PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela has described the Solomon Islands culture as the eye of the storm for tourism development in the country.
He was speaking during the opening of the Yam Cultural Festival in Small Malaita last Sunday.
He stated that if we are to make the country an attractive and unique destination, our culture should be the core activity for our tourism industry.
“I believe our cultural uniqueness is the attraction. So Cultural events like this would unlock the impasse to the development of Solomon Islands tourism industry.”
Acknowledging the fact that the country has very few cultural events, the Hon. Houenipwela reiterated that such events “will provide the much needed catalyst to this promising sector”.
According to Houenipwela, “The Yam Cultural Festival is intended to be a permanent event”, and therefore a cultural and festival village that was set up was intended to be the permanent home for the event, as well as other cultural events throughout the year.
The Prime Minister also took the opportunity to convey his gratitude to the organizers of the 2018 Yam Cultural Festival.
–OPMC PRESS
