VEZARC Seaview Bungalow Turning a Family Dream into a Tourism Opportunity

BY JOY OFASIA

A family holiday home in Olazae, Saeragi Village, on the western end of Gizo Island, Western Province, is developing into a tourism venture aimed at showcasing the beauty and hospitality of the Solomon Islands.

For Vertina Mesepitu, Operations Manager of VEZARC Seaview Bungalow, what began as a private family retreat has become an opportunity to welcome visitors, create employment and contribute to local tourism.

In an exclusive interview with TOURISM MEDIA, Mesepitu said the family initially built the property on land provided by Chief Elopala’s family to enjoy holidays together and experience the peaceful island lifestyle.

“Our initial idea was to build a holiday home for our family to spend our holidays and enjoy the serenity of the beautiful environment,” she said.

However, recognising Saeragi’s appeal as a tourism destination and the limited accommodation available, the family decided to turn the property into a guest house.

“Most travellers love to visit Saeragi for many reasons. At the time, there was not a lot of accommodation available,” Mesepitu explained.

“So noticing the gap, our family decided to turn our holiday home into a guest house rather than having it stay idle for the rest of the year.”

Despite its potential, establishing the business has not been without difficulties. Mesepitu identified limited promotion, slow guest bookings and low revenue as major challenges.

“Managing the property from Honiara has also made coordination difficult, while some workers require further training to strengthen their skills,” she said.

Despite these obstacles, the family remains committed to growing the business and improving its services.

Mesepitu said the makes the accommodation unique is its location in a scenic part of Saeragi, VEZARC Seaview Bungalow offering locally designed bungalows and permanent apartment-style accommodation. Facilities include fresh water, electricity and free Wi-Fi, while its location provides access to Gizo town, Nusatupe Airport, diving spots and nearby resorts.

“Also the surrounding natural scenery and welcoming community make the property attractive to local and international visitors,” she said.

Mesepitu believes locally owned bungalows can help promote the diverse cultures, traditions and natural attractions of the Solomon Islands.

“Locally owned bungalows can show different beauties of the Solomon Islands,” she said.

She believes such businesses can also generate employment for people who may not have completed formal education, as tourism requires practical skills in areas such as housekeeping, cooking, boat operations and tour guiding.

By employing local people and involving communities in tourism activities, bungalow businesses can help generate income and improve livelihoods.

However, she said operators continue to face challenges, including geographical isolation, rising operating costs, limited promotion and inadequate facilities in some locations.

The high cost of international airfares, concerns about political stability and the cost of living are also barriers to attracting more overseas visitors.

Mesepitu called on the government to provide greater assistance to locally owned tourism businesses through financial support, training programmes and tax incentives.

“I do think that the government should provide financial support by way of grant or subsidy to help improve tourism businesses grow and contribute more to the country’s economy,” she said.

She also stressed the importance of protecting the environment and promoting local culture through traditional foods, locally sourced building materials and facilities that respect the natural surroundings.

Over the next five to ten years, Mesepitu hopes VEZARC Seaview Bungalow will become a recognised destination for local and international visitors, while expanding its facilities and diversifying into complementary businesses.

“Our vision for our bungalow is to not only become known to both local and international visitors, but to be a symbol of their memories,” she said.

From a family holiday home to a developing tourism enterprise, VEZARC Seaview Bungalow reflects the aspirations of local entrepreneurs seeking to turn the Solomon Islands’ natural beauty and cultural heritage into sustainable economic opportunities.

For Mesepitu and her family, the goal is not only to grow their business, but also to share the unique island experience of Saeragi with visitors while contributing to the future of tourism in the Solomon Islands.