TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN SOLOMON ISLANDSChallenges and opportunities for sustainable tourism development

ByBunyan Sivoro

Director of TourismMinistry of Culture & Tourism

IntroductionProfile of Solomon IslandsTourism sector performanceChallengesOpportunitiesConclusion

Outline

Location

Location map

Third largest archipelago in the South Pacific Consist of 992 Islands of which, 6 are the major

ones Divided into 9 provinces

Politically Independent – Parliamentary Democratic

Government. Prime Minister – Head of Government and Queen as

head of State represented by the Governor General

Profile of SI

Population About 600 thousand people

Melanesian, Polynesian & Micronesian

Major economic sectors Forestry/logging, Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining Contribute more than 80% of total GDP Tourism is next economic alternative sector It provides the greatest opportunity for sustainable

development unlike these extractive industries and the government has realised this fact.

Profile of SI

Tourism sector performance

Tourist arrivals in the Pacific

Cook Isla

nds Fiji

French Polyn

esia

Kiribati

Marshall

Islan

ds

New Cale

doniaNiue

Papua N

ew Guinea

Samoa

Solomon Isl

ands

Tonga

Tuval

u

Vanuatu

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

800,000

201020112012

 The Solomon Islands is served by five airlines:

Solomon Airlines (the national airline) serves the following international destinations:

o Brisbane (Australia) four times a week; o Nadi (Fiji) four times a week; o Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea) once a week; o Port Vila (Vanuatu) once a week.

Virgin Australia flies twice weekly from Brisbane.

Fiji Airways serves Nadi and Port Vila via Honiara once weekly.

Air Niugini operates three weekly flights from Port Moresby.

Getting to the Solomon Islands/Air accessibility

Estimate to have generated 501 million SBD in 2013

Around 5.3% of total GDPAround 4.5 % total employment

Economic significance of tourism

AustraliaNew ZealandUSA Europe

Major source market

Tourism Vs Extractive industries (eg. Logging and mining) Lake Tengano World Heritage site under threat of being

deregistered due to logging activities. Mining prospecting on the Guadalcanal Trek – which is

believed to have rich bio-diversity including some endemic flora and fauna species with more yet to be discovered.

Exacerbated by the fact that more than 80% of the land in SI is customary owned. Land/resource owners are lured by the short term benefits (quick $$$) provided by the logging & mining companies.

Key Challenges

A high untapped potential for growth. Not fully exploiting the potential provided by its natural, cultural and historical assets and attractions.

Our key sustainable point of difference lies in the country’s island geography, pristine environment and diverse traditional culture including the friendly people.

Increased support and recognition from the national government.

Learning from others experience 10 YFP Sustainable Tourism Program

Opportunities

Involvement of local people in the entire development process vital for achieving sustainable tourism development as they are the owners of most of the tourism resources.

Thank you !!!

Conclusion