The Solomon Islands government has reaffirmed its commitment to growing the country’s tourism sector, with Minister for Culture & Tourism, Hon. Choylin Yim Douglas, calling for stronger collaboration between public and private stakeholders.
Speaking at the Tourism In Focus conference in Honiara, the Minister highlighted the industry’s progress and outlined strategic initiatives to drive future growth.
A shared vision for tourism development
Addressing more than 150 tourism representatives at the Solomon Kintano Mendana Hotel, Minister Yim Douglas acknowledged the remarkable growth of the Solomon Islands’ tourism industry, crediting the collective efforts and resilience of those working in the sector.
“Our government recognises the immense potential of tourism to stimulate economic growth, create meaningful jobs, and improve livelihoods for our people,” she said.
To support this vision, the government has significantly increased its tourism budget for 2025. The additional funding will be strategically allocated to targeted areas aimed at boosting infrastructure, enhancing tourism products, and expanding international marketing efforts.
Ambitious targets for visitor arrivals
A key objective of the government’s strategy is to reach 100,000 visitor arrivals by 2035. To achieve this, the Solomon Islands will focus on:
- Product development and diversification to enhance visitor experiences.
- Investment in infrastructure and accommodation to support the growing number of travellers.
- Aggressive international marketing campaigns to strengthen the country’s presence in key markets.
- Capacity building and training programs to upskill local tourism professionals.
- Strengthening local and international partnerships to drive sustainable tourism growth.
“The government is also focused on capacity building and training, and fostering collaborative partnerships with both local and international stakeholders,” Minister Yim Douglas said. “It requires a collective effort—a partnership between the public and private sectors, with each of us playing our part.”
Industry confidence at Tourism In Focus
The Tourism In Focus conference, themed Expanding The Market Approach, has been hailed as one of the most significant in recent years, reinforcing the industry’s optimism. The event featured a strong lineup of speakers, including representatives from the National Association of Inbound Tour Operators (NAITO), Dive Operators of Solomon Islands (DOSI), and the Western Province Tourism Association.
For the first time, Malaita Province presented a united front for its evolving tourism sector, with Hazel Harohau of Authentic Mala Tours providing an overview of the province’s prospects and activities.
With increasing investment and collaboration, the Solomon Islands is well-positioned to strengthen its tourism industry, creating long-term benefits for local communities and the economy.
