BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE
MINISTRY of Culture and Tourism’s Minimum Standards and Classification Training programme is an avenue where the ministry and the industry are fulfilling a key component of the SI Tourism Development Strategy 2015-2019, thus implementing a policy priority of the current government which is also affecting the much needed improvement in our tourism sector as a necessary platform for its growth.
Permanent Secretary, Mr Andrew Nihopara stressed the above whilst addressing participants at the Heritage Park Hotel on March 27.
He highlighted that their new and approved SI Tourism Accommodation Minimum Standards and Classification system is critical towards improving the quality standard of tourism industry’s room inventory.
Nihopara stressed that on top of that, the system will also pave way for a marketable approach for the country in terms of enhancing the competitive aspects of our destination, boosting the confidence to sell Solomon Islands in the markets and it will as well bring a whole new approach in terms of how we meet visitor expectations and guarantee satisfaction.
To add on, he said that it is because of these objectives that the three day training program is very vital.
“In order for the standards and systems be rolled our effectively, the industry needs to be familiar with the new requirements and understand how it will work,” said Nihopara.
Furthermore, he encouraged the attendees to be agents of change and advocates for the new system.
“I thank you for your attendance and encourage you to be agents of change to understand the details of this new system and advocate for this within the industry and within your provinces. The Ministry (through the Tourism Division) will continue to secure the resources and incentives to support the extensive roll out of the standards in the coming years,” said Nihopara.
