Collaboration between public and private sectors key to Solomon Islands tourism industry success

Honiara, Solomon Islands – Addressing more than 150 Solomon Islands tourism representatives in Honiara this week, Minister for Culture & Tourism (MTC), the Hon. Choylin Yim Douglas has underlined the critical need for the public and private sectors to join hands to ensure the success of the country’s tourism industry.

Attending her first Tourism Solomons-hosted ‘Tourism In Focus’ conference at the Solomon Kintano Mendana Hotel, Minister Yim Douglas said the industry had shown remarkable growth, largely due to the collective efforts, dedication, and resilience of those working in the sector.

“Our government recognises the immense potential of tourism to stimulate economic growth, create meaningful jobs and improve livelihoods for our people,” the Minister said.

“(And) To demonstrate our commitment to this vision, the government has significantly increased its budget support this year to the tourism industry, this increased funding is strategically allocated to trigger growth in targeted areas and to transform the sector in line with our bold ambition of achieving 100,000 visitor arrivals by 2035.”

Strategic initiatives, she said, are being implemented to meet these goals. These include product development and diversification, investment in infrastructure and accommodation, and aggressive marketing campaigns.

“The government is also focused on capacity building and training, and fostering collaborative partnerships with both local and international stakeholders,“ Minister Yim Douglas said.
“It requires a collective effort—a partnership between the public and private sectors with each of us playing our part.

“Through continued collaboration, we can build a sustainable future for the Solomon Islands’ tourism industry. Let’s continue to work together, with passion and perseverance, to achieve these goals and create lasting positive change,” she said.

Feedback now being received by Tourism Solomons indicates the ‘Expanding The Market Approach’ themed conference has proven one of the most significant ‘Tourism In Focus’ events in recent years with a strong line up of speakers and presentations fully underlining the positivity the industry feels as a collective.

In addition to an in-depth presentation by the Tourism Solomons marketing team’s domestic and international team members headed by Acting CEO, Dagnal Dereveke, speakers included representatives from the National Association of Inbound Tour Operators (NAITO), Dive Operators of Solomon Islands (DOSI), the Western Province Tourism Association and for the first time, presenting a united front for Malaita Province’s evolving tourism sector, an overview of the province’s prospects and activities given by Hazel Harohau of Authentic Mala Tours.

Pictured, Minister for Culture & Tourism (MTC), the Hon. Choylin Yim Douglas speaking at the 2025 ‘Expanding The Market Approach’ Tourism in Focus at the Solomon Kintano Mendana Hotel.