[6] In 1985 the European Economic Community provided the council with US$2.6 million to establish a joint marketing strategy, promote tourism, and study its impacts.
[9] The treaty was concluded and signed in Apia on 18 October 1999 by the governments of American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, New Caledonia, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
The council's primary functions include monitoring and reviewing SPTO's policies, strategies, work programmes and budgets.
[11] A board of directors that meets about three times annually is responsible for the general administration of SPTO's operational and financial policies.
A Chief Executive, appointed by the Board, carries out the day-to-day administrative functions of SPTO.