SOLOMON ISLANDS TOURISM ON-LINE NEWS

APRIL 2007

Welcome to the April issue of the SIVB Tourism Newsletter. In this issue, the SIVB assesses the damaged cause by the April 2nd earthquake and Tsunami, Western tourism operators wants concesions to get back on their feet, new plane for Solomon Airlines and Solomon Islands makes it mark at the Melbourne Travel Expo.

KILLER EARTHQUAKE UNLEASHES SBD$4M TSUNAMI DAMAGE ON TOURISM INDUSTRY

The destruction of the April 2nd earthuake and tsunami in the Western and Choisuel Province has hit the Solomon Islnads tourism hard, costing operators and the industry over SBD$4million in damages.

A post disaster assessment by the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau found that 17 operators in the Gizo and Munda area sufffered an SBD3.1million in estimated damages to properties and equipments.

While the news of the 8.1 magnitude earthquake and tsunami overseas led to an estimated SBD$652,000 loss in cancelled bookings.

Despite the damage, SIVB General Manager Michael Tokuru says most of the operators are back in business with the industry expected to fully recover within a short period of time.

"Already most of the accommodation and dive operators in and around Gizo and Munda, when interviewed confirmed they hae re-opened for business.

"The quick recovery by the accomodation and dive operator in Gizo was greatly assisted by the resumption of Solomon Airlines flights to Gizo," says Tokuru.

The main problem currently affecting operators in the devasted zones are water shortages which continue to plague Paradise Lodge and some operators in Gizo.

The human cost of the impact has also been registered with industry workers losing loved ones, property and experiencing trauma in the destruction which claimed 52 lives so far.

The Gizo Hotel paid out about $30,000 to their staff to assist them in recovering from one of the worst natural disasters to hit the Solomon Islands.

The Visitors Bureau says operators in other parts of the country were not affected by earthquake and tsunami.

TSUNAMI AFFECTED OPERATORS WANT GOVT CONCESSIONS

Tourism operators in the Western Province are calling on the government to provide concessions, to help their businesses recover from the recent earthquake and tsunami to hit the area.

The operators, who have suffered over SBD$4million in damages, are calling on the government to provide GST exemption on capital items 

In addition the 17 operators in the Munda and Gizo area are asking the government to guarantee soft loans from banks as well provide a tax holiday on bed levies for up to a two year period.

Operators say any rehabilitation fund should be equally distributed among operators and government needs to assess operators regularly on their recovery process.

The operators have asked to be informed and updated on any rehabilitation and restoration programmes for the tourism industry.

One of the hard hit operators was Adventure Sports Dive in Gizo it’s equipment was severely damaged by salt and dirt from the tsunami.

Adventure Sports Dive owner Danny Kennedy told SIVB that boats, dive compressors and motors were among the equipment damaged.

He confirmed loss of SBD$118,158 in bookings leading up to June 2007.

Kennedy said he would need SBD$1million to get his business back to full operation again.

MAY DEBUT FOR SOLOMON AIRLINES’ E-JET

National carrier Solomon Airlines will introduce its new 75-seater E-Jet on May 1st to service its international routes.

The introduction of the new Embraer E-170 aircraft will see the airline introduce additional routes to its current, six round trip flights per week to Brisbane – via Espiratus Santo and Nadi.

The new jet, painted in national colours is the result of a strategic partnership with Australian charter operator SkyAirWorld and makes Solomon Airlines the first commercial carrier to use E-Jet in the region.

“The E-170 exemplifies our new direction and sets standards for comfort, reliability and fuel efficiency in its class,” said Solomon Airlines Chief Executive Officer Ron Sumsum.

Sumsum said the partnership with SkyAirWorld comes as the airline plans to upgrade its fleet over the coming years.

“We’re proud to partner with SkyAirWorld as a way to jumpstart that growth,” he said.

SkyAirWorld says their E-170 flies 12 per cent faster and 50 per cent than other aircrafts in its class.

The new E-170 aircraft should start its commercial flights by the end of May when it completes its CASA aviation requirements.

Visit the Solomon Airlines website for more information .

SOLOMON ISLANDS MAKES ITS MARK AT MELBOURNE EXPO

The two-day Travel Expo, held at the Melbourne Royal Exhibition was a success for the Solomon Islands.  Held over the weekend of the 14th – 15th April, it was attended by over 200 exhibitors. 

A Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau official along with representatives from the Uepi Island Resort and Dive Gizo & Munda manned the Solomon Islands booth, fielding an average of 60 enquiries per day.

Enquiries were made on snorkeling and diving sites, good fishing spots, kayaking activities and wedding and honeymoon destinations with over 400 brochures distributed to individuals and agents.

The event was a learning experience with the SIVB picking up some important points for the industry’s future marketing strategy.

The SIVB official noted the need for more visual attractions such as pan pipers, artifacts, handicrafts and specially prepared giveaway-packages.

SIVB looks forward for the Bula Tourism Exchange held from 15th to 18th May at the Sheraton Golf and Racket Club in Nadi, Fiji. The Bureau anticipates participation from Tourism Solomons Ltd, a local inbound Tour Operator to join the Solomon Islands booth.