How can ocean-based tourism support a truly sustainable blue economy in the Pacific? Join Amelia Fa’otusia as she shares fresh insights from her PhD research.
Join Amelia Fa’otusia for her pre-submission seminar where she will present the findings and contributions of her doctoral project on the blue economy and its implications for ocean-based tourism in the Pacific region. As ocean-based economies, Pacific nations advanced the blue economy concept in their engagements at the 2012 United Nations Sustainable Development Conference. Tonga, ‘Aotearoa New Zealand, and Fiji are in the process of finetuning their respective national blue economy frameworks, policies, and strategies for sustainable ocean management and development. These documents aim to contextualize the blue economy for each national setting in support of meaningful sustainable development outcomes that align with ocean-orientation, equity, and sustainability goals.
Tourism is a significant ocean-based economic sector in each of Tonga, ‘Aotearoa New Zealand, and Fiji, and Amelia’s research considers how and whether ocean-based tourism (particularly cetacean/whale tourism) can fulfill the objectives of a sustainable blue economy. Amelia’s project reflects on key questions including: What is the role of culture and local knowledge in defining the blue economy for Pacific countries? How can ocean-based tourism advance community-based marine conservation and development outcomes? And, what are the opportunities and challenges that the blue economy presents for tourism in the Pacific?
Event Speakers
Amelia Fa'otusia
Amelia is a PhD candidate with the Department of Pacific Affairs. Prior to her candidacy this year, she undertook post graduate studies with ANU’s Crawford School of Public Policy which entailed her completion of a Master’s thesis on the socio-economic implications of the blue economy concept on coastal tourism in Tonga.