Sustainable Tourism Development Strategy sets pathway for recovery

Wallis and Futuna was the third Pacific island nation that reopened to international travel and tourism in July after the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu on July 1^st. Like the other island nations, this border reopening is expected to revive the nation’s tourism sector, which like the rest of the Pacific was hard hit by the pandemic.

The pandemic allowed the island nation to re-evaluate its purpose as a tourism destination and realign its priorities, especially in relation to resilience and sustainability and that COVID-19 and other pandemic threats have become the new normal.

The island nation as part of its efforts has developed and started the implementation of its first Sustainable Tourism Development Strategy for the next five years. This is to ensure the development of the Territory’s tourism sector embarks on a sustainable pathway that will support income and job creation through a sustainable recovery.

Funding for the development of the strategy was made possible through the 12th European Financial Instrument allocation.

This funding is envisaged to also support the setting up of the Wallis and Futuna Tourism Office, planning and product development initiatives, recruitment and capacity development as well as the destination marketing for this emerging tourist destination

ENDS.