After ten years in the role, Tourism Solomons is losing its highly regarded Marketing Manager, following the announcement that Freda Unusi has stepped down to spend more time with her husband, four children and granddaughter.
Tourism Solomons chairman, Chris Hapa, said while the team was very sorry to see Freda leave, the organisation would reflect on how fortunate it had been to have had someone of her calibre on board for such a long time.
“She might only be a very small person in stature, but Freda’s reputation is huge and she is held in very high regard indeed, not only by her industry peers in the Solomon Islands but right across the South Pacific and beyond.
“In her time with Tourism Solomons, she has achieved innumerable milestones, all of which have played a role in helping to create a sizeable international profile for her beloved Solomon Islands and by extension, increased international visitation.
“Two in particular stand out – the role she played in managing what represents our biggest ever marketing exercise, the rebranding of the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau (SIVB) to Tourism Solomons.
“Add to this her part in initiating the ‘Me Save Solo’ tourism exchange which after two years is fully cemented in place as one of the South Pacific’s ‘must attend’ events for international buyers.”
Mr Hapa also acknowledged the leadership shown by Freda in times of crisis, particularly in April last year when the Tourism Solomons team and the wider local tourism industry were left reeling following the tragic deaths of much loved colleagues Stella Lucas and Chris Nemaia.
The Tourism Solomons board is expected to announce her replacement in coming days.
