South Pacific dot travel oversees the industry’s interests in 15 Pacific countries.
The organization admits the next 12 months will be tough as there are signs that the financial meltdown is affecting tourism.
Air New Zealand suffered a drop in profit of nearly 80 percent, blaming fuel costs and declining passenger numbers.
Fledgling carrier SkyAirWorld has cut its services to the region and Tahiti’s tourism minister has voiced concern over the decline in cruise ships operating from there.
South Pacific dot Travel’s chief executive Tony Everitt said there has been a fall off in numbers from the northern hemisphere.
However, Australians and New Zealanders are still holidaying in the region.
“2009 is going to be a challenging year, the tourism industry has to be realistic about that,” said Everitt.
For the past decade growth annually has averaged around 4 percent.
