NEW OPPORTUNITIES IN THE AGRITOURISM SECTOR IN THE PACIFIC 

Port-Vila, Vanuatu, 18th October 2017, 14h00-17h30
Melanesian Hotel, Room The Melanesian, Port Vila, Vanuatu

Organised by the Government of Vanuatu , PIPSO, SPTO, IFAD and CTA

 In the context of the 1st Pacific Week of Agriculture

Organised by the Government of Vanuatu , PIPSO, SPTO, IFAD and CTA

Since 2014, CTA, PIPSO and key partners in the Pacific region have been highlighting the potential of tourism markets for local farmers and other value chain actors. A special focus is put into strengthening agritourism at the 1st Pacific Week of Agriculture organised by Vanuatu on 16-20th October 2017. In this context, PIPSO, SPTO, CTA, IFAD and other partners will organise:

  • A focused agritourism workshop to share lessons learned and take stock on progress made in serving tourism markets in selected countries to be held on 18th October (14:00-17:30).
  • A chefs training session. As part of joint SPTO/PIPSO/CTA efforts to promote food tourism in the Pacific region, support Pacific cuisine branding and enhance local chef’s skills in sourcing locally, we will also organise a two day chefs training on 19-20th October 2017.

The workshop will share best practices in policy and agribusiness development in the agri-tourism supply chain by some countries and will analyse the support needed to move this agenda forward.

The panel discussion will feature views, experiences and recommendations by policy-makers from agriculture and tourism, entrepreneurs and representatives of the hospitality sector. These will centre on (i) cross-sectoral policies needed to tap into tourism markets; (ii) successful local businesses which have innovated to meet demands in quality, consistency and product development; (iii) tourism sector expectations, and needs from farmers and agribusiness; and (iv) the role of chefs in sourcing locally and promoting local cuisine in hotel menus.

The discussion will bring input into the regional strategy.

Updates

– Agritourism Talanoa Experience Brings Chefs, Farmers and Businesses Together (SPTO; March 2019)

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Programme and Background Note 

Biodata

Photos

Pacific Week of Agriculture Agritourism Recommendations to Pacific Ministers of Agriculture

Agritourism Recommendations to Pacific Ministers of Tourism 

Learn More:

Chefs for Development (Chefs4Dev) http://chefs4dev.org/

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14:00-14:20 Introductory remarks
Benjamin Shing, Acting Director General for Agriculture, Vanuatu Ministry of Agriculture; Alisi Tuqa, Acting CEO,PIPSO; Chris Cocker, CEO, South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO); Ron Hartman, Country Director, IFAD South East Asia and the Pacific Sub-Regional Office; Michael Hailu, Director, CTA.

14:20-14:25 Context and objectives

14:25-15:25 Effective Agritourism Policy Development
This session will feature the progress made in establishing a policy framework on agritourism and the concrete steps adopted by some countries in the Pacific.
Moderator: Vili Caniogo, Adviser Intra APP Policy Program, SPC

– Samoa progress in agritourism strategy
Tilafono David Hunter, Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.Tai Matatumua, Policy and Planning, Ministry of Agriculture [presentation] and Suifua Faamatuainu, Manager, Planning & Development, Samoa Tourism Authority [presentation]
– Opportunities in agritourism: Perspective from The Solomon Islands
Andrew Nihopara, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism [presentation]
– New opportunities in the agritourism sector for Fiji
Uraia Waibuta, Deputy Secretary for Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Fiji [presentation]
– Fiji: Setting Up Collection Centres to improve regularity of supply
Savenaca Cakacaka Waqainabete, Business Development Analyst, Joes Farm, Fiji  [presentation]
Discussion

15:25-15:40 Coffee break

15:40-16:40 Building supply and demand in the agritourism sector
This session will share field experiences from the private sector in capturing the opportunities in the tourism market and lessons learned in expanding local sourcing and promoting local cuisine
Moderator: Mereia Volavola, Consultant in agribusiness

– Promoting food tourism and strengthening chef’s skills across the Pacific
Chris Cocker, CEO, South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) [presentation]
– Linking farmers to the tourism market and promoting organic food
Alberta Vitale, Associate Director, WIBDI, Samoa [presentation]
– Promoting local food and cuisine: successes and way forward
Chef Horace Evans, Home Café, Samoan Culinary Association
– Strengthening the supply capacity in quality and branding
Terry Adlington, Private sector cluster, Vanuatu
Discussion

16:40-17:00 Elements for a regional strategy
Mereia Volavola, Consultant in agribusiness

17:00-17:10 Online value chain platform: input from the agritourism sector
Alisi Tuqa, Acting CEO, PIPSO

17:10-17:20 Summary by the Moderator
17:20-17:30 Closing Remarks