SOLOMON  ISLANDS
TOURISM ON-LINE NEWS
OCTOBER ISSUE 2008

Welcome to Solomon Islands Tourism On-line News for the month of October.
This month features news on the, South Pacific Tourism Organization Council of Tourism Ministers Meeting and Board of Directors Meeting in 2009, Shanghai World Expo 2010, King Solomon’s newly opened bar, More local tourism training funded,  Solomon Airlines Sales Office uplifts face, Anuha Resort and Tourism Training for 2009 available and New executives for Solomon Islands Tourism Industry Association.

South Pacific Tourism Organization Council of Tourism Ministers Meeting and Board of Directors Meeting in 2009

Solomon Islands will be the next host of the Council of Tourism Ministers Meeting and the Board of Directors Meeting in October 2009. The proposal by Solomon Islands Government through the Ministry of Culture & Tourism was approved by the Board and the Council of Tourism Ministers during their meeting held in Niue on the 6th and 7th October 2008. Solomon Islands was represented at both meetings by the SPTO Director and the General Manager of Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau, Michael Tokuru.

The regional tourism meetings will be held in Honiara on 7th and 8th October 2009. Tourism Ministers, Directors and Officials of 14 member countries of the South Pacific Tourism Organization (south.pacific.travel) including Solomon Islands are expected to attend the meetings in Honiara.

Officials of the Ministry of Culture & Tourism and Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau will meet soon to discuss the formation of a Task Force which will be responsible for organizing the meetings in conjunction with the SPTO Office in Suva, Fiji.

Shanghai World Expo 2010

With regards to the preparation of the Shanghai World Expo 2010, the Council of Tourism Ministers noted that a Pacific Pavilion will be a component of the Shanghai World Expo and approved the initiative to engage a Manager and a Commissioner General for the Pacific Pavilion within the World Expo in Shanghai in 2010. TO ensure a successful Pacific Presence at the Expo, each member country is required to liaise directly with the South Pacific Tourism Organization (south.pacific.travel) in support of the work of the Manager and the Commissioner General.

The Council acknowledged with appreciation the financial and technical support given by the Chinese Government to the South Pacific region and in particular the support given to the establishment of the Pacific Pavilion and technical assistance to the South Pacific Tourism Organization.

Solomon Islands will participate at the Shanghai World Expo 2010 through the South Pacific Tourism Organization. As do other SPTO member countries of the Pacific which so not have diplomatic relations with China.

Officials of the Ministry of Culture & Tourism and SIVB will soon meet to discuss the formation of an In-country Organizing Committee to liaise with the South Pacific Tourism Organization in preparation for the World Expo in Shanghai in 2010.

King Solomon Hotel’s – Bamboo Bar

King Solomon Hotel, one of the leading Hotels in the Solomon Islands has just completed some of its renovations. Their new look is focus on their newly renovated bamboo Bar. The bar is open to its guests & members and signed in guests. It is fully air-conditioned. Their opening hours are 8 – 9pm daily.

More local Training courses funded by Solomon Islands Government

In fulfilling the expectation of the government in improving the standard of services provided for our visitors, the Department of Tourism has taken the initiative to coordinate short term training for more than 150 industry employees in the areas of housekeeping, food and beverage and quality customer service. A number of workshops have been held in Honiara, Tulagi, Munda and Gizo. More training workshops are expected to be conducted in other provinces.

Solomon Airlines Sales Office uplifts face

Solomon Airlines have just re-opened their newly refurbished Sales office. The new look in the Sales Office has opened up the premises and has lifted the morale and confidence of their staff. With Christmas coming around the corner, Solomon Airlines also have introduced a great new Crazy Pre-Xmas special from both ends ex Honiara and ex Brisbane.

The airfare is SBD$1999.00 including taxes from Honiara and from Brisbane is AUD599.00 return. Solomon Airlines serves 26 domestic routes and has flights from Brisbane, Australia, Port Vila in Vanuatu and Nadi, Fiji.

For more information on the specials please call 677-20031 (Honiara Office) or World Aviation Systems (Brisbane) on 617-34077266.

Anuha Island Resort

The Government is seeking a genuine investor for the redevelopment of Anuha Island Resort after it was closed more than a decade ago. In ensuring a conducive environment for potential investors, the Department of Tourism has held consultation meetings with the province and landowners and are due to sign a lease agreement soon. Tender submissions for the development of the island resort have been received and awaiting cabinet decision.

Tourism Training for 2009

As a long term commitment in developing a sustainable tourism industry the Government is establishing a school for tourism and hospitality studies at SICHE. The proposed school shall provide formal education to our people. Certificate in general tourism studies shall commence in February 2009. University of Waikato is assisting in developing a curriculum for this program. Australia and New Zealand will be the main source to provide further curriculum development for all tourism and hospitality programs that shall be offered when the School of Tourism and Hospitality is completed.

School of Finance and SICHE is spearheading the program commencing next year.

New Executives for Solomon Islands Tourism Industry Association

The former National Tourism Association of Solomon Islands (NTASI) is now called Solomon Islands Tourism Industry Association (SITIA).

The executives for the Solomon Islands Tourism Industry Association consist of all the local operators in the Solomon Islands.

The newly elected executives are;
 
Chairman –
Name: Wilson Maelaua,
 Position: Owner,
 Company: Destinations Solomons Travel & Tours Ltd, Trading as DESTSOLO Travel & Tours,
 Location: Honiara,
 Business Type: an In-bound Tour Operator,
 Phone: 94273/88150
 Email Address: destsolo@solomon.com.sb
 Vice-Chairman –
 Name: Geoff Allen,
 Position: Managing Director,
 Company: Coastwatchers Watersports Ltd.,
 Location: Honiara,
 Business Type: Full Service Dive Operator & WWII Heritage Tour Company,
 Phone: 21255/73672
 Email Address: coastwatchers@solomon.com.sb
 Treasurer –
 Name: Ian Ramoni,
 Position: Owner,
 Company: Attractions Technology,
 Location: Honiara,
 Phone: 77641
 Secretary –
 Name: Joyce E K Maetoloa,
 Position: Owner,
 Company: Solomon Host,
 Location: Honiara,
 Business Type: Hospitality Training & Events Management Company,
 Phone: 91080
 Email Address: solomonhost@solomon.com.sb
 
 Committee Member –
 Name: Steve Leo,
 Position: Tariff and Yield Officer
 Company: Solomon Airlines,
 Location: Honiara,
 Business Type: National Air Carrier,
 Phone:  97574
 Email Address: interline@solair.com.sb
 Committee Member – 
 Name: Lawry Wickham,
 Company: Koburutavia Divers Lodge & PT109 Restaurant & Bar,
 Location: Gizo, Western Province,
 Phone: 71244
 Committee Member –
 Name: Ms. Lisa Choquette,
 Position: Managing Director,
 Company: Solomon Dive Adventures,
 Location: Peava Village, Morovo Lagoon, Western Province,
 Business Type: SCUBA Diving Company,
 Phone:  69007 (Honiara only)
 Email Address: lisa@solomondiveadventures.com.sb

The first committee meeting is scheduled to be held on the 5th of November.   This will give the new committee a chance to get to know each other, get to know their roles and responsibilities, work out a priority list of the issues facing the industry and hopefully, come up with a few solutions at the same time.

During the AGM the Director of Tourism, Mr. Barney Sivoro, on behalf of the Minister, announced that the Ministry of Culture and Tourism will donate some office space to assist SITIA.   It will be located in their offices at the BJS Group of Companies Building in Point Cruz.  

The executives would like to thank those who made it to the meeting and would like the tourism operators to work together with them.