Samoa Leading the Blue Pacific: Revolutionizing Sustainable Tourism through STEP 2 and POLP Initiatives

FromFebruary 9 to 13, 2026, Samoa became a hub of collaborative innovation. Experts from the SPTO joined forces with the STA, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) to conduct a series of intensive workshops and field consultations.

The mission spanned the two main islands—Savai’iandUpolu—engaging a massive cross-section of the industry. From the owners of traditional beach fales to luxury resort managers and government regulators, the goal was singular: to modernize theSamoa Accommodation Standards Programme.

Why Now? The Need for Modernization

Samoa’s current accommodation standards have been in place since 2005, with the last minor refresh occurring in 2019. However, the world of travel has changed. Today’s travelers demand more than just a clean room; they seek “Green Gold”—destinations that actively protect their environment and uplift their communities.

STEP 2 (Sustainable Tourism Enhancement in the Pacific)is the vehicle for this change. Building on the scoping work completed in 2025, Phase 2 is about action. It focuses on:

• Resource Efficiency: Teaching operators how to manage water and energy as precious assets.
• Circular Economy: Shifting from a “take-make-waste” mindset to one where resources are reused and repurposed.
• Inclusivity: Ensuring that tourism benefits everyone, including those on remote islands like Manono Island.

POLP: The War on Single-Use Plastics

Perhaps the most visible change for future visitors will be the results of thePacific Ocean Litter Project (POLP). Funded by the Australian Government and implemented by SPREP, POLP is integrating plastic reduction directly into the official certification for hotels.

In 2026, staying in a certified Samoan hotel will increasingly mean:

1. Zero Single-Use Plastic Bottles: Replacing PET bottles with refillable glass or stainless steel alternatives.
2. Smart Bin Liners: Phasing out plastic bags in favor of biodegradable or reusable options.
3. Sustainable Toiletries: Moving away from miniature plastic bottles to bulk dispensers or eco-friendly solid bars.

“Integrating single-use plastic reduction into broader tourism standards provides operators with practical and streamlined pathways to improve sustainability,” notedChristopher Cocker, CEO of SPTO. This isn’t a suggestion—it’s becoming a benchmark for competition on the global stage.

Humanizing the Transition: Voices from Savai’i and Upolu

The heart of this initiative isn’t found in a policy document, but in the community workshops. In Savai’i, local operators shared the challenges of sourcing eco-friendly alternatives on a remote island. The mission addressed these gaps by identifying opportunities to improve access to reusable products and establishing collective purchasing power.

For a local beach fale owner, these standards aren’t just about “going green”—they are about protecting theirMeasina(treasures). When the ocean is clean and the culture is respected, visitors stay longer, spend more, and return more often. This is the definition ofresilient tourism.

A Regional Ripple Effect

Samoa is not acting in isolation. It is one of nine Pacific countries currently establishing or refining these standards. As a pilot country for STEP 2—alongsideFiji, Vanuatu, and Kiribati—Samoa is setting the pace for the entire Blue Pacific Continent.

By aligning national policies with thePacific Sustainable Tourism Policy Framework (PSTPF), Samoa is ensuring that it meets the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) criteria. This makes the islands highly attractive to a new generation of high-value, low-impact travelers from Europe, Australia, and North America.

Looking Ahead: What Travelers Can Expect

As these standards are finalized throughout 2026, travelers to Samoa will notice a subtle but profound shift. The quality of service will be more consistent, the environmental footprint will be smaller, and the connection to the localFa’a Samoa(The Samoan Way) will be stronger.

Samoa is proving that “modernization” doesn’t have to mean losing one’s soul. Instead, by embracing STEP 2 and POLP, the nation is polishing its most precious assets to shine even brighter.

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