THE BLUE DAYS PROJECT: Blue Eco-Tourism, a sustainable future for the Pacific islands

COASTS : Climate Change in the Pacific

Blue Eco-Tourism, a sustainable future for the Pacific islands

Details Published on 28 May 2015

The Blue Days Project aims to strengthen marine ecotourism in the Pacific islands region, starting with a regional conference hosted in French Polynesia next week from 1 - 5 June.

Combining economic growth, a respect for natural resources and Oceania culture is at the core of the Blue Days Project that will see more than 50 delegates, practitioners and experts come together for a regional conference aimed at providing advice and guidance to the South Pacific Tourism Organisation Ministerial Conference to be held in October.

Feeding stingrays while snorkeling in Moorea,

 French Polynesia is a tourist attraction

"Tourism is one of the major engines of economic growth in the Pacific region, and marine species-oriented ecotourism, an undeniably growing sector, will benefit from structured and sustainable guidelines," said Ms. Pascale Salaun, from the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management Division of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).

"The aim of this is to develop a long-term framework that respects emblematic and vulnerable marine species and local knowledge and traditions but also brings economic benefits for the local communities in their territorial waters."

PacWaste in Action: Emergency Asbestos Clean Up in Fiji.

Through the Blue Days Project, participants will provide input to the growth of marine-based ecotourism in the Pacific islands, based on best international practice.

The three main themes of the conference are:

- Culture and Blue Ecotourism; 
- Blue Ecotourism, science and research; 
- and Structure and Development of Blue Ecotourism. 

To promote discussion and planning, there will be a range of presentations and case studies made by experts, professionals and industry promoters in the areas of marine conservation, biodiversity and ecotourism.

Islands in the Clouds : BioRap - Savaii Island, Samoa.

"This is also an opportunity for SPREP to carry out a mid-term review of the Marine Species 2013 – 2017 regional framework for action. We're very excited by what this conference will bring and the journey ahead for the Blue Days Project," said Ms. Salaun.

The project is co-financed by the Government of French Polynesia, by the Pacific Fund, by SPREP and many partners including GIZ, GIE Tahiti Tourism, and Air Tahiti Nui. DIREN (French Polynesia Environment Direction) and SPREP are coordinating the project and co-organising the event.

For more information please contact Ms. Pascale Salaun at pascales@sprep.org

https://www.sprep.org/

https://www.sprep.org/biodiversity-ecosystems-management/blue-eco-tourism-a-sustainable-future-for-the-pacific-islands