Solomon Islands ups their tourism game with introduction of Minimum Standards program

Traditional house in Solomon Islands in the mountains a beautiful summer afternoon.

Tourism Solomons has welcomed the introduction of Minimum Standards and Classification for Tourism Accommodation program.

Josefa ‘Jo’ Tuamoto, Tourism Solomons CEO, described the move, introduced by the Solomon Islands Ministry of Culture & Tourism, as “a major step in the right direction” for the destination’s tourism industry.

Tuamoto said the release of the program was timely in view of the efforts the Solomon Islands has gone to in recent times to increase its profile on the international tourism stage.

“This long-awaited but carefully laid out program will act as a catalyst for the local tourism accommodation sector to take a holistic approach to service excellence,” he said.

“It’s definitely a major step in the right direction for the destination’s tourism industry.”

Officially launched by the Minister for Culture & Tourism, the Hon. Bartholomew Parapolo at Honiara’s Heritage Park Hotel, the main thrust behind the program is to implement what is seen as an essential improvement of standards in the tourism accommodation sector.

TS - Minimum Standards - Minister Parapolo - Savita Nandan - Bjorn Svensson

The Minimum Standards are a set of measurable criteria that outline items and services that must be in place for a tourism accommodation to operate according to internationally recognised standards.

Accommodation providers will be classified into one of eight categories.

Currently, there are 160 accommodation providers operating in the Solomon Islands but only about 10 per cent of these can currently be sold by international wholesalers offering Solomon Islands travel packages.

MCT Director of Tourism, Bunyan Sivoro said while Increased tourism was in the national interest, the main benefactors would eventually be the tourism operators themselves.

“We in the tourism department look forward to this exciting new chapter in the development of our tourism sector,” he said.

Latest News

  • Destinations
  • News

APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures

APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]

  • Cruise
  • Luxury
  • News

Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit

Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]

  • Luxury

Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa

Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]