Honiara: The Solomon Islands Government’s appointment of an experienced Fijian national brings a new direction for the country’s tourism industry. The aim is to make the industry a top foreign income earner in 10 years time.
Minister for Culture and Tourism Samuel Manetoali said the appointment of Josefa Tuamoto as the new chief executive for the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau (SIVB) will bring a wealth of experience in marketing Solomon Islands as a tourism destination in the world.
“Mr Tuamoto brings to the bureau vast and a wealth of experience in the area of marketing,” he said at a Government-hosted dinner on Saturday to officially welcome Mr Tuamoto.
Solomon Islands’ struggles
The country’s tourism industry continues to struggle to increase its visitor arrivals each year.
It is for this reason the Government and Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau decided to recruit an expert to help promote the country as a tourism destination.
“I know there are lots of obstacles in developing our tourism industry, however, having someone like Mr Tuamoto is a step in the right direction in our desire to market our tourism industry,” Mr Manetoali said.
Long-term plan
The Government’s long term plan is to have tourism as one of the country’s top foreign income earner to create jobs and income for people and to help finance some essential services like health and education.
“That is why we need to spend more on our tourism sector and for any form of spending into our tourism is in my view an investment for the future of our economy,” Mr Manetoali said.
Tuamoto sights potential
In his remarks, Mr Tuamoto said there is a lot of potential in Solomon Islands.
But, he said it was crucial for all industry partners to work with a common goal in order to raise the industry to newer heights.
“I can see the potential that is here in the Solomon Islands but there is no silver bullet to solve the tourism industry problems in here and anywhere in the world,” he said.
Mr Tuamoto is expected to travel around the country soon to visit all tourism operators to set goals and targets under this year’s theme of “Taking a Step Change”.
“I know that with all the commitment and passion that we have, we will make tourism one of the key foreign exchange earners in the next five to ten years,” he said.
– Solomon Islands Government
Former Tourism Fiji chief executive Josefa Tuamoto.