世界银行-太平洋旅游业的未来（英）-2023.4-122页_19mb

The Future of Pacific Tourism Summary

Core Content

The report "The Future of Pacific Tourism" provides an in-depth analysis of the role of tourism in the economic development of the Pacific Island Countries (PICs), its performance before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, and outlines policy priorities for a more competitive, sustainable, and inclusive tourism sector.

Main Points

• Tourism's Economic Role: Tourism is a critical driver of economic growth in the Pacific, contributing significantly to foreign exchange, employment, tax revenue, and poverty reduction. In 2019, tourism generated USD 2.4 billion in receipts and directly employed about 71,000 people, with additional indirect employment.
• Regional Growth Trends: Over the two decades before the pandemic, tourism arrivals in the PICs grew at an average rate of 3.6% per year, reaching an all-time high of about 2 million arrivals in 2018.
• Poverty Reduction: Tourism has played a vital role in reducing poverty in PICs. A 1% increase in tourism GDP was associated with a 0.68% reduction in poverty in Fiji, 0.074% in Vanuatu, and 0.078% in Kiribati.
• Tax Revenue Contribution: Tourism is an essential source of tax revenue for PIC governments, particularly through sectoral taxes and value-added taxes (VAT) and goods and services taxes (GSTs).
• Impact of COVID-19: The pandemic severely impacted Pacific tourism, with international visitor spending declining by about 81% in 2020 and further drops in 2021. This had significant economic and social consequences, including increased poverty rates in countries like Fiji, Kiribati, and Vanuatu.
• Future Opportunities: Targeting high-value markets, such as luxury, adventure, diving, and cultural tourism, can enhance the economic impact of tourism while reducing environmental and social harms. These markets offer higher spending per visitor and are more sustainable and inclusive.
• Challenges to Development: Several obstacles hinder the expansion of PICs into high-value markets, including uncoordinated governance, limited tourism offerings, inadequate skills, and insufficient resource efficiency and resilience measures.

Key Information

Tourism Growth and Development

• Tourism has been a major economic sector in the PICs, contributing to GDP and employment.
• Before the pandemic, tourism receipts grew at more than 5% annually, reaching USD 2.4 billion in 2019.
• Tourism accounts for more than 10% of GDP in seven of the 11 PICs, with some countries like Fiji and Vanuatu reaching up to 25-35% of GDP.
• Tourism directly and indirectly supports a large number of jobs, with an estimated 88,200 jobs in Fiji alone in 2019.

Economic and Social Impacts

• Tourism is a significant contributor to public revenue, with Fiji generating about FJD 1 billion in tourism-related revenue annually before the pandemic.
• The sector's collapse during the pandemic led to a 81% drop in tourism receipts in 2020 and further decline in 2021, resulting in a significant increase in poverty in some PICs.
• The economic value of tourism extends beyond direct revenue to include indirect contributions from related industries such as agriculture, construction, and manufacturing.

High-Value Markets

• High-value tourism segments include luxury, long-stay, and experiential tourism.
• These segments are driven by unique destinations and experiences, and they tend to spend more and prioritize sustainability.
• Attracting these tourists requires targeted policies, improved marketing, and enhanced tourism offerings.

Obstacles

• Uncoordinated Governance: Lack of coordination in tourism policy and management hinders sector development.
• Limited Offerings: Weak ecosystems of tourism service providers, including micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), limit the sector's potential.
• Skill Shortages: There is a shortage of specialized skills needed to cater to high-value markets.
• Environmental Practices: Many tourism businesses still rely on high-cost and high-impact practices, limiting sustainability.
• Climate Vulnerability: Natural disasters, exacerbated by climate change, pose a significant risk to the tourism sector.

Policy Priorities

• Improving Governance: Strengthening governance and coordination is essential for effective tourism development.
• Refocusing Destination Development: Developing tourism in line with high-value market demands and local strengths.
• Building Human Capital: Investing in vocational training and education to enhance the skills of the tourism workforce.
• Resource Efficiency and Resilience: Mainstreaming sustainable practices and building resilience against climate and natural disaster risks.

Conclusion

The report emphasizes the need for a strategic and sustainable approach to Pacific tourism, particularly in the wake of the pandemic. It highlights the importance of policy reforms, investments in human capital, and the adoption of environmentally friendly practices to ensure the sector's long-term competitiveness and resilience. The future of Pacific tourism lies in leveraging high-value markets and addressing structural challenges to create a more inclusive and sustainable industry.

Key Messages

• Tourism is a vital sector for the economic development of PICs.
• The sector has been significantly affected by the pandemic, leading to economic and social setbacks.
• High-value tourism offers a pathway to greater economic returns and sustainability.
• Addressing governance, skills, and environmental challenges is crucial for the sector's recovery and future growth.
• The report provides a quantitative assessment of tourism's economic impact and outlines actionable policy recommendations.