Air transport is vital to Oceania for both domestic and international markets (Boniface and Cooper, 2009). This is mainly due to the vast distances to and within the region, as well as the decreasing cost of air travel. However, lack of inter-line agreements between the various national airlines adds to the cost (Boniface and Cooper, 2009:529). The air transport network in Oceania consists of a patchwork of alliances, feeder routes and hubs (Cooper and Hall, 2005:321), although the level of development varies between countries.
Australia and New Zealand’s road infrastructure is well developed (Boniface and Cooper, 2009), with car travel being the most common form of transport, alongside air travel for domestic tourism (TRA, 2013). The two countries’ transport network is well-developed, linking various modes of transport, making it easy and relatively inexpensive for tourists (Cooper and Hall, 2005:139).
Most of the Pacific islands rely on air transport due to their geographical position, however the cost and reliability of these services varies. For example American Samoa has regular and reliable inter-island transport, while Tuvalu’s lacking transport infrastructure is of poor quality, greatly diminishing accessibility (Cooper and Hall, 2005:177,265).
Sea services also vary: New Caledonia and the Fiji islands have well developed sea networks, catering for cruise ships and boats, suitable for inter-island travel (Cooper and Hall, 2005). On the other hand Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands’ sea services are almost non-existent. Car hire, taxis and buses are readily available for tourists in many regions, providing inexpensive and efficient transportation. Rail transport, with the exception of New Zealand and Australia, is insignificant, mainly used for cargo (Cooper and Hall, 2005).
Infrastructure requires major investment in order to support and allow tourism to grow. Some island states’ poor transport infrastructure inhibits the growth of tourism. Moreover, the distance from major tourist-generating countries of the Northern Hemisphere prevents the region from becoming a major holiday destination (Boniface and Cooper, 2009:533). Due to its geographical position, small island states must invest in infrastructure, particularly air transportation in order to attract more international arrivals.