2021 Tourism in Focus summit to set direction for domestic tourism

Honiara, Solomon Islands – Tourism Solomons CEO, Josefa ‘Jo’ Tuamoto has described the Tourism in Focus’ summit taking place in Honiara on Friday, as the most significant gathering of Solomon Islands industry leaders in the last 14 months.

More than 80 delegates have now registered for the ‘Lokal Tourism – Redefine, Readjust and Realign’ event at the Heritage Park Hotel.

The agenda for the 2021 event will see heavy focus on the opportunity domestic tourism offers in the current environment.

The summit will also discuss the steps the industry needs to take, both as individuals and as a collective, to ensure the sector is well prepared and ready to compete for when borders reopen.

CEO Tuamoto said while it was important to “look at where we currently are”, it was time to redefine where the industry sits after almost a year without international visitation.

“We need to look at how we can redefine the way we present our product internationally and move it towards a towards a domestic offering – hence the thinking behind this year’s forum theme,” he said.

“The opportunity is definitely there.

“But we also need to be thinking about the future and we will prepare for when international borders reopen, a time when our ability to successfully compete in the digital environment will never be more important.

“Key to everything will be everyone involved – from the ministry, airline and tourism office to our local hoteliers, other accommodation operators, transport providers and tour companies – all working towards fully agreed, fully aligned set objectives.”

The summit is the next chapter in the MCT/Tourism Solomons ‘Five Point Strategy’ launched mid-2020 aimed at boosting the country’s domestic tourism numbers, in the process increasing revenue-based opportunity for the country’s severely-impacted tourism industry.

For more information on the event and registrations, contact Tourism Solomons via email at info@tourismsolomons.com.sb or telephone 22442.