20 Sep 2012

Big lift in tourism numbers in Pacific if online marketing embraced

6:26 pm on 20 September 2012

The head of the South Pacific Tourism Organisation says the Pacific region needs to embrace online marketing and learn the tools of the trade before it's too late.

Tourist numbers throughout Pacific Island countries are expected to grow by 19 percent over the next three years to reach 1.8 million visitors but the agency says some operators will need to improve their marketing.

The chief executive of the SPTO, Ilisoni Vuidreketi, says a main contributor to the growth will be the online development of small and medium sized tourism operators through social media and e-marketing.

"So this growth in the use of technology to explore and to find destinations to visit is growing. The Pacific region - if we do not get in and become a part of this, we will be left out."

Mr Vuidreketi says the SPTO is working with tourism operators to help develop their websites.