BY LYNTON AARON FILIA
SOLOMON Islands government aims to boost the tourism sector by increasing international visitors by nine percent this year.
This is according to Prime Minister Rick Hou in his keynote address during the 2018 Tourism in Focus organised by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Solomon Airlines and Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau (SIVB).
Hou said tourism is an important contributor towards Solomon Islands’ economy, and that the government has always been a partner in the sector’s development.
To achieve this target, Hou said SIVB needs cooperation and support from the entire tourism industry in Solomon Islands to build the momentum with strategic approaches and effective marketing strategies.
“It needs to disrupt and challenge the status quo to realize tourism potential in Solomon Islands.
“Therefore corporation is kindly asked individually with the MCT, Solomon Airlines and SIVB and who they can work together with to push tourism in the global market.”
Hou assures his government will continue to develop the tourism sector through the introduction of the national tourism legislation.
He adds, his government will implement activities under the tourism division as part of tourism development programme with an aim to increase visitor arrivals and development of the tourism industry.
“This is to ensure efficiency in tourism standard and quality management. It will enhance a visitor’s level and improve competiveness in the industry,” Hou said.
In the coming days, Hou said they will launch its government policy priorities which should provide further insights into the needs of government’s policy directions in terms of the tourism sector.
