Tourism is a key driver of economic growth in many Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS), contributing significantly to GDP, employment and export earnings. However, increasing tourism activity also places pressure on fragile ecosystems, infrastructure and public services. Well-designed tourism taxes, such as visitor levies, accommodation taxes and activity-based charges, offer an opportunity to convert tourism growth into sustainable financing for climate resilience, environmental protection and inclusive development. Their effectiveness depends on transparent governance, administrative feasibility and clear links between revenues and community or environmental benefits.

In this context, the Subregional Office for the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is convening an Expert Group Meeting to review a benchmarking study on sustainable tourism taxation in Pacific SIDS. The meeting will present and validate the study’s findings and gather expert feedback on its policy relevance and recommendations. Bringing together policymakers, researchers and tourism industry representatives, the discussion will focus on strengthening tourism taxation frameworks and exploring their role in financing sustainable tourism, climate resilience and gender-inclusive development in the region.