Last month, Pacific Trade Invest (PTI) Australia bolstered its successful Digital Tourism Program by announcing a significant expansion of participation places in Vanuatu, and delivering an Advanced Digital Tourism Workshop in Tonga. This highly sought after program remains a focal point of PTI Australia’s long-term services, designed to better connect Pacific businesses with international markets.
The Digital Tourism Program works directly with tourism businesses, including both accommodation and activity providers, to establish and maintain strong digital assets that increase audience reach, visibility and direct online bookings. This includes funding website development and hosting costs as well as implementing integrated booking systems, payment gateways and property management functionalities. In 2024, the program facilitated A$73,938,343 worth of online bookings across the Blue Pacific, a steady increase on 2023 reporting year.
On Monday 10 March, at Vanuatu-Australia Business Week’s Tourism Workshop, Tim Martin, PTI Australia’s Trade Commissioner, announced that PTI Australia will be offering an additional 10 Vanuatu-based operators the opportunity to participate in the program. With 11 Vanuatu-based operators currently taking part, this initiative seeks to nearly double participation, as a contribution to the Vanuatu Government’s plan for earthquake recovery.
On Wednesday 26 March, PTI Australia delivered the Advanced Digital Tourism Workshop in Fangaloto, Tonga, in collaboration with the Tonga Tourism Authority Board. The full-day, face-to-face workshop supported 43 participants by providing them with strategies to strengthen their websites and social media activities, and digital tools, as well as an understanding of how to make the best use of Google My Business, Google Free Links, and Google Hotel Ads.
Martin said that digital literacy and connection is central to commercial success on the global stage, and PTI Australia is pleased to support Pacific tourism operators build those skills and tangible mechanisms.
“We believe that digital infrastructure is a central component of modern business and is essential when targeting international markets. We are proud to join the Pacific tourism industry on the journey towards getting online, getting optimised, and getting independent payment avenues up and operational. We are excited to continue to build this program out, bring more people on board, and learn more about the ever-changing digital solutions, alongside our clients.”
More information on PTI Australia’s Digital Tourism Program is available here.
