Draft:South Pacific Pocket Guide
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Comment: Some of the sources make no mention of the Pocket Guide so should not be used. Pacific Tourism Association is not an independent reliable source and other sources are what the company says so not useful. In addition, this is written like marketing copy rather than an encyclopedia article. S0091 (talk) 15:07, 27 April 2025 (UTC)
South Pacific Pocket Guide is an online publisher of free travel guide websites covering destinations in the South Pacific.[1]The platform offers travel advice for destinations including Fiji, Samoa, the Cook Islands, Niue, Tonga and New Zealand. It covers topics such as transportation, accommodations, activities and cultural experiences. The guides are designed to assist travellers in planning independent trips and provide information on both well-known and lesser-visited locations.[1]
History
[edit]South Pacific Pocket Guide was founded by Robin and Laura in 2014, who developed the platform based on their travel experiences and research throughout the region. The project began with NZ Pocket Guide [2], formerly BackpackerGuide.NZ, which expanded to become one of the country’s most comprehensive free travel resources.
While under the BackpackerGuide.NZ brand, NZ Pocket Guide also released a YouTube series under the title "New Zealand's Gap Year" in which the presenters undertook 365 days doing 365 activities in New Zealand.[3][4][5][6][7]
Following the success of BackpackerGuide.NZ and its website and YouTube coverage, the guides were re-branded to NZ Pocket Guide under the umbrella publisher, South Pacific Pocket Guide, and additional guides were developed for several South Pacific nations, with the aim of increasing accessibility to travel information in the region.
Coverage
[edit]South Pacific Pocket Guide includes guides for the following destinations:
- NZ Pocket Guide – Covers various aspects of travel in New Zealand, including itineraries, transportation and activities [8].
- Fiji Pocket Guide – Provides travel information for Fiji, including major destinations such as Denarau, the Coral Coast, the Mamanuca Islands, and the Yasawa Islands.
- Samoa Pocket Guide – Covers travel in Upolu and Savai'i, with recommendations for accommodations, activities and cultural experiences.
- Cook Islands Pocket Guide – Focuses on travel within Rarotonga, Aitutaki and the outer islands of the Cook Islands [9].
- Niue Pocket Guide – Provides travel resources for Niue, with information on transport, accommodations and local attractions [10].
- Tonga Pocket Guide – Covers travel to Tongatapu, Vava’u, Ha’apai, and other island groups within Tonga [11].
Content and Approach
[edit]The platform provides free travel advice without requiring subscriptions or payments [12]. Information is structured to cater to different types of travellers, including families and luxury tourists. The guides are based on first-hand research and are regularly updated [13][14].
A key focus of the platform is independent travel, with an emphasis on encouraging exploration beyond major tourist centres. The guides include details on local accommodations, transport options and attractions, along with practical advice on topics such as visas, budgeting, and safety.
Partnerships and Industry Presence
[edit]South Pacific Pocket Guide collaborates with tourism boards and local businesses to provide updated travel information. Fiji Pocket Guide, in particular, has been developed in partnership with Fiji Tourism[13] and Cook Islands Tourism [9], reflecting efforts to enhance independent travel planning resources for visitors.
In addition to travel content, the platform has been involved in initiatives aimed at supporting tourism workforce development and environmental sustainability in the South Pacific. It has hosted seminars and workshops in Niue, Tonga, and the Cook Islands to provide training for local tourism operators, including photography workshops to help businesses improve their online presence [15][16].
As part of sustainability efforts, South Pacific Pocket Guide was involved in an initiative to eliminate plastic straws from restaurants and bars in Niue, aligning with the country's broader environmental goals [17] [18]. The platform has also contributed to tourism-related workforce challenges, including assisting Hawke's Bay Tourism in New Zealand with efforts to address seasonal labour shortages in the apple-picking industry [19].
South Pacific Pocket Guide is a regular sponsor of the South Pacific Tourism Exchange (SPTE), an event hosted by the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), which brings together tourism operators and stakeholders from across the region [20]
The platform has also been involved in discussions around SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) and AI-driven travel planning, aiming to ensure that the Pacific region is represented through modern search and artificial intelligence tools[21]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "South Pacific Pocket Guide". Pacific Tourism Organisation. 2022-09-09. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
- ^ "25 Best New Zealand Travel Blogs & Websites To Follow in 2025". Bloggers Database. 2018-08-01. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
- ^ "Stuff". www.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
- ^ "Stuff". www.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
- ^ "Backpacker guide writer unfazed after fall". NZ Herald. 2017-04-18. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
- ^ "Now calling Turangi home". NZ Herald. 2025-02-02. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
- ^ "Stuff". www.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
- ^ Development, PodBean. "Chatting with NZ's largest online travel guide - Robin Censure | The Tourism Chat Show". destinatenz.podbean.com. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
- ^ a b "Cook Islands launches a free, comprehensive travel guide | Cook Islands". cookislands.travel. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
- ^ Publishing, Promag. "NiuePocketGuide in - TRAVELinc Memo - Your twice a week travel trade magazine". www.travelinc.co.nz. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
- ^ "FAQ". Tonga Tourism. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
- ^ Drekeni, Rusila (2020-03-10). "Cook Islands Tourism Supporting South Pacific Pocket Guide". Pacific Tourism Organisation. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
- ^ a b Tamanilo, Atama (2024-12-11). "Fiji Pocket Guide: The Largest and Most Comprehensive Travel Guide to Fiji Relaunched with 800 Updated Articles". Pacific Tourism Organisation. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
- ^ Tamanilo, Atama (2024-01-31). "Tonga Pocket Guide Announces Major Update with Over 500 Articles". Pacific Tourism Organisation. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
- ^ "Niue Pocket Guide travel enthusiasts hosts photography workshop to help upskill local businesses". Television Niue. 2023-06-23. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
- ^ "Rarotonga businesses gain AI edge at Cook Islands Tourism workshop". Cook Islands News. 2025-03-31. Retrieved 2025-04-06.
- ^ Island, Niue. "Niue Island | Sustainability | Eliminate plastic straws". Niue Island. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
- ^ SPTO (2020-02-12). "Plan to eliminate plastic straws on Pacific island of Niue". Pacific Tourism Organisation. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
- ^ mcdadmin20 (2018-04-09). "Hawke's Bay campaigns to help apple industry". Motorhomes, Caravans & Destinations NZ. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Tamanilo, Atama (2024-02-29). "South Pacific Pocket Guide Announces Sponsorship of SPTE 2024". Pacific Tourism Organisation. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
- ^ Tamanilo, Atama (2025-01-27). "The Future of the South Pacific: A Vision for Tourism's Next Chapter". Pacific Tourism Organisation. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
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