific Islands

Many small, island states Isolation - difficult to get to, difficult to get

goods/people in and out European colonization - but not much long term

settlement (unlike Australia and New Zealand) Prone to natural disasters - cyclones,

earthquakes, climate change Political unrest (PNG, Solomon Islands, Fiji,

Tonga)

Pacific Islands

Most are micro-states dependent on tourism Micronesia: Western Pacific, east of

Philippines- Northern Marianas, Marshall Islands, Guam (US acquired from Spain in 1898)

Melanesia: Includes (Papua) New Guinea, Fiji New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands

Polynesia: Tahiti, American Samoa, Easter Island. Receives relatively more tourists

US Territories

Country Area (km2)

Population GDP (per capita)

Cook IslandsFiji

24018,270

21,008 (2003 est)

868,531 (2003 est)

$5,000 (2001 est)

$5,500

Solomon Is. 27,540 509,190 $1,700 (2001 est)

Vanuatu 12,200 199,414 (2003 est) $2,900 (2002 est)

PNG 462,840 5,295,816 (2003 est) $2,100 (2002 est)

Tuvalu 26 11,305 $1,100

Kiribati 811 98,549 $840 (2001 est)

Niue 260 2145 $3,600

French Polynesia 3,660 262,125 (2003 est) $5,000 (2001 est)

Tonga 748 108,141 $2,200

Samoa 2,944 178,173 $5,600

New Caledonia 18,575 210,798 $14,000 (2002 est.)

Demographic Data for the South Pacific

Pacific islands

French Polynesia: Tahiti (Papeete, Moorea, Bora Bora)

Fiji: Former British Colony, two major islands- Vanua Levu and Viti Levu; Capital is Suva; international gateway is Nadi both on Viti Levu; Key markets are Australia and New Zealand; good airline connection to west coast USA (8 hour flight from LAX to Fiji)

Also part of Polynesia are Western Samoa, Tonga, The Cook Islands, Easter Island (which we studied as part of Latin America)

South Pacific Tourism Organization

Regional tourism organization formed by thirteen member countries :

1. Cook Islands 2. Fiji3. French Polynesia (Tahiti) 4. Kiribati5. New Caledonia 6. Niue 7. Papua New Guinea 8. Samoa9. Solomon Islands 10.Tonga11. Tuvalu 12. Vanuatu13. Marshall Islands

Over 80 private sector membersFormed in 1983 – to foster regional cooperation in the

development & promotion of tourism to & within the island nations of the South Pacific

Tourism Arrivals - Key Destinations 2011 Guam - 1.16 million Fiji - 675,000 Northern Mariana - 375,000 (2010) French Polynesia - 163,000 Number of statistics are largely

unreported from year to year making comparisons difficult!

2003 Tourist Arrivals by Source Markets

Developmental Issues

Transportation problems Difficult to get to, difficult to get goods in/out

Specks in the blue Pacific – islands are spread widely over a vast area, isolation, communication

Sustainability Lack of resources to supply influx of tourists

Low population numbers People leave - there are few jobs and it is often easier to

find employment out of the region Inadequate infrastructure

Cruise ships – lack of proper berthing facilities Airlines – restrictions due to length or number of

airstrips Poor Investment potential Not much money for infrastructure development High Leakages due to prevalence of foreign investment

and $ leaving the countries (Fiji – 1990 – 89%)

Other Issues

Competition Similar products

Seasonal Fluctuation

Case Study: Fiji History

Inhabited since 2000 BC – 1st by Polynesians then Melanesians, then indentured servants from India 1800’s

Cannibal past (“cannibal” souvenirs are major sellers) Independence from GB in 1970 Political turmoil last decade (Indo-Fijian, Fijian-Fijian)

Inter-Island Tourism Some islands are developed as all-inclusive resorts

Developing Country Tropical Resorts

Honeymoon tourism, romance tourism Marine ecology

Dive Tourism Cultural- heritage tourism; Village Tourism

Fiji Me

www.fijime.com Diveme Backpackme Romanceme Marryme

Or Remarryme Thrillme

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riDISdG86tc