The Chief Executive Officer of the Samoa Tourism Authority (S.T.A), Papali’i Sonja Hunter, was among leaders from the region who have launched a new regional destination brand ‘South Pacific Islands’ at Asia’s largest professional travel show last week.

The launch was coordinated by the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (S.P.T.O).

 “The launch of the new brand at China International Travel Mart (C.I.T.M) in Shanghai through our newly branded South Pacific Islands booth and V.I.P. cocktail for key travel agents and media helped raise greater awareness of the South Pacific among key stakeholders in the Asian tourism sector and spread the key brand message of Ours is Yours,” said S.P.T.O chief executive officer, Chris Cocker. 

“This should help to solidify an identity for the South Pacific in China and drive increased tourism arrivals from this important emerging market to the Pacific Islands.”

Held yearly in Shanghai or Kunming, C.I.T.M is widely attended by the international travel industry with participants from all sectors including international and domestic tourist organisations, travel agencies, hotels, airlines and related travel companies. 

C.I.T.M is organised by China National Tourism Administration (C.N.T.A), which is a non-Pacific Island member of S.P.T.O. 

C.N.T.A is supported the South Pacific’s participation at C.I.T.M through the provision of eight complimentary booths for national tourism organisations and private sector partners from Samoa, Fiji, French Polynesia, Papua New Guinea, and Vanuatu.

S.P.T.O used the C.I.T.M platform to raise further awareness among Chinese travel agents of its online South Pacific Specialist Chinese training programme.

Prior to C.I.T.M, a VIP luncheon was held in Beijing to present the new brand to top-tier travel agencies and media.

 S.P.T.O is assisted by Pacific Islands Trade & Invest Beijing office and Travel Link Marketing on the events in Beijing and Shanghai.