Sevens hosting golden opportunity for SI sport tourism potential

As the Solomon Islands begins final preparations for its hosting of next month’s 2024 Oceania Rugby Sevens Tournament, Tourism Solomons has described the event as yet another major opportunity for the country to show off its prowess in staging a major international sporting event.

The destination is bracing for the arrival of more than 500 athletes, officials, delegates and media, alongside a significant number of visitors for the tournament which takes place from 07-08 December at the National Stadium in Honiara.

The first Oceania Sevens event to be held outside Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, the tournament will bring together elite rugby talent from across the Pacific region.

Serving as a crucial qualification event for the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series, two men’s teams and one women’s team will earn spots to compete on the global stage.

Describing the event as a landmark moment for the Solomon Islands,  Tourism Solomons CEO (Acting), Dagnal Dereveke said the significance of the event, to be watched by a world-wide audience, offered a “huge opportunity” to cement the destination in place  as a premier venue for sports tourism following its successful staging of the 2023 Pacific Games.

“We have proven our ability to host major events and the economic impact for our tourism sector is evident, with many of those attending staying to explore our  islands,” Mr Dereveke said.

“With the best stadium in the South Pacific and our growing expertise, it’s time to bid for more regional events.”

Taking place in November last year, the Games provided a major economic boost for the destination’s tourism coffers with more than 5000 athletes, officials, media and spectators flying in for the event.

“Not only do we have the expertise to stage these major events,  we have an incredible tourism product to back it up – it would be remiss of us if we didn’t use the blueprint we now have in place,” Mr Dereveke said.

Mr Dereveke’s words were echoed by Solomon Islands Rugby Union (SIRU) President, the Hon. George Temahua, who said the tournament provided a golden opportunity for the  nation to showcase its potential and for its players to compete on the global stage.

“This event is not just a win for rugby but a win for the Solomon Islands, reinforcing our place on the global sporting map and boosting our tourism industry,” he said.

“We know from experience the immense benefits staging these types of events can bring to the Solomon Islands, both in terms of tourism and economic impact.”