South Pacific islanders stay afloat despite losing tourists

Although COVID-19 lockdowns severely affected the financial wellbeing of people dependent on tourism, the social, mental and physical well-being...
south pacific islanders tourism

Table of Contents

Share This News

Although COVID-19 lockdowns severely affected the financial wellbeing of people dependent on tourism, the social, mental and physical well-being of South Pacific islanders living in the region’s main tourist destinations actually showed improvements, according to a study.

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) estimates that the drop in international arrivals caused a loss of up to US$2.4 trillion in GDP in 2020 and that it is possible that a similar loss will occur again this year.

The study, published in the Journal of Sustainable Tourism, surveyed people in Samoa, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Cook Islands and Fiji—countries that rely on tourism for between 12.5 and 87 percent of their GDP, according to the South Pacific Tourism Organisation.

Regina Scheyvens, lead author of the study and co-director of the Pacific Research and Policy Centre at Massey University, New Zealand tells SciDev.Net: “We wanted to know what Pacific populations did to adapt since the shutdown due to pandemic and what they are doing to support each other.

“But we also wanted to know what could be done to support them, in terms of governments’ approaches, donors, NGOs and in terms of what private tourism businesses themselves could do.”

Don't Miss Out!

Join The Island Innovation Network!

This occasional newsletter highlights events and stories about innovation in sustainable development for rural, remote and island regions. We want to change the discourse to demonstrate how islandness can be a driver for innovation.

Invalid email address

News

A global media platform with unique insights into island sustainability.​

Content Library

A global media platform with unique insights into island sustainability.​

Find unique and insightful content on island sustainability

In our vast content library you will find original articles, webinars, interviews, past event sessions, island news and much more. Navigate through the categories to find information, get inspired and learn.

Giving visibility to projects worldwide

Our flagship event, the Virtual Island Summit, is one of the biggest events for sustainable development. Every year, it brings together over 10,000 stakeholders from around the world for a week-long virtual event covering every timezone.

Thank you for subscribing!
22-23 May 2024 | Prince Edward Island, Canada

Global Sustainable Islands Summit 2024

Prepare to immerse yourself in this landmark event for the
global island community in 2024!
Live from COP28 - Island of Hope
The Island Innovation Agency Newsletter is a must-read for sustainable business leaders! It delivers a free monthly dose of relevant and valuable business insights, expert advice, downloadable resources, and easy-to-implement ideas for professionals aiming to optimize their results in communication, branding, and networking. By signing up, you will benefit from curated insights for your sustainable brand, exclusive offers, ready-to-use templates and industry news.
Our newsletter on island sustainability is perfect for everyone interested in sustainable development, innovation, and island territories! Every week we compile stories from islands worldwide and highlight commonalities, demonstrating the spectrum of innovation from technology to the arts. Our newsletter brings together globally disparate places and strikes a balance of acknowledging and dealing with critical problems while emphasizing the resourcefulness of isolated communities.