Page 22 - IB April 2018

Pacific Tourism Report

Solomon Islands records an thanks to this that Solomon Islands have
become such a breathtakingly fresh des-
tination for those international travellers
all time high in tourist arrivals hardy enough to get off the beaten track
and look for a new and very different
experience.
Today World War II buffs and veterans
By Mereseini Marau-Totoka and their families – mostly American and
Japanese – SCUBA divers and surfers
2017 is proven to be Solomon Islands’ looking for the ultimate uncrowded wave,
watershed year in the destination’s visi- make up the bulk of the 24,000 or so in-
tation fortunes with the country cracking ternational travellers who visit every year.
the 25,000 mark for the first time in its One of the country’s biggest opportuni-
tourism history. ties from the perspective of tourism lies in
Tourism is seen as an economic saviour Gizo in Solomon Islands is a popular wedding destina- the fact that Solomon Islands holds strong
for Solomon Islands and is now positioned tion. Photo: File appeal for international travellers looking
as the one of the top six sources of foreign From the SIVB’s perspective, the organi- for something different - a unique ‘living’
exchange. sation ideally wants to grow the country’s culture, WWII history, romantic travel, bird
Figures released by Solomon Islands leisure market which currently sits around watching, diving, fishing, surfing, trek-
National Statistics Office (SINSO) show 35 per cent of overall international visita- king and yachting to cover just some of
a total of 25,709 international visitors tion. the niche tourism opportunities on offer.
travelled to Solomon Islands in 2017, a With new operators coming on board According to SIVB, the newly emerging,
10.9 per cent increase over the 23,192 in both traditional and developing source multi-faceted Solomon Islands can also
recorded in 2016. markets, the SIVB is confident this growth cater to every taste, desire and budget with
Australian visitor arrivals continue to will be achieved. its myriad choice of accommodation – from
dominate the 10,161 number recorded ac- Also an increase in the country’s ac- the ‘big gun’ hotels of the capital Honiara
counting for 39.52 per cent of all arrivals. commodation infrastructure, particularly to boutique resort accommodation, eco-
New Zealand (6.58 per cent of total) in Honiara where huge potential is seen lodges and home-stays dotted across the
and the USA (6.30 per cent of total) came coming from the MICE and related busi- entire archipelago.
in respective second and third in terms of ness traffic. SIVB’s primary role is to promote the
most important source markets with Fiji But there is a recognised need for more many and varied opportunities the des-
(6.26 per cent of total) and Papua New resources and investment to tap into and tination offers to international travellers,
Guinea (5.70 per cent of total) in fourth grow this area of the business. in the process fostering an appreciation
and fifth position respectively. A scattered archipelago of some 990- of the country’s unique culture, history
Albeit coming off a small base, the big- odd richly forested mountainous islands and natural environment and helping to
gest surprise came from Chinese visitation and low-lying coral atolls, Solomon Is- create a sustainable and environmentally
which increased by 47.1 per cent to reach lands has been attracting international responsible tourism industry to the benefit
1215 (4.7 per cent of total). tourism since 1568 when Spanish explorer of all Solomon Islanders.
Figures for the period January to De- Alvaro de Mendana first sailed into this Today, with full government support,
cember 2016 showed for the third year tucked away corner of the South Pacific. the SIVB is active both domestically and
in a row Solomon Islands’ international Mendana’s legacy can still be found with internationally and is playing a major role
visitation on the increase – 2016 was 7.3 most islands bearing Spanish names like in the country’s economic future.
per cent up on 2015. Guadalcanal, synonymous with World Development of the extremely lucrative
The government has gone on record as War II. cruise sector remains a key focal area of
saying it sees tourism becoming a top two Three hundred years later, Great Britian the strategy and one which the SIVB and
sources of foreign exchange within the had control of the entire territory. the tourism ministry have aggressively de-
next 5 to 10 years. Things changed dramatically during veloped in partnership with cruise compa-
According to the Central Bank of the World War II and Solomon Islands became nies- Carnival Australia and P&O Cruises.
Solomon Islands, currently tourism ac- a household name when the forces of Im- With Solomon Islands’ traditional eco-
counts for SBD447 million (US$60.702m). perial Japan invaded, the region becoming nomic bases - particularly the mining and
Solomon Islands’ Visitors Bureau in an the scene for some of the bloodiest battles timber industries moving into ‘sunset’
interview with Islands Business says that in the Pacific theatre and most famously mode, tourism is set to play a major role
priority is now being placed on tourism the battle of Guadalcanal where thousands in Solomon Islands’ ongoing economic
development. of Japanese and US servicemen lost their fortunes.
There are efforts in place to facilitate lives. Having a fully supportive government
growth under the country’s national tour- 2017 was particularly significant as it and proactive national carrier are critical
ism policy as well as bring focus to bear marked the 75th anniversary of the Gua- to the country’s tourism sector achieving
on upgrading tourism accommodation dalcanal campaign. its objectives.
and product. The British regained control in 1945 The SIVB is hopeful that there will be
New products in 2017 included the Coral and in 1976, the Solomon Islands became more accommodation built as the country
Sea Resort & Casino in Honiara and the self-governing before gaining full inde- approaches the 2023 Pacific Games, which
Ginger Beach Resort, located a short drive pendence in 1978. will lead to infrastructure development in
from the capital. Little has changed since then and it’s and around Honiara.

22 Islands Business, April 2018