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Minimum accommodation standard set for SI

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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By Ezekiel Talatau

MINISTRY of tourism and culture, moves to sets a minimum standard accommodation for tourism sectors industry in Solomon Islands.

The move of this minimum standard accommodation is a major step in the direction of tourism and it is a time for Solomon Islands to go into the international tourism stage and marketing, said Solomon Islands tourism industry CEO Mr Osefa “Jo” Tuamoto.

The minimum accommodation will be classified into 8 categories to meet the international standard.

To date, about 160 accommodation are been operated here in Solomon Islands and only 10 percent can be currently sold through international wholesale, offering Solomon island travel package.

The ministry of culture and tourism (MCT) Director Bunyan Sivoro, said that, the increase tourism is a national interest and it is a main benefactors that would eventually be the tourism operator themselves.

He added that the newly introduce accommodation scheme will significant upsurge tourism industry as a new chapter.

Minister of MCT, Hon. Bartholomew Parapolo during the launching at Honiara Heritage Park Hotel has said that, the implementing of such projects is essential in tourism sectors and I believe that, this project will set an international standard towards the tourism accommodation sectors

MCT director also highlights the influence of Australia foreign affairs and Trade DFAT enhance integrated network for their provision towards the project through financial support.

MCT also acknowledge the Australian volunteers through (DFAT) to take part in promoting and providing technical input to finalize the documents.

Tourism provides hope to country’s economy: PM

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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PM Hou delivering his speech

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela says tourism industry provides hope for country’s economy with aim to earn half billion this year.

Solomon Islands lies with untapped potential resources for tourism development including opportunities to beat logging industry.

PM Hou said, “Tourism industry provides hope for the economy and that hope is well placed, and that in 2018 we are expecting to earn half billion dollars in foreign exchange earnings.

“This target is very reachable and will greatly assist the country in addressing the issues of economic development, sustainable development and support social development such as mitigating urban drift by our youths.”

He explained to achieve the $1 billion target in the next five to seven years there is a need for a seismic change in the way we approach the industry.

“A total transformation is needed to achieve the exponential growth to reach the target,” he adds.

To achieve such target, Hou said there is a need for combined effort between government, the tourism industry private sector partners and overseas partners to realize this target.

“One of the key agenda for this seismic transformation as we go forward into the next 40 years is to re-look at how we position, promote and market ourselves as a favourable tourist destination,” he said.

Hou said with the forecasting of gradual decline in Logging Industry, tourism has been identified as potential industry to fill the void that will be left by logging Industry.

Tourism plays huge role towards economic development

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

WITH full government support, the national tourism office of Solomon Islands is active both domestically and internationally and is playing a major role in the country’s economic future.

According to Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau, tourism is seen as an economic saviour for the country.

Solomon Islands is one of the top six sources of foreign exchange and government record highlights tourism becoming a top-two source of foreign exchange within the next five-ten years.

Priority is now being placed on tourism development and an effort is being taken to facilitate growth under the country’s national tourism policy as well as bring focus to bear on upgrading tourism accommodation and product.

New constructs in 2017 included the Coral Sea Resort & Casino in Honiara and Ginger Beach Resort a short drive from the capital, SIVB said.

Development of the extremely lucrative cruise sector remains a key focal area of the strategy and one which the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Tourism Solomons have aggressively developed in partnership with Carnival Australia and P&O Cruises.

With the Solomon Islands, traditional economic bases – particularly the mining and timber industries moving into ‘sunset’ mode, tourism is set to play a major role in the Solomon Islands’ ongoing economic fortunes.

SIVB said, having a fully-supportive government and proactive national carrier are critical to the Solomon Islands tourism sector achieving its objectives.

It said currently tourism accounts for SBD447,000 (approx USD60,702,600)—Source, Central Bank of the Solomon Islands.

The current other main exports for the country are as follows:

  • Timber – valued at USD149, 536.29 million.
  • Crude palm oil – valued at USD21, 258.08 million.
  • Cocoa beans, whole or broken, raw or roasted – valued at USD11, 357.09 million.
  • Copra – valued at USD9, 288.09 million.
  • Crude palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions – valued at USD7, 825.72 million—source – Pacific Islands Trade & Investment.

“Tourism Solomons is hopeful more accommodation will come on line as the country approaches the 2023 staging of the Pacific Games which will see big infrastructure development in and around Honiara,” SIVB said.

Honiara population growth no match for density

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Honiara is developing very fast.

BY GEORGINA KEKEA

HONIARA and the surrounding urban areas have the highest levels of population growth in the South Pacific, and the population could treble by 2050.

A report on Urbanization said urban population growth will continue.

