The Japan Tourism Agency held the 1st Japan-Pacific Islands Tourism Senior Officials’ Meeting on February 9th - 10th, 2017 in Okinawa Prefectural Government, co-organized by the Japan Tourism Agency, Okinawa Prefectural Government and the Asia-Pacific Tourism Exchange Center (APTEC). The outline is as follows:
 
1.           Date:    February 9-10, 2017
 
2.           Place:   Okinawa Prefectur tourist spots: Shurijo Castle, Yomitan Village, Onna Village,
　　　　　　　　　　Oceanic Culture Museum, Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
　　　　　　　　　　(9^th: Okinawa Prefectural Government -sponsored technical tour and Welcome reception for the PIC delegates)
　　　　　　　　　　Bankoku Shinryokan
　　　　　　　　　　(10^th: Japan Tourism Agency-sponsored meeting for officials)
 
3.           Participants:      
　　　　　 From Japan:   Kazuo Chujo, Director of International Affairs, Japan Tourism Agency
                        Other:   Japan Tourism Agency, Okinawa Prefectural Government,
                                     Asia-Pacific Tourism Exchange Center (APTEC), UNWTO Regional Support Office for Asia and the Pacific,
                                     Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pacific Islands Centre (PIC),
                                     JICA Okinawa, Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau
 
               From the Pacific Island countries:  senior officials from 13 Pacific Island countries
                                                                       (not including the Solomon Islands) and 
                                                                       one person from the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) (total of 14).
 
4.          Purpose of the Meeting:
　At the meeting, we exchanged information on the present situation and the issues for tourism development in the Pacific Island countries, along with presentations on Japanese tourism policy based on the "A Tourism Vision That Support the Japan of Tomorrow” and tourism measures in Okinawa Prefectural Government.
 
　Also, this year, the United Nations established the “International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development,” and various international conferences with the theme of the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) will be held. We have a shared recognition that we can aim for sustainable sightseeing by minimizing environmental damage caused by natural disasters particular to the Pacific Island countries and tourism.
 
　According to the delegates from the Pacific Island countries who participated in the series of programs such as Okinawa coral reef conservation activities, they were impressed by how elements such as “educational tourism” and “hand-on experience” were incorporated, so that the purpose was not only environmental preservation but also the creation of economy and employment. They also wanted to make sure to implement ideas such as the preservation and utilization of Ryukyu old folk houses .

 
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
 Pacific Island Tourism Senior Officials’ Meeting held at the Bankoku Shinryokan　　　Representative participants of the Pacific Island Tourism Senior Officials' Meeting