Solomon Islands tourism minister says investment in sector must “speed up”

Solomon Islands tourism minister says investment in sector must “speed up”
By Travel Weekly


The Minister of Culture and Tourism for the Solomon Islands has called for more support and a greater acceleration of investment in the tourism sector in order for the country to meet its targets.

Opening the Mi Save Solo tourism exchange in Honiara on Thursday, the Hon. Bartholomew Parapolo told attendees about the Solomon Islands government’s desire to enhance tourism beyond the eight per cent of GDP it accounted for in 2018 to a level similar to global trends of 10 to 12 per cent GDP.

“However, for this to happen, investment in the tourism sector needs to be supported and speed up,” he said.

“The quality [of] room supply in the country must increase by 700 to 1,000 rooms within the next five to 10 years. The Tourism Investment Incentives Package must be accessible to set in motion domestic and foreign investments in the tourism sector.”

Parapolo said continued strong marketing activity is also key in helping the Solomon Islands’ sustain the growth its tourism sector has realised in the last two years.

He said Mi Save Solo is part of the country’s integrated approach to match products to markets through a sales and marketing push, with 43 buyers – mostly from Australia, New Zealand Papua New Guinea and the US – rubbing shoulders with 30 sellers, including hotels and resorts, inbound tour operators, airlines and dive operators.

“I hereby make a repeated call for us to focus on quality and not quantity,” Parapolo said.

“Our theme of ‘Measure what Matters’ is significant in that we want to see great tangible returns from Mi Save Solo.”

Latest News

  • Aviation

Low-cost Indian carrier SpiceJet continues to burn cash

It’s not just low-cost Australian carriers that are facing hardship. SpiceJet, India’s version of Bonza, recently announced a 72 per cent reduction in its net loss versus last year. But, despite this improvement, the airline has posted losses for six straight years. But it has secured board approval to raise up to INR 30 billion […]

  • Attractions

SAKA Museum recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2024

AYANA Resort Bali’s newly-opened cultural and events centre, SAKA Museum has been recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places list for 2024. Part of AYANA Bali’s resort destination, the museum integrates Bali’s rich history with state-of-the-art facilities, making it the centrepiece for the island’s spiritual and cultural heritage. TIME magazine’s inclusion of SAKA Museum in […]

  • Cruise

Silversea taps Barbara Biffi as senior vice president for global sales

Ultra-luxury and expedition cruise travel brand, Silverseas, has announced Barbara Biffi as its new senior vice president of global sales. Biffi joined the company in 2007, holding numerous positions and gaining a deep understanding of the brand, the preferences of its guests and its strategic goals, the company said. An Italian national with a wealth […]

  • Technology
  • Travel Agents

Amadeus welcomes FCM Travel as new reseller partner of Cytric Easy

Cytric Easy, the travel management tool embedded in Microsoft Teams, is to be integrated into FCM Travel portfolio. Amadeus and FCM Travel have extended their Cytric distribution agreement to include Cytric Easy. With this new agreement, global travel management company FCM Travel, becomes a reseller of the innovative travel management collaboration solution embedded into Microsoft […]