Government lowers advice level for Solomon Islands

The Australian Government has reviewed its advisory for travellers visiting the Solomon Islands, changing its warning level to ‘exercise normal safety precautions’.

Commenting on the development in Honiara, Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Dr Lachlan Strahan said he hopes revised travel advice will encourage more Aussies to take advantage of the Solomon Islands’ untapped tourism potential.

“I have visited all nine provinces, enjoying the amazing coral reefs, mountains, beaches, biodiversity, cultural diversity and history of Solomon Islands,” Dr Strahan said.

“With borders open, now is the time to continue to build up the tourism industry. Australia stands ready to support the sector, alongside the Solomon Islands Government and other development partners.”

Tourism Solomon’s acting CEO, Dagnal Dereveke said the news could not have come at a better time as the national tourism office begins ramping up its efforts to reclaim its share of the Australian market.

“This decision will have very positive impact in re-establishing visitor confidence in the Solomon Islands as a travel destination,” Dereveke said.

Prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, which saw the Solomon Islands closed off from the world for more than 800 days, Australian arrivals represented close on 45 per cent of its overall annual international visitor intake.

The Solomon Islands recently dropped its pre-departure testing requirement for incoming travellers, however, all travellers intending to visit the destination will still be required to provide proof of full vaccination at check-in and on arrival into the country.

“This is more good news on top of more good news,” Dereveke said.

“We aren’t wasting any time, pulling out all the stops to get our Solomon Islands tourism industry right back on track and in the forefront of travel agents’ and visitors’ minds as quickly as possible.

“We are very confident with effort, good marketing and profile rebuild we can get back to where we were before the pandemic in relatively short time, especially with the Australian summer school holidays fast approaching.”

Featured image: Oravae Cottage, Gizo, Western Province (supplied)

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Dagnal Dereveke Lachlan Strahan smartraveller The Solomon Islands Tourism Solomon