This means that people will need homes, land and service. However Honiara do not have the capability to meet such demand, thus it is important that proactive and innovative planning is needed to meet future needs of Solomon Islanders.

Home affordability is said to be a concern for many and more options are needed to house people residing in Honiara. The report said failure to engage in urban land issues could lead to law and order problems in the future.

Generally the report found that people were willing to work with the government or anyone else to achieve better services including community policing, stronger local governance and community projects. Greater economic opportunities and better access to services and goods are only in Honiara. But there is a call for more certainty of land tenure.

It is estimated that the population of Honiara could reach 350,000 by 2050. This is about 250,000 more than the population in Honiara now. It is projected that such a large number of people will put a lot of pressure on land, infrastructure and services. It is said that most of Honiara land is already settled with little space for more settlements.

Speaking to Radio New Zealand recently, Acting Lands Commissioner, Alan McNeil says the way people have been acquiring land in Honiara needs to be changed. McNeil said applications for government land needs to be stopped as there is a severe shortage of land.

“As the government land gets eaten over time, what’s left is either road reserved or very unusable land like very steep land and as people become more desperate, they are applying for those land. Basically there is no more land left”.

The Urbanization report however says planning for the expansion of Honiara and the surrounding region to best accommodate the estimated 39,000 additional households by 2050 will require ongoing community engagement.

The report said supporting urban development is a long-term challenge and so it is important to be realistic.

“Improving the way different levels of government coordinate is particularly important. Credible urban policy and planning is needed”.

Discovery Cruises for passengers to immerse in Solomon Islands culture and environment

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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MV Taka.
MV Taka.

NEWLY-formed Solomon Islands Discovery Cruises (SIDC) has announced its plans to operate six adventure itineraries in 2018-2019.

Operating ex-Honiara and timed to dovetail with Solomon Airlines’ Brisbane-Honiara services, SIDC has employed the 30-metre MV Taka to operate the six and seven-day cruises, each of which have been designed to highlight two of the South Pacific’s truly unspoiled and culturally-rich regions – the Florida and Russell Islands archipelagos.

Passengers will have the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in both region’s distinctive cultures and environments.

The cruise itineraries feature visits to remote villages along with plentiful opportunity to discover the region’s amazing coral pastures and abundant marine life with daily dive and snorkel options.

Both areas are also rich in WWII history giving passengers insight into the infamous Guadalcanal campaign in 1942 via the many wrecked US and Japanese aircraft, warships and relics which literally litter the seabed.

Congratulating SIDC on its initiative, Tourism Solomons CEO, Josefa ‘Jo’ Tuamoto said the very nature of the Solomon Islands archipelago of 992 islands lent itself to dedicated small ship adventure itineraries.

“Lindblad Expeditions left a big hole when it decided to redeploy its small ship operation to the Galapagos two years ago,” he said.

“And while we regularly welcome Expedition Cruises’ vessels, these itineraries are always in conjunction with other destinations, such as Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea, and passengers only get a very small taste of what we have to offer,” he said.

“Having a dedicated niche adventure cruise program, operated by a local company with local experts and one that offers insight into our unique culture, history and environment plus the opportunity to experience our amazing underwater world is a huge build on our existing tourism product.

“Add to this, the amazing benefits our local people will accrue from this environmentally-oriented program are immeasurable.

“This product is long overdue and one that I see as being highly successful going forward.”

Prices for an inaugural 24 August seven-day/six-night cruises lead in at AUD2499* per person in quad share accommodation inclusive of all meals and all activities.

A daily per person AUD30.00 ‘kastom’ fee applies. SCUBA diving gear is available to rent.

–SIVB

JICA lauded for recognising SI capacity needs

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

From left to right Harrison Vilerich Ara of MDPAC, Ms Martha Behulu Manaka and Motoyuki Uegaki of JICA.

SOLOMON Islands Government (SIG) through the Ministry of Development Planning and Aid Coordination (MDPAC) has applauded the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for recognising the capacity needs of the Solomon Islanders

This sentiment was revealed to this paper yesterday by Harrison Vilerich Ara, Principal Planning Officer of MDPAC.

“I would like to convey our appreciation to the Japanese government to Solomon Islands through JICA for recognising the capacity needs of Solomon Islands Public Officers and Civil Servants through up skilling of Human Resources seeing the challenges and gaps SIG have in terms of its workforce’s capacity needs,” said Vilerich.

He said therefore SIG through MDPAC is looking forward to continue to work more closely with the Japanese government in the near future with this same spirt of cooperation through facilitating the dissemination of this JICA’s training in the future.

Hograno highlands communities called to work together for school’s development

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

PEOPLE of Kolomola and Alu’Alu villages of Hograno Highlands in Isabel province are being called to work together for the betterment of Gagaolo Primary School.

This was raised by school head teacher, Renward Matesala who said that since the school was established five years ago, people have not been active in supporting the school.

He said that the only people who have come forward and helped the school are the students’ parents who did cleaning around the school compound and built staff houses.

Matesala stated that the school needs the support of everyone from these two communities to progress and not just the support of parents alone.

He added that if everyone worked together, the school can further develop.

Matesala strongly calls on Kolomola and Alu’Alu communities to support the school in its endeavors.

He also appeals to the people of Isabel province residing in Honiara to assist the school in any way possible.

Plea for support for new uni

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

THE archbishop of the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM) Reverend George Takeli has requested support towards the establishment of the John Coleridge Patterson University.

Reverend Takeli made this call on Thursday during the handing over ceremony of the University’s course materials in Honiara.

“I kindly plea for your kind support to our urgent initiatives and preparations towards the establishment of the John Coleridge Patterson University (JCPU) for our Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM),” said Takeli.

Takeli said the materials received on Thursday are part of the strategic initiatives and preparations towards the establishment of the JCPU which is the honourable goal of the ACOM.

ACOM sets pathway for primary in-service teachers

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Coordinator of John Coleridge Patteson College (JCPU) Fr Philemon Akao hands over the teachers’ course materials to the Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM) Reverend George Takeli while Patrick Duadua supervisor of the course advisory groups (left) and Christina Vunagi one of the course writer (right) stands beside.

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

Coordinator of John Coleridge Patteson College (JCPU) Fr Philemon Akao hands over the teachers’ course materials to
the Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM) Reverend George Takeli while Patrick Duadua supervisor
of the course advisory groups (left) and Christina Vunagi one of the course writer (right) stands beside.

THE Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM) has set another pathway in its education sector for primary in-services teachers to acquire diploma programmes.

This new development was witnessed through the handing over of teacher’s materials by John Coleridge Patteson University (JCPU) to the Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM) Reverend George Takeli yesterday in Honiara

The materials feature Diploma in teaching primary (in-service) course resources which focus on upgrading teachers who have achieved certificates in teaching primary.

Coordinator of John Coleridge Patteson University Fr Philemon Akao said the making of these materials is to set another pathway for primary in-service teachers to acquire diploma courses.

Also to address the need of accommodating and training more qualified and skilled teachers in the country since the Solomon Islands National University and the University of the South Pacific had expressed having less space.

“Because of this reasons we stepped in to provide another pathway for our teachers in the country as well as helping the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) and the Universality of South Pacific (USP) producing more qualified and skilled teachers,” said Akao.

On behalf of the Anglican Church of Melanesia ACOM Takeli, who is very supportive in this newly witnessed development, thanked the coordinators and members of the writing and assessment panel for their hard work towards the successful completion of the materials.

“The education materials we have received are also part of upgrading administration and charter of our Bishop Patteson Theological College with the aim of upgrading its academic, administration and legal premise to establishing the John Coleridge Patteson University for the ACOM.

“On behalf of the Anglican Church of Melanesia I thank the coordinators and members of the writing and assessment panels for your hard work in writing these education materials and to congratulate you all for our great achievement in completion of these materials,” said Takeli.

In relation to the production of these materials it was possible through the collaboration of secondary school teachers from St Nicholas and Norman Palmer and lectures from the SINU, Bishop Patterson Theological College (BPTC) and USP also including its advisory groups from the SINU, USP, BPTC and the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD).

Furthermore there are 12 courses in total and is expected to begin next year 2019. Classes will be held at St Nicholas College after normal classes in the evening from Monday to Friday.

Shock and anger over child rape case

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

GIZO

THE report of a rape case involving a four year old female victim in Gizo on Monday this week has sparked fresh fears and anger among concerned members of public.

They are concerned that rape in all categories is increasing, and it is sad that this trend should include rape involving children victims.

A Mr John Tano from Gizo believes that the recent incident should be a wake-up call for responsible authorities, churches, chiefs, leaders and parents to the need to have the issue of rape discussed openly.

He says this would increase awareness and stem the increasing trend.

“Culturally, rape is a sensitive matter that we must take action against now.

“I would like to call on the responsible authorities to seriously address and punish those who involved in rape activities.

“We are so worried and I would like wish to express my heartfelt sympathy for a 4-year-old girl from Nusabaruku who has been victims of this problem.”

Tano also appeals to members of public to always cooperate with authorities more so police in their investigations and report any information needed.

On Monday this week, an alleged rape case involving a four-year-old female victim and a 15-year-old accused was reported in Nusabaruku, Gizo.

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