Transcript
Wallis and Futuna is a French territory halfway between Tonga, Tuvalu, Fiji and Samoa.
There are 13,000 people living on the islands with most of the residents in the capital Mata Utu.
Laurianne Verge says the islanders have a vibrant and unique culture and they will want to maintain that while introducing Wallis and Futuna as the Pacific's newest tourist destination.
"We are very proud to show our island and to receive people, receive tourists in our island. It's true, it's good for the economy and everything but for us, the most important thing is to keep our island like this. And our culture is very strong."
She says a recent South Pacific Tourism Organisation mission to the French territory will help the islanders define their tourism marketing strategy.
She says Wallis and Futuna joined the SPTO last year as part of their plan to sustainably increase visitor arrivals.
"We received last two years the Atufrance from France who came and do the study for the tourism. So there are a lot of things they DO they wrote a book for that. So what the chamber want SPTO to come is to give the Pacific view."
SPTO chief executive Christopher Cocker says Wallis and Futuna has the potential to attract visitors due to its unique culture and pristine environment.
Its chair David Vaeafe says they will work closely with the island's stakeholders to define their targets and marketing strategies.
"It's an exciting time for them. There's opportunities there for Wallis and Futuna re-identify what its niches are, how it fits into the bigger scheme of things. Diversity of the region is fantastic because it offers everything from five-star luxuries to off-the-beaten track. And you can do everything in between and Wallis and Futuna fits in to that."
Mr Vaeafe says most of the SPTO members are small island states and there seems to be a demand for those more authentic experiences and untouched destinations.
He also supports the islands' plans to attract the tourists but at the same time maintain their balance with their culture and who they are.
"It is a very delicate line with the current global climate and technology. There's a lot of influence and other factors on development. So I think it's very important that all the players are supporting Wallis and Futuna to ensure that there's a long-term strategy in place to safeguard the cultural and natural aspects of Wallis and Futuna, but also have that economic development."
Laurianne Verge says another focus for Wallis and Futuna is trying to stop their young people from leaving the island seeking better opportunities abroad.
She says it is vital for the island to keep their youth at home because they are the future of Wallis and Futuna.
