‘Solomon’s Potential for Tourism is Endless’
BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
NEW Zealand Deputy High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands Ms. Kate Bradlow has said Solomon Islands Potential for Tourism is Endless.
She was addressing the key stakeholders of the ‘Tourism in Focus 2023 Summit’ at the Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara, on February 9, 2023.
Ms. Kate Bradlow said that tourism is an endless source of potential that can benefit all communities across all provinces in the Solomon Islands with a sustainable, inclusive, and economically viable livelihood.
“New Zealand’s (NZ) partnership with the Solomon Islands is wide-ranging and enduring and that’s including the long-standing commitment to the tourism sector which began in 2017.
“We support our circular economies that promote development outcomes that protect all people and the environment. Building on this country’s unique beauty, its incredible people, and its amazing culture,” Ms. Kate Bradlow told local tourism operators and other government representatives, stakeholders, including donor partners attending the Summit.
She said that partnership is essential to the success of the tourism sector in the country.
“I want to emphasize how we value the collaboration that we have had in this sector, with the ministry, with tourism Solomon’s, and with other development partners including Australia and IFC.
“This is an exciting time with the games coming up and with a range of activities that looking at longer-term tourism investment which would benefit not only Honiara but well into the provinces and the diversity of people within that.
“NZ looks forward to continuing this collaboration so that everyone together can, realize the incredible potential that this remarkable country, the Solomon Islands has.
“NZ will continue to support the connectivity of these provinces through work on the Airfield, at the moment operating in Segeh and Taro,” she said.
She recalled that the government of New Zealand (NZ) has previously delivered an emergency grant of SBD 4.5 million to specifically support local tourism operators in the Solomon Islands during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“NZ values the partnership of the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) and Australia in helping connects these provinces to the rest of the country.
“NZ supported tourism operators during the time of COVID-19, we delivered an emergency grant of SBD 4.5 million in terms of providing crisis support to 21 operators facing the devastating impacts of border closures and revenue cuts.
“Since that time we continue to provide support to owners of small tourism businesses through Business Link Pacific,” Ms. Kate Bradlow said.
Meanwhile, the NZ Deputy High Commissioner said that NZ has recently initiated a new phase of support in the Solomon Islands through a tourism recovery program which they will be providing technical advisory in grant funding to support the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and Tourism Solomons as well as small grant funding to support local tourism business operators.
“This support is valued at around SBD 30 million over five years and complements those investments we made in aviation. This is all part of building tourism as a key sector in the overall resilient economy of the Solomon Islands.
“NZ also supports technical advisory support to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Tourism Solomons, as well as funding to deliver on their priorities and to support the ministry to prepare Honiara for the 2023 Pacific Games with activities such as working with beach owners on how to prepare for the incoming tourists.
“NZ’s partnership with tourism Solomon will support digital marketing and online communication to maximize participation in the Pacific Games.
“NZ will also be working through the Business Link Pacific to provide further business advisory in small grant support to tourist operators as they look to rebuild from the difficulties over the last few years,” she added.
