Vale Kilo Paza – Solomon Islands mourns passing of eco-tourism warrior

Honiara, Solomon Islands – Tourism Solomons is leading the tributes for one of the country’s acknowledged eco-tourism pioneers, Kilo Paza, who passed away suddenly last week.

Mr Paza is acknowledged as having created a tourism blueprint for the Solomon Islands when he introduced Titiru Eco Lodge with just four hand-built bungalows on Rendova Island in the Western Province in May 2014.

Today, under his guidance the resort has grown to offer an expanded range of accommodation, including over-water honeymoon bungalows, and a host of environmentally-oriented activities for its guests.

The resort was officially opened in May 2014 by the late Tourism Solomons CEO, Josefa ‘Jo’ Tuamoto who said at the time the new eco resort had provided a perfect example of how tourism plant in the Solomon Islands needs to be developed into the future.

Mr Paza also played a key role, along with the late Tourism Solomons marketing officer, Stella Lucas, in creating a series of village visits with local Rendova Islanders which today rank as some of the most innovative and immersive cultural programs to be experienced anywhere in the Solomon Islands.

Paying tribute to Mr Paza, Tourism Solomons head of sales and marketing, Fiona Teama said he led the way in introducing a unique brand of responsible tourism product.

“Key to everything he did was conserving the Solomon Islands pristine environment while at the same time, doing everything to help to improve the welfare of the local people via tourism,” she said.

“Thanks to Kilo and his family, eco-tourism has become a by-word for an ever-increasing number of resorts and tourism-based activities across our entire country and we have much to be grateful for his wonderful legacy.

“The Solomon Islands tourism industry honours his memory not only as a true trail blazer, but someone who set for an amazing example which many of our tourism operators follow today.”

Pictured, Kilo Paza (third from right) with members of his team at Titiru Eco-Lodge.