BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

AN increase of 70 percent has been recorded for international visitor arrivals into Solomon Islands in the last quarter of 2017, it is reported.

National Statistics Office data shows that international travelers into Solomon Islands is 67.8 percent more than the 1,428 recorded for the same period in 2016.

With this impressive increase, the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau’s CEO, Mr Josefa Jo Tuamoto described it as ‘gone off the Richter Scale’ – which shows Solomon Islands continues to shine in tourism destination.

Speaking in the Global Travel Industry News, Tuamoto said the figure symbolizes the country’s biggest-ever monthly intake since SINSO first started recording international arrival figures in 1990.

“This truly represents a watershed moment for the Solomon Islands and keeps us bang on target for a very strong finish to 2017,” Tuamoto said.

Meanwhile, last year international visitors show Australians dominated with 7,317 total recorded for September representing a 7.41 percent increase of the 6,812 recorded in 2016 and accounting for 37.2 percent of all arrivals.

Second on the list is New Zealand arrivals which jumped from 1,136 to 1,286 with an increase of 13.2 percent especially during the All Whites FIFA World Cup clash with the Solomon Islands at Honiara’s Lawson Tama Stadium.

US numbers too improved with an increasing 9.11 percent from 1,152 to 1,257 while Papua New Guinea and Fiji visitation numbers also increased, by 8.67 and 6.7 percent, respectively.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

POLICE has confirmed the death of the provincial member for Longgu ward, Guadalcanal province.

Supervising Commissioner Juanita Matanga said the cause of death is still unknown and police are still investigating the incident.

She confirmed that the deceased is a MPA and a native of Rere Village in Guadalcanal.

Police received the report on Wednesday and the National Criminal Investigations Department and Naha Police CID are investigating the death incident.

Ms Matanga said that she will not further comment but called on the public who may have information to contact the police.

Police also confirmed that the deceased was transported to the National Referral Hospital for a post-mortem to be conducted.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

SUPERVISING Police Commissioner Juanita Matanga says that Police are yet to establish the cause of death into the death incident at the Delight Bakery factory.

Speaking during the Commissioner’s weekly media conference, Ms Matanga said that investigation is still ongoing and police are calling on people who may have information about that incident to come forward and assist police in their investigation.

She said at this stage she will not comment further on the issue as investigation is currently ongoing.

Matanga also acknowledges the support from the deceased’s relatives for their understanding and allowing police to carry out investigations.

She thanks them for not taking the law into their own hands, despite their grievances.

She said it was an unfortunate incident and police shares their condolences to the families and relatives of the deceased.

On Monday, January 22, a man lost his life in the Delight Bakery factory.

It was alleged the deceased died inside the factory. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of the person.

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

FOREIGNERS working in restaurants who do not speak English and pidgin fluently is proving a major setback for the Honiara City Council (HCC) joint inspection.

Chief Health Inspector for HCC Mr George Titulu said the matter has become an obstacle for HCC in terms of working to meet deadlines of compiling of restaurants’ reports each day.

He said if foreign restaurant vendors at least learn basics of these two languages, it will help in accelerating HCC‘s inspection on per restaurant within the capital.

Titulu adds in this case they underwent an approach by having a translator available during and when assessing restaurants to help give out straight forward and accurate information.

This approach has helped HCC to at least target restaurants each day.

Moreover he adds ineffective communication issues will also go as far as affecting the working employees of restaurants and will cause conflict.

He also stressed that ineffective communication is identified as one contributing factor for restaurants’ lack of compliance to HCC’s food regulations.

“However it is vital everybody use English to communicate so that we can all on the same page when it comes to fulfilling city’s regulation,” said Titulu.

By Taromane Martin

THE Solomon Islands Rugby Union Federation (SIRUF) says they will be hosting a national 7s tournament in Fiji in March for Solomon Island descendants.

A statement from SIRUF CEO Mr Gerald Oiaka said this will be the first time for the federation to host a national 7s event outside of the country.

Mr Oiaka said the purpose of hosting this tournament is more on building relationships with Solomon descendants in Fiji through playing the game of rugby.

The CEO also confirmed that the country’s national 7s team will be attending this one day competition as they prepare to also attend the Marist 7s competition in Fiji which will also kick off in March.

He adds that as part of their vision in building ties in Fiji, SIRUF will be inviting a team over for the Solomon SPO 7s which will be made an international tournament this year.

“The National Senior squad will be going to Fiji on March 12 to participate in the SOLTUNA 7s which will be hosted in Fiji for the Solomon decedents,” Mr Oiaka said.

“This will be the first time for SIRUF to host a National Tournament outside of the Country. The tournament will be sponsored by SOLTUNA Company and is a one day tournament set for 17th of March, 2018.

“The purpose of the tournament is more on building our relationships with our Solomon descendants through playing rugby.

“Last year, friends of Malaita help to bring over five Solomon descendants who are connected to Kwaio. Rugby helps them connect to their tribe’s men and women who they have never seen before.

“They were able to visit their families in Kwaá village in West Kwaio. From the Soltuna 7s, they will be able to select their team to come over for the Solomon SPO 7s in July.

“The Solomon SPO 7s will be an Intentional 7s tournament that we will expect teams from overseas to come and compete with our teams,” he said.

“SIRUF expect 12 teams to participate in the SPO 7s tournament. After the Soltuna 7s, the National 7s team will remain to participate in the annual Marist 7s tournament on the 23rd and 24th of March, 2018.

“The team will return on the 27th March for the National 7s Tournament on the 31st March and 2nd of April, 2018.

“The Marist 7s Tournament usually have a total of 64 teams from Fiji and interested clubs outside of Fiji participate,” he adds.