SPTO Tourism Toolkit

Small and Medium Tourism Enterprise Training Needs and Awareness (Phase 1)

The first phase of this project involved an evaluation of the training needs of owners and operators of small tourism businesses around the region. Over 50 in-depth interviews conducted in Fiji, Tonga, the Cook Islands and Vanuatu were used to gather background information on training needs and issues. This information was then used to develop a short web survey designed to provide a broader regional feel for training needs and priorities. The information gathered from the surveys in conjunction with a review of existing training material, training needs studies and training institution offerings in the South Pacific region was then used for the development of the tourism training toolkit.

SPTO Tourism Toolkit (Phase 2)

This is an online resource designed to support those who facilitate training workshops for Pacific tourism SME and the small and medium-sized enterprises in the small island nations of the South and Central Pacific. The Toolkit focuses on the need to secure competitive advantage for the industry in terms of value, quality, consistency, presentation and service. The toolkit covers the 7 main training areas identified in the interviews and survey of phase 1. These are: The Tourism Industry; Managing Your Business; Marketing; IT and eCommerce; Greening my Business; Networking and Collaborating; and Culture and a Sense of Place.

Developed by NZTRI, the Toolkit (www.pacifictoolkit.org) was launched at a workshop organised by the South Pacific Tourism Organisation in Fiji on 29 and 30 November 2005 with very enthusiastic feedback. Representatives from a variety of Pacific Nations attended the workshop.