New Association Launched to Boost Tour Operators
BY TAVAKE SIMON HANA’AROA
THE National Association of Inbound Tour Operators (NAOITO) yesterday launch its Association and action summary plans at the Honiara Hotel.
As supported by the Tourism Department, Ministry Of Culture, and Tourism Solomon Islands, the simple but a very important Launch was a first milestone achievement and one of the many activities the association is planning.
“Today (yesterday) we are here to launch the National Association of Inbound Tour Operators.
“It is indeed a milestone pride for us especially in this time of crisis,” said NAOITO Chairlady Karen Cynthia Foimua.
The Chairlady said there were so much that was done and put in place by the team to form the association and that is through discussions and consultations with key stakeholders.
She said their commitments towards their inbound tour operations is a major factor they had never form the association in the past as it is now in the midst of the COVID-19, where much of their operations were severely affected by the global pandemic.
That eventually give them the much needed space and time to form the Association.
“As an independent association we will unite with one voice.
“We understand our struggle as we face the challenges in the tourism industry.
“We encourage each other and not see each other as competitors but partners complimenting each other,” Chairlady Foimua said.
NAOITO was founded to unite and support small, independent inbound tour operators in the country’s domestic tourism and travel sector, these includes local inbound tour operators (managers/directors) and guides.
It is a new chapter for domestic travel and tourism sector in the Solomon and it’s one of the first professional Associations of its kind in the country. The Association’s primarily aims to provide education, professional development and networking opportunities, resources, and exposure for local inbound tour operators in the travel and tourism industry.
In his key note address, the Minister for Culture and Tourism Bartholomew Parapolo MP has complimented NAOITO for their Milestone achievement.
“On behalf of my Ministry and the Government I congratulate the elected executives and members of the newly formed association.
“Your decision and initiative to come together and form this association shows your commitment to help develop and build our local tourism industry,” he said.
He as well asserted in his speech that the government recognizes the significant role the inbound tour operators play in the overall tourism value chain and travel distribution channel.
He assured the inbound tour operators that despite they operate their own individual businesses, they must learned the importance of pooling together to build and promote Solomon Islands as a desired tourism destination.
“I know it is going to be challenging therefore, I would like to warn the association not to repeat past mistakes by many association that were formed in colourful fashion but did not last.
“I wish the executive and members of the association a brighter future and I encourage the association to work together with my Ministry and Tourism Solomon as I’m sure they will provide assistance where possible to help the association to grow stronger,” the Minister for Culture and Tourism Bartholomew Parapolo said.
