Solomon Islands to focus on tourism developments

BTN News
Thursday, 20 October 2016

The Solomon Islands’ minister of Culture and Tourism,  Bartholomew Parapolo, has underlined the priority his government is placing on tourism development and the efforts being taken to facilitate growth, during the recent South Pacific Tourism Organisation Council of ministers of Tourism meeting in the Cook Islands.


One of three high-powered events taking place in Rarotonga – including the Council of ministers meeting, a regional marketing meeting and the SPTO board meeting where the SIVB holds the deputy chair position - minister Parapolo used the opportunity to  reference the emphasis the government is placing on tourism-specific legislation.

This, the minister said, was intended to address the governance of the Solomon Islands' tourism sector and as a result, update the country’s National Tourism Policy, facilitate growth and bring focus to bear on upgrading tourism accommodation and product.

“This strategy includes the implementation of a Solomon Islands Tourism Investment Incentives Package in response to increasing interest from potential investors in both the hotel and product development areas,” said minister Parapolo.


“As part of this new approach the government is also exploring viable options for public private partnerships in the tourism sector and working closely with existing hotel owners to further explore these options which include the introduction of a Minimum Quality Standard for the industry in 2017.”

Making reference to the high cost of air travel to the Solomon Islands, the minister said the government is also considering business cases for a subsidy with the airlines currently serving the destination, aimed at driving leisure visitor numbers up.

The minister also outlined the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau strategic plan for the next five years.

A key component of this, he said, is development of the lucrative cruise sector, which remains a key focal area of the strategy and one which the Ministry is aggressively developing in partnership with Carnival Australia, P&O Cruises and with support from the Australian government.

This partnership, he said, has already begun to yield results with the recent arrival of a P&O vessel for the first time into Gizo and a further vessel expected on 30 October.

The outlook for 2017 too is strong with a further six vessels expected to visit Solomon Islands waters next year.

While in the Cook Islands, the minister and his delegation also held meetings with executives of the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation regarding airline subsidy arrangements they have with Air New Zealand.

Meetings also were held with the Vanuatu delegation to explore possible collaboration in the cruise ship sector.
Minister Parapolo was accompanied to the Cook Islandsby Ministry of Culture & Tourism permanent secretary Andrew Nihopara, SIVB chairman Wilson Ne’e, SIVB ceo Josefa Tuamoto and SIVB marketing manager Freda Unusi.

Pictured (from left to right): SIVB marketing manager,  Freda Unusi; SIVB chairman, Wilson Ne’e; Solomon Islands minister for Culture & Tourism, Bartholomew Parapolo; the prime minister of the Cook Islands,  Henry Tuakeu Puna; Ministry of Culture & Tourism permanent secretary, Andrew Nihoparand SIVB ceo Josefa Tuamoto.

Solomon Islands to focus on tourism developments

BTN News
Thursday, 20 October 2016

The Solomon Islands’ minister of Culture and Tourism,  Bartholomew Parapolo, has underlined the priority his government is placing on tourism development and the efforts being taken to facilitate growth, during the recent South Pacific Tourism Organisation Council of ministers of Tourism meeting in the Cook Islands.


One of three high-powered events taking place in Rarotonga – including the Council of ministers meeting, a regional marketing meeting and the SPTO board meeting where the SIVB holds the deputy chair position - minister Parapolo used the opportunity to  reference the emphasis the government is placing on tourism-specific legislation.

This, the minister said, was intended to address the governance of the Solomon Islands' tourism sector and as a result, update the country’s National Tourism Policy, facilitate growth and bring focus to bear on upgrading tourism accommodation and product.

“This strategy includes the implementation of a Solomon Islands Tourism Investment Incentives Package in response to increasing interest from potential investors in both the hotel and product development areas,” said minister Parapolo.


“As part of this new approach the government is also exploring viable options for public private partnerships in the tourism sector and working closely with existing hotel owners to further explore these options which include the introduction of a Minimum Quality Standard for the industry in 2017.”

Making reference to the high cost of air travel to the Solomon Islands, the minister said the government is also considering business cases for a subsidy with the airlines currently serving the destination, aimed at driving leisure visitor numbers up.

The minister also outlined the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau strategic plan for the next five years.

A key component of this, he said, is development of the lucrative cruise sector, which remains a key focal area of the strategy and one which the Ministry is aggressively developing in partnership with Carnival Australia, P&O Cruises and with support from the Australian government.

This partnership, he said, has already begun to yield results with the recent arrival of a P&O vessel for the first time into Gizo and a further vessel expected on 30 October.

The outlook for 2017 too is strong with a further six vessels expected to visit Solomon Islands waters next year.

While in the Cook Islands, the minister and his delegation also held meetings with executives of the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation regarding airline subsidy arrangements they have with Air New Zealand.

Meetings also were held with the Vanuatu delegation to explore possible collaboration in the cruise ship sector.
Minister Parapolo was accompanied to the Cook Islandsby Ministry of Culture & Tourism permanent secretary Andrew Nihopara, SIVB chairman Wilson Ne’e, SIVB ceo Josefa Tuamoto and SIVB marketing manager Freda Unusi.

Pictured (from left to right): SIVB marketing manager,  Freda Unusi; SIVB chairman, Wilson Ne’e; Solomon Islands minister for Culture & Tourism, Bartholomew Parapolo; the prime minister of the Cook Islands,  Henry Tuakeu Puna; Ministry of Culture & Tourism permanent secretary, Andrew Nihoparand SIVB ceo Josefa Tuamoto